His screams were drowned out by the rest of the battle. But they were not the screams of fear as most others had done, it was rage. An indignant rage sprung from the fear he refused to acknowledge that he'd felt in the face of this... this child!

"RAHHH!" The soldier blasted Ayaan with his fire, instinctually using it to create distance. The water tribe warrior avoided it, feeling the tingle of the fire just a hairs breath away from his skin.

The soldier couldn't believe that he let his thoughts wander like that. He was fire nation! A higher class than any of these lowly, peasant scum! How was he letting this... this child get to him like this?! A peasant! A slave! It was an atrocious breach in his sense of pride.

'What gave me the right...?'

"I gave myself the right!" He bellowed, masking his fear with arrogance as he lunged at Ayaan. A blaze of flames went to the left, followed by a fist to the right. Despite his initial shakiness, the soldier was decent in battle.

The clash of metal rang out, spear meeting spear in a series of quick and precise motions. Left, right, above, and below. A sweep just above the floor. Counter, block, parry. Ayaan was pleasantly surprised that this scumbag was a very decent fighter.

As he'd suspected, the fire nation soldiers here were much stronger than the ones he'd faced before.

"I am an elite!" The bender shouted, blasting him with another fist of flames, "I don't need to explain myself to a lowly slave!"

He thought that maybe Lee had been exaggerating when he'd answered him. This boy, sure, was trained well, but so was he. It did not matter his stature or his weapon. He could take him, he was proving that now with their continuous exchange of blows.

But his thoughts stopped cold when he saw his face.

'He's... smiling? Why is he smiling?'

Ayaan was smiling. No, he was laughing. He wasn't afraid of him at all. He wasn't cowering at the fact that he was strong nor did he bat an eye at his show of bending.

'The prince's fire bending was much more than this, but...'

But this piece of garbage wasn't a bad fighter. In fact, he was much better than the ones Ayaan had previously encountered. Unlike his fellow guards, he did not insult the spear he wielded. He knew how to use it well, and was putting up a fight with Ayaan with it despite how different it was from his own.

The boy found a vicious smile growing on his face. "Finally."

The sudden barrage of devastating hits earned pained grunts from the firebender, the battle between them shifting dangerously. "What the─"

"A stronger prey."

He finally had someone he could fight a little more seriously with, something he'd been missing for weeks. As a person that loved to train, that loved getting stronger, this was an opportunity he could not let escape.

'Maybe I should thank Katara.'

It was then that the fire nation guard realized his gut hadn't been wrong.

This wasn't a child.

This was a monster.

•───────•⋅•⋅⊰∙∘ ∘∙⊱⋅•⋅•───────•

Now that the coal had been released and the earthbenders' will to fight was ignited, absolute chaos ensued on the prison rig. Almost everywhere one looked, coal was being lifted, condensed, and launched, used as a defense against volleys of flying flames and metal blades.

Sokka and Momo were working together, taking all of the weapons they could away from the enemy, leaving them the only option of their firebending. Aang was holding his own, too, using his expert airbending skills to assist the earthbenders.

Then, there was Ayaan.

She thought she'd seen him fight so many times by now, but only now did she realize she hadn't seen anything at all. She never realized how much he truly held back when he trained them, or even in simple, daily things.

He was her kind, quiet brother. He loved animals and was always gentle in the way he interacted with things he cared about. Even when sparring with them, he never used more than a portion of his strength.

But now, Ayaan was an unstoppable force, plowing through firebenders left and right. His movements flowed smoothly, each one being something he had practiced hundreds, if not thousands of times.

Effortlessly beautiful and equally deadly. A cold gaze and vicious smile. He was agile and powerful, yet quiet all the same.

A river. He was like the rapids of a dancing river, uncaring of the obstacles on its path toward the endless sea.

And if her sight weren't blocked by the hoards of people fighting in every direction, she would have noticed, for a fleeting moment, the splashes of red that briefly followed his every move.

'Focus, Katara!' She had to break her focus from that to concentrate on herself, and the scared people in front of her.

"Please, listen!" She called, stopping those few people who stood unsure of which path to take.

The third faction, those that were neither protectors nor fighters. The lonesome people who had lost their will to fight the oppression. They had been stuck for too long just trying to live, that it became commonplace for them to only care for their own lives.

While the protectors led by Tyro helped the elders and children, and the fighters that followed Yon battled with all of their might, they stood still, both unsure and unwilling.

"Earthbenders! You don't know me, but I know of you. Every child in my Water Tribe village was rocked to sleep with stories of the brave Earth Kingdom, and the courageous earthbenders who guard its borders."

Hearing her address them by titles that were like a pleasant memory for them, they steadily began to focus on her. Slowly, but surely, more and more of them gave her their attention.

"Some of you may think that the Fire Nation has made you powerless. They took away a part of you, trapping you here." She gestured to the metal walls of the rig, some of them clenching their fist at the reminder. "But they could never take away the courage I know is still within you.It runs deeper than any mine you've been forced to dig, any ocean that keeps you far from home!"

She, in this last chance, wanted to somehow get through to them. She wanted to prove to Yon that there was good inside of these people. She wanted them to prove to themselves that they still had hope inside of them. That deep down, they hadn't lost what made them the proud earthbenders she'd heard about.

So she looked around, staring each of them in the eye, "It is the strength of your hearts that makes you who you are. Hearts that, thought tried again and again, still continue to beat when all rock and stone eroded away."

Her words resonated throughout the courtyard. Some benders that were already fighting cheered, their motivation sparking something within those who hadn't.

Before, they had been trapped in a sea of metal. They had no hope for the future, they had lost too much to bank on the thought of hope. But now...

Now...

"And now, you have the stones at your very feet again." Katara's voice echoed, loud and clear, "There is nothing holding you here anymore! You have nothing more to fear from them! The time to fight back is now, with the comrades who've been with you through it all!"

Katara was a person who acted on her emotions. She spoke from the heart, a place real and true and strong.

"The Avatar has returned!" She repeated, having told them this fact before, "With him on our side, there is hope for a better tomorrow! Grasp onto it! Fight for it! Your fate is in your own hands!"

Their battle cries became louder, bellowing like a song of war against their oppression. Their anger, hope, and will resonated as Katara lifted a piece of coal to the sky.

"Here's your chance! Take it! For your home, for your family, for your freedom, let us fight together!"

Unlike the quiet she'd gotten as an answer before, now was much different.

"FOR OUR FAMILIES!" Came one.

"FOR OUR HOME!" And then another.

"FOR THE EARTH KINGDOM!" And then more followed them, joining in the battle and changing the tide.

A smile, wide and bright, graced her face. Whipping out her water pouch, which had been graciously returned by the ever-helpful Momo, she too joined the battle. She was an expert at it now, flicking her wrist with ease and smiling when they accurately hit their target.

Yet even though her words managed to touch many, not all were swayed from their cowardice and self-preservation.

"No... No!" It was the greasy, stocky one from before. "I refuse to die here... I won't!"

He didn't care for something like family. He never thought of any place as home. He survived by only caring for himself, fending for himself, and protecting only himself. It didn't matter who got hurt in the process or the lows he had to stoop to.

"I won't waste my life for a fantasy!"

Some of the others had this same mindset, preferring escaping to fighting. They pushed and shoved, not caring if it was their fellow man. The metal door that trapped them was ajar from the reinforcements of the firebenders coming in.

Why fight when they could run? This battle was the perfect distraction.

"No!" Katara, who noticed them running away, called out to them, "Where are you going? You're people need you!"

Every man was a great help in this fight, as the rig had many guards who were strong, as Ayaan suspected they'd be.

Then they pushed a youth in their path, the sight enraging Katara, "What are you doing?!" She rushed to their side, helping the young lad the cowards had knocked over to their feet again.

The man glared at her with pure disdain. "Surviving."

"You would forsake everything you know? Your home? Family? Friends? You own people? Just to save yourself?!"

Yon's words echoed in her mind.

'My line? It's very specific, and really simple.'

The fear in the man's eyes was clear, as he grabbed her by her collar. Katara wasn't large by any means, he picked her up with ease. She remembered things that Tyro had told her about why even children were taken.

Whether they were able to properly bend their element or not, they were naturally stronger than others. Women, children, elderly, it didn't matter, as they were all blessed with that innate strength.

This fact was being used against her right now. Even with her training, she could break through the grip he had on her. She was taken off guard by the sudden action, not noticing the fire bender closing in on them.

'Do not betray, degrade, or cause intentional harm to your own.'

"All that matters..." He said, "...is my own life!"

'And they fucking crossed it, many times, to save their own ass or make themselves more comfortable. It fucking disgusts me.'

He tossed her at the incoming firebenders like a rag doll, using her as a shield.

"Katara!" Before she collided with anything, she was caught by another. Looking up, familiar snow-white hair drifted into the corner of her vision. Her brother's enraged eyes were locked on the inmate that had thrown her, the firebender behind him already down before she had blinked.

"Ayaan...?"

"Are you okay?"

"I..." What had just occurred hit her all at once, her body trembling.

She'd been thrown, literally thrown, at an enemy... as a distraction. A person with no regard for any other had used her as a human shield to make their getaway. It didn't matter that she was a child, a female, or someone who'd wanted nothing more than to help...

He was willing to hurt her...

No... he was willing to kill her...

Just to save his own life.

The pure, unadulterated fury in Ayaan's gaze was suffocating as a ferocious series of attacks bombarded the man trying to flee. A sickening crack echoed into the air, followed by the pained cries of the pitiful scum.

"Who said you could touch her?"

The bottom of his spear collided with the man's face, sending teeth flying. His fist followed it, the sound echoing throughout the field only to be drowned out by the battle still going on. He hit him again, and again, and again.

"Ugh! Ack! AHHHH!"

"Answer my question, you filth."

The man, beaten black and blue within moments, was quivering beneath the enraged white wolf above him. Its fangs were snarling, ready to tear him apart.

He had just been in a better mood after finding an opponent he could actually fight. It was an exertion that he actually missed feeling. He felt lighter thanks to the release of his anger and frustration through a fulfilling battle against the enemy.

He thought he'd finally gotten a reign on his rampant emotions again.

"Who said you could touch her?"

"Pu-puless...! I-m sow-wry, I wus wonng...!"

But then this happens, and he remembers exactly why he was stressed out in the first place. The ease he felt vanished, replaced with the all too familiar anger, hate, and agonizing worry.

He was going to hit him again when trembling hands wrapped around him.

"S-stop, Ayaan. Please... please stop."

It was like cold water was drenched over him. Ayaan dare not move another inch after hearing the fear in his sister's voice.

Again.

He'd let his emotions get away from him, again.

Shame overtook his fury. All of the things he didn't want to happen were happening. What was it that his brother always said? Ah.

'The universe hates me.'

Sighing, he turned towards her, checking her over with fleeting, gentle movements so as to not scare her further.

It was the last thing he ever wanted to do.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly.

"Y-yeah." Seeing his clear intentions, she was able to calm herself down. She had never seen him get like that before.

"I'm sorry for scaring you." He did not hide his shame, but Katara was quick to shake her head.

"No! No. It... it's okay. Thank you for saving me."

"It's my job as your brother to protect you." He said.

Her eyes drifted to the pitiful man, and the memory of what had just happened hit her. The disbelief over what had just occurred transformed into silent anger. "Let's... let's go."

Her thoughts from before truly had been naive. Not everyone wants to be saved, and not every deserves to be saved, either. She had learned the hard way that it wasn't just those of the fire nation that could be heartless and unforgivable.

"Are you sure you are okay?" Ayaan continued to fret over her, uncaring of the now unconscious men around them. All he cared about was if Katara had been hurt. It was his promise to protect them, and he almost let something happen because he was pummeling the guard that belittled his parents.

Because he was enjoying being able to fight freely for the first time in a while, he almost let something happen to her.

That guard wasn't too far off from this inmate, a broken, bloody mess.

"Yes, Brother." Seeing that scary look in his eyes fade into one she was familiar with, a sigh of relief escaped her. She used her bending to wipe away the blood from his fist, noticing how he was avoiding touching her because of it. "Thank you."

Feeling the cool water grace over his fingers, peace steadily returned to him. Any source of water was able to calm him, and being able to sense the waves of water below them helped him further. Taking a few soft breathes as he concentrated on the feeling, he voiced his thoughts for the moment.

"Stay with me. Do not stray."

"You don't need to stick with me, Ayaan," Katara denied, "Despite what just happened, I can handle myself."

"No." He said firmly. "I must make sure you stay safe."

"But, Aya─"

"Please, Katara. Just... listen to me."

At that, she couldn't say anything. The shake in his voice, though he tried to hide it, was clear to her. A sigh escaped her, "...Okay."

With that part of the courtyard clear of enemies, they left together to search for any others that needed assistance.

"Where is everyone?" She asked.

"Sokka is with Appa. He and some other earthbenders are taking care of the ferries. Momo is towards the south collecting the weapons. Aang is playing with the children."

"Aang is doing what now?" Katara looked into the crowd and sure enough, the young Avatar was indeed surrounded by children.

"Load some more coal guys!" Aang shouted, playful glee in his eyes, "Next shot's worth ten more points! Who's gonna win!"

"Oh! Me! Me! Let me load the wind cannon!"

"Nah! It's gonna be me!"

"I'm gonna put in the biggest pieces I can find!"

"Everyone grab a bunch and put it in together!" Aang placated, the children's eyes shining at the idea, "We'll make a super coal blast!"

The children raced to find the best chunks of coal, quickly filling the tunnel of wind as Aang expertly aimed and fired it. They cheered when yet another enemy was pummeled by a barrage of black rocks.

"Yay!" One cheered. "Mega Coal Strike!"

"We got him! We got him!" Another soon followed.

"Yeah! Take that meanie!"

"Let's do it again!"

Katara could see their mothers and fathers fondly watching the scene, before going back to wreaking havoc on the remaining enemies. It truly was just like the stories her grandmother told them. She could see their courage and strength shining within every movement they made.

Haru and Tyro were among them, a smile on their faces at the fact that they could bend their element together again.

But not all were pleased.

"Tsk." The Warden could clearly see that this battle wasn't going in their favor. All of his attention fell on the main problem in this field.

Surprisingly, it was not our spear-wielding Ayaan that he was glaring at. No. While Ayaan's contributions were massive, there was someone else that practically laid waste to his forces.

"How dare you, you wench?! You've been a thorn in my side for the last time!" The Warden spat, shooting powerful fire blasts at her. This prompted his men to fire, too, combining their efforts. Waves of heat could be felt from the attack, prickling at the skin as it contrasted heavily with the bitter cold of the rig.

"Miss Yon!" Katara was ready to rush in to help her, but Ayaan stopped her. "Why?! Why are you stopping me?! She's in trouble!" She struggled against his hold, but her brother didn't budge, "Ayaan!"

"There's no need."

"What do you mean?!" How can there be no need to help when she'd been surrounded on all sides by fire!?

"Exactly what I said."

He thought he said that clearly. How was she not seeing what he was seeing?

"Damnit, Ayaan!" Katara cried, frustrated with her brother, "I don't have time for our horrible communication─Huh?"

She turned away from him, coming upon a scene she couldn't quite comprehend. "What is... How is..."

Watching as understanding finally dawned on her, he spoke what he thought was obvious, "She needs no help."

Yon had a wall of black earth surrounding her, but that wasn't just it. It spun rapidly, glowing as it absorbed the heat of the flames. Brighter and brighter it got until it was blinding, the heated rock melting a bit of the metal floor below her.

The guards stopped shooting as they witness this bizarre display.

"Wh-what is happening?! How are you not burned?!" The Warden, now extremely wary of his opponent, stumbled back until he fell flat on his ass.

She laughed. "You were trying to burn me? With those bitch-ass flames? That's the best joke I've heard in months."

Ayaan watched as the abnormally tall woman cracked her knuckles, walking up to the man in charge of this horrible place with a smirk on her face. She let her wall fall, the molten substance easily seeping through the ground. Only a few coals were left in her hands.

The three coals she gathered spun, speeding up until their black shells began to blaze. Everyone watched in awe as a sub-element only Avatars were known to wield was revealed.

"You thought you were the only one that can bring the heat? You thought what you threw at me was hot?"

Yon wasn't just an earthbender.

"Let me teach you what heat means."

She was a lavabender, one of, if not, the first naturally born in the world.

•───────•⋅•⋅⊰∙∘ ∘∙⊱⋅•⋅•───────•

The next chapter is available on my : Jhstories101