Alright guys here's the twelfth chapter of my ATLA story. Anyway, quick things to point out if you haven't noticed.
Text Like this = Someone thinking to themselves
"Text Like this" = A conversation (for those of you who don't know.)
TEXT LIKE THIS = A full on shouting match
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. That goes to the creators of the story Bryan and Mike
Chapter 12: A New Technique
Aang's jaw dropped. "Wait, Lava bending?"
"Yes, that is what I said before you repeated it."
"How though?"
The old man raised his hand indicating him to shut up. "I was getting to that. Anyway, you know that there are four elements; Fire, water, earth, and wind?
Aang nodded.
"Well you can use a combination of those elements to create something else. For example you can create Lava bending by simply using Earth and Fire bending."
"How? Exactly?"
"It has to be a combination of both elements. However, they both have to be in sync in order to achieve this."
"Ok…?"
The old man sighed. "You're not getting any of this are you?"
Aang stood firm. "No, sir I do not."
"Figured as much. I'll try to explain again."
"Please do. But make it a lot easier."
"I don't know who your teacher was, but boy do I have some massive respect for them."
"Why's that?"
"Because of how someone was able to teach you anything. Where your teacher found the patience to teach you is beyond me. I mean give me a break."
"Tell me what you really think."
"Alright I'm gonna try to explain this as easy as I can… Firebend with your right hand."
Aang nodded. He proceeded to follow orders.
"Alright… Now Earth bend with your left hand.
Aang followed orders.
"Now… Focus is important. Try doing both at the same time."
Aang closed his eyes shut. He thought of nothing but synchronizing both elements at the same time. HAAA. The technique backfired and sent Aang flying, hitting a tree in the process.
The old man facepalmed. "Alright, that's enough."
Aung stood up limping. "This is harder than I thought."
"Of course it is. This has never been done before. What made you think you were going to perfect it right away?"
"B-but-"
"That being said. You managed to grasp the concept. Well… sort of." He pointed at the mess Aang left behind. "A little bit of lava can be seen. A miracle you didn't burn this place to the ground."
"What's next?"
"Rest."
Aang groaned. "Again? I'm already better." Aung moved around. "See?"
"That may be, but you don't honestly think I'm stupid. I saw you struggle just to get up a minute ago. I need you at hundred percent for this training otherwise…"
Aang gave a quizzical glare. "Otherwise… What?"
"You'll end up in that bed again and you won't be able to do any fighting for good."
"You said that earlier. That my days as a fighter were over."
The old man shrugged. "I lied that time."
"WHY? I WAS ACTUALLY SCARED FOR MY LIFE."
"I just wanted to say that line for so long."
Aang facepalmed. Great… A basket case.
"Anyway, you need your rest."
"I heard the first time."
"Then why aren't you doing it?"
"Get off my case, old geezer."
The old man smiled. It's been a while since I've had an argument with someone.
Both of them went inside the house. Aang sat on the bed and the old man pulled a chair setting it next to Aang's bed.
"How did you know about combining other elements to create a new bending technique ?"
"I didn't. It was just an idea."
"How?"
"My friend and I were messing around. He was a Firebender and I was an Earthbender. We were coming up with a new combination attack and we went overboard. After the mess cleared up I saw something that caught my attention. Lava. There was a small amount of lava where our attack was directed at. My friend didn't think too much of it at the time. I thought a while and realized what had happened. I couldn't replicate it, so I gave up. I guess fate brought you here. I guess I'm supposed to teach you this technique."
"Are there any other combinations that I could do?
"Hm… Perhaps if you combine earth and airbending you could achieve some form of magnetic bending. If you combine Earth and waterbending you achieve Wood bending. You could also use earth and waterbending in order to make Mud bending. That's about all I could think of."
Aang stared at his hands. That much, huh?
"Don't worry about it too much today. Leave tomorrow's problems for the you of tomorrow."
"Hey old geezer."
"What is it?"
"Do you think I could actually perfect this technique?"
"I don't know. That's all up to you. I can't force this on you. You'll have to figure it out on your own."
"..."
"And you better figure it out quickly. You're just laying in bed doing nothing. Change is happening whether you know it or not."
"Change?"
"The enemy is growing stronger slowly, but surely. Change that is really frightening doesn't occur suddenly. It nibbles away slowly and steadily at everyday life. These changes are so minute that neither oneself nor others around will notice it. By the time one realizes it, it's already too late. Things will have already progressed past the point of no return."
Aang clenched his teeth."I can't let that happen. I won't allow it. But my body isn't responding to me."
"If we don't like something and we can't accept it. We'll have to stop it with our own hands."
"I'll do my best."
The old man yawned. "Sure, whatever. Get some rest."
Aang gave him an annoyed glare. That damn old geezer
XXXXXXXX
Two days later
"You sure you're ready for this? You just got healed yesterday."
"That whole thing was a waste honestly."
"So you're good to go? Full speed ahead right?"
Aang nodded furiously. "You bet."
The old man mumbled. "That's what you'd like to think at least."
"What'd you say?"
"I said time to get started. But first let's get through the basics."
"Again?"
The old man nodded. Oh boy.
Aang started chuckling.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh it's nothing it just been so long since I've actually had somebody train me. I don't know why but I'm feeling good about it.
"Is that right?" He started chuckling along with him. "Laugh about while you can... Time will not stop for us. Doesn't matter who you are."
"What's next?"
"Well you know how to use all four elements and you sort of, not really, know how to mesh them. Now for the hard part learning how to control it. The problem is that this takes too much time to learn, time that we do not have to on our hands."
"What am I supposed to do then? I don't have much-. " Aang was cut off
"If you'd let me finish. Anyway, I've taken into account that you don't have much time, so I've created a schedule that'll help with your training. If I'm being honest, this training is intense. So I must ask you; Are you one hundred percent sure you're up for it?"
"You said it yourself. Time is of the essence. So I can't be second guessing right now."
"Excellent. I like people like you. People who keep going when faced with adversity. No wonder this Toph girl kissed you."
Aang's face was fuming red. "H-how d-did you know about that?"
"You talk a lot in your sleep. Anyway, Lavabending. Earth nature on your left hand and water nature on the other one. I'm pretty sure it's not that difficult to use each of them independently for you. Right?"
Aang nodded.
"But to be able to activate both of them and use them simultaneously… Well, that's a different story. Anyway let's get started."
Aang saluted. "Yes sir." He started trying to perfect combining both elements, but failed miserably.
The old man found a nice place to lay his head on. This is gonna be my whole day isn't it?
Hours went by and nothing happened. Aang was still in the same place he was two days ago. He put his head down.
"I can't anymore."
The old man gave him a face of disappointment. "And this is the power you used to protect your friends. No wonder why you turned out like you did."
Aang's eyes widened. The old man saw his expression. Hit a sore spot, I guess.
"Alright time to call it a day."
XXXXXXXX
Staring into the sunset, Aang looked defeated.
"You're not gonna eat?"
"I'm really not that hungry, but thanks."
The old man shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Nightfall came and Aang still remained static in the same place. The dead of night was covered in a blanket of darkness.
"Seriously? You're still here. I thought you'd be asleep by now."
"Oh… hey."
"Alright move aside kid. You're in my favorite spot."
Aang moved aside, remaining quiet as ever.
"You're a little off, today."
"Whatever."
"This group you fought with...They're strong aren't they?"
"Yeah."
"Well then, What's your plan?"
"Winging it."
"Your team couldn't beat them, what makes you think you could?"
"..."
"You know what you're doing wrong?"
"Look, you do your thing and I'll do my own. Besides, I already moved from your spot."
"I'm not talking about the seating arrangements."
"..."
"Well for the sake of your friends I hope you wouldn't do anything stupid."
"..."
"If you don't… Well, who would want to go to a funeral? You'll actually be dead this time. You'll break your friends hearts' for the second time."
Aang started clenching his fist slowly.
"You're as sharp as they come. As much pain as it is to say. You've got great talent. Sometime down the near future you'll be someone who they could rely on."
"But now… They've got someone who can't protect anyone. You couldn't even protect that Toph-."
Aang lost it. Anger consumed him. "JUST WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GETTING AT?"
The old man seemed unfazed. "Only the truth."
"WILL YOU SHUT UP. SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH. This talk is making me sick." Aang started to walk away.
"What? Afraid you might get hurt. Some damn friend, huh?"
Aang turned around giving him a death glare. "What'd you say?"
"You know I'm right. No point in making yourself crazy. Life is hell get used to it. There are no magical fixes, it's all up to you. And by the looks of it you can't even fix yourself. You can't find the way for others if you, yourself is still lost. Nothing in this world that's worth having comes easy."
Aang tried to keep his cool. "If that's all you have to say, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't have time to argue. That's something that a woman would do."
The old man chuckled. "And what the hell does that make you? Not a man that's for damn sure. The way you're just giving up, as far as I can see you're nothing but a coward. You think you can quit and things will stop just for you? Someone's gotta stop that invasion whether it's you or someone else. Your group of comrades are gonna get sent with that person and they'll face the same risks, some might not make it. One's you might've saved if you wouldn't have given up. You've got a chance to reflect your errors, help fix your mistakes. The choice is simple: you're either a leeway or a barrier.
"What do you want from me?"
The old man stood up looking at Aang. Staring at each other the old man gave him a single piece of advice.
"Let it out kid."
Aang's eyes widened.
"All of the anger and the sadness and the fear. Everything brewing inside of you, you've got to let it go. It all starts from there.." He left inside the house.
Aang began to hold his heart. Tears cascaded his face as he was wailing. The old man was by the door when he turned towards the outside.
I'll see you tomorrow.
A/N: So right about now I should be working on the 13th chapter of this fanfic. Next one should be up next week. While updating this story I'll be editing previous chapters. Anyway, there's a reference to an Animoo. If you could read and review that would be fantastic. Any type of criticism is fine. Anyway I appreciate you guys.