VIII/ First taste of fire
Elsa's time with Katara was very enriching for both of them as they realized that, despite the differences in their abilities, there were some fundamental principles that could be applied to both powers. Katara was starting to grasp how her emotions and intentions could influence the way she could bend while Elsa took note of how some of the shapes Katara could give to water with her current skills might be used with her own powers. They stopped their training at midday, taking a break to replenish their energy and enjoy a meal. As they sat down to eat, Aang and Sokka were noticeably absent, prompting Katara to express her irritation at the young airbender's likely distraction with his fangirls.
"I hope Aang isn't getting carried away," she remarked, her frustration evident in her tone.
Elsa nodded in agreement, her brows furrowing with concern and understanding. "He'll come back. And if that isn't the case, we'll find him."
Katara tilted her head, reassured and appreciating the young woman's words. Elsa then asked, "Where do you think your brother is?"
"Knowing him, he's probably off trying to show the Kyoshi warriors who is the true warrior," Katara replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Elsa chuckled softly, amused by the waterbender's assessment of her brother's behaviour. "True," she agreed, a small smile playing on her lips.
Both women then ate their lunch, appreciating the local meals the people of Kyoshi island had prepared. As they finished their meal, Elsa rose from her seat. "I'll go to see where your brother is and hopefully see if Aang is doing well. Do you accompany me?" she informed her friend.
Katara tilted her head in understanding and reflected on her proposition before answering, "I'll stay here and practice my waterbending a bit more. And then maybe I'll talk to Aang if you don't find him."
Elsa smiled approvingly at her response, impressed by her friend's determination. "That sounds like a plan," she remarked, before adding, "Once I've found Sokka, I'll speak to him about when to leave Kyoshi. I'd like to hear his opinion."
Katara nodded in agreement, grateful for the young queen's consideration. "Alright, Elsa. I'll be here when you get back," she said, offering her friend a reassuring smile.
With that, Elsa took her leave from the meeting hall, determined to find Sokka and Aang before they got into any trouble. She decided to focus on Sokka. She suspected he went to look for Suki and the Kyoshi warriors, meaning she had to find where they were training. A part of her was thinking how intriguing and interesting it could be to see those young female warriors training in their fighting style.
Stepping out into the warm afternoon sun, she made her way through Suki's village, her keen eyes scanning the area for any sign of her friends.
As she walked through the village, she couldn't help but admire the serene atmosphere. The wooden houses, neatly arranged along the road, exuded a sense of peace and tranquility. Despite the isolationist nature of the community, there was a warmth in the air that spoke of camaraderie among the villagers.
Suddenly, a woman approached Elsa, her face lighting up with recognition. The villager greeted her warmly, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "You're with the Avatar, aren't you?" she inquired, a smile playing on her lips.
Elsa returned the woman's smile, nodding in confirmation. "Yes, that's right," she replied. "Have you seen him around?"
The woman nodded eagerly, gesturing in a certain direction towards a small hill. "He was with my daughter and her friends, near the Crystal Fall," she explained. "They were having a picnic."
Elsa's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you," she said sincerely, before pausing to ask another question. "Do you know where I can find the Kyoshi warriors?"
The woman nodded again, indicating a path. "You'll find them training at the dojo. It's just down that way," she explained, gesturing towards the designated direction.
"Thank you so much for your help," Elsa replied with a smile, feeling grateful for the woman's assistance.
The woman beamed back at her. "Anytime! It's an honor to meet someone so closely associated with the Avatar," she said before bidding Elsa a good day.
"Likewise. Have a good day," Elsa responded warmly before continuing on her way toward the Kyoshi Dojo. She knew where Aang was likely and with luck, she would know where Sokka was and how well he fared.
As Elsa was approaching the vicinity of the dojo, she spotted Aang quickly moving from the dojo back towards her and the village. A part of her wondered if he was tired of the girls following him everywhere, as they weren't there. She watched him approach, his youthful energy palpable even from a distance.
"Aang!" Elsa called out as he drew nearer, offering him a warm smile.
Aang stopped shortly, turning to face Elsa with a bright grin. "Hey, Elsa! How's it going?" he greeted her, his tone cheerful.
Elsa returned his smile, noting the hint of excitement in his voice. "I'm doing well, thank you," she replied, her gaze curious. "What were you doing over at the dojo?"
Aang scratched the back of his head, a sheepish expression crossing his features. "Oh, just checking in on Sokka. I wanted to ask something to Katara," he admitted, his tone slightly evasive.
Elsa raised an eyebrow, sensing that Aang was hiding something. Nevertheless, she decided not to press him further. "Katara is still in the meeting hall," she informed him, gesturing back towards the village. "She is testing her waterbending."
Aang nodded eagerly, his excitement returning. "Thanks, Elsa! I'll go find her right away," he said before darting off towards the village.
As Elsa watched him go, she couldn't help but wonder what was going through the young airbender's mind. She hoped that Katara and Aang would take the opportunity to settle down the little issue that had arisen between them in the market in the morning. A part of her wondered if Aang didn't have something for Katara, considering how he interacted with her.
With a small shake of her head, Elsa resumed her walk toward the dojo, her thoughts lingering on her friends. She hoped that they would find a way to resolve their differences and focus on their mission. As she approached the dojo, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of watching the Kyoshi warriors train up close.
As she drew nearer to the dojo, her anticipation grew. She saw some of the warriors doing some exercices in their armours with their fans. With each step, she felt a sense of reverence for these skilled fighters, whose dedication to their craft was evident in every motion. She approached slowly, not wanting to distract the warriors from their training. However, one of the female warriors noticed her and stepped forward to greet her. "Can I help you?" she asked, her voice polite but guarded.
Elsa returned the warrior's gaze, her blue eyes meeting hers with a calm determination. "I'm looking for Sokka," she replied, her voice steady despite the unease churning in her stomach.
The Kyoshi warrior's expression softened slightly, though shining in amusement. "He is training with our leader inside," she explained, her tone amused while sending a glance at the dojo. "He sought to prove himself to us but after being put into his place, he has come back with humility to ask Suki to allow him to join our ranks to learn how to become a better warrior."
Elsa couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her friend being once again humiliated, knowing how much his pride meant to him. But she also felt a sense of pride in his humility, his willingness to learn from his mistakes and grow as a person. She was also relieved he didn't make a misstep that could have been costlier for him or them. She was also intrigued by the amusement of the female warrior and wondered what Suki and her sisters-in-arms had done to the Water Tribe boy.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude. "I appreciate your honesty."
The warrior nodded in response, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Of course. We Kyoshi warriors value honor above all else."
Elsa returned the smile, feeling a sense of kinship with these brave fighters. "I can see that," she said, her admiration for them evident in her voice.
She noticed the other warriors had stopped whatever they were doing. Among them, she suddenly recognized the one she had frozen during the ambush yesterday.
"Are you... Jie?" Elsa asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.
Jie's expression softened, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and vigilance. "Yes, that's me," she replied, her voice gentle yet cautious.
Elsa's heart sank at the memory of freezing Jie, unintentionally causing her harm. "I'm so sorry for what happened," she apologized earnestly, her voice laced with remorse. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Jie's gaze softened, touched by Elsa's sincerity. "It's alright," she reassured Elsa, her tone gentle yet firm. "I understand. And I appreciate your apology."
Elsa nodded gratefully, relieved that Jie wasn't holding a grudge against her. "Thank you," she said sincerely, her voice filled with gratitude.
One of Jie's fellow warriors, who had been observing the exchange, spoke up, her tone respectful yet curious. "Your powers are truly remarkable," she remarked, his eyes studying Elsa with interest. "We witnessed your fight against the Unagi. It was... impressive. I have never seen anyone daring to face the Unagi on his own. That was very striking and brave of you."
Elsa's cheeks flushed slightly at the attention, though she maintained her composure. "Thank you," she replied modestly, acknowledging the compliment. "But your skills are equally impressive. I've never seen warriors quite like you."
The warriors exchanged glances, a sense of pride evident in their expressions. "We take our training very seriously," a slim warrior with dark hair responded, her tone humble yet proud. "It's an honor to be recognized by someone as skilled as yourself."
Elsa smiled warmly, touched by their humility and dedication. "The honor is mine," she replied sincerely. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to witness your strength and skill."
The first warrior to have spoken to Elsa then turned to her with a curious glint in her eyes. "Would you like to spar with us?" she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Elsa considered the offer for a moment, her blue eyes scanning the group of warriors before her. She felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of testing her skills against the Kyoshi warriors, knowing that it would be a valuable learning experience, especially as she needed to know how people fought here, considering the existence of bending.
"I would love to," Elsa replied with a nod, a determined expression crossing her features.
The warriors made space for her in the training area, clearing a spot for Elsa to stand. As she positioned herself opposite the youngest member of the group, Elsa couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation coursing through her veins.
"How would you like to spar?" Elsa asked, turning to the group of warriors for guidance.
Jie stepped forward with a suggestion. "Perhaps we could start with a two-on-one sparring match," she proposed, her gaze meeting Elsa's with a mixture of respect and curiosity. "You proved you can hold your own against one person. But how do you fare against multiple opponents?"
Elsa nodded in agreement, her mind already racing with anticipation. She was keenly aware of the extent of her powers, but she was determined to prove herself capable of defending against opponents who might be as swift as the Kyoshi warriors.
"Who wants to volunteer for the two-on-one match?" Jie asked, scanning the group expectantly.
Two warriors stepped forward, her eyes shining with determination. "We'll do it," one of them declared, her voice steady despite her youthful appearance.
Jie turned to Elsa, her expression serious yet respectful. "Is that alright with you?" she asked, a note of caution in her tone.
Elsa met the warrior's gaze with a reassuring smile. "Of course," she replied, her voice steady with confidence.
She took her stance for the incoming spar. The two female warriors did the same, their movements fluid and poised for action, while Jie and the other combattants allowed them space. The three women had their eyes locked in a silent challenge. Elsa could feel the anticipation building within her as she prepared to face the combined strength of the Kyoshi warriors.
As the spar began, the two warriors moved with lightning speed, their attacks coming from all sides in a coordinated assault. Elsa focused her attention, drawing upon her powers to defend against their strikes. With a graceful motion of her hand, she conjured icy blasts to deflect their attacks, her movements precise and controlled.
The Kyoshi warriors were in turn relentless, using their swift moves and fighting skills to evade Elsa's strikes while attempting to land blows of their own. They coordinated their attacks, aiming to overwhelm her with a relentless barrage. Their blows were swift and precise, testing Elsa's reflexes and forcing her to be constantly on guard.
Elsa, however, remained composed. She utilized her powers not only defensively but also offensively. As the warriors closed in, she unleashed streams of ice, propelling them forward as sharp projectiles. The icy shards cut through the air, forcing the Kyoshi warriors to adjust their movements and creating openings for Elsa to exploit.
Suddenly, one of the warriors attempted to outflank her, moving in from the side with surprising speed. But with a swift motion, Elsa unleashed a stream of ice, encasing her opponent's feet in a slippery coating that sent her sliding off balance. The young queen then unleashed a powerful wave of ice, sending the second warrior sprawling to the ground. As they lay there, panting and defeated, Elsa freed the first warrior and offered the second a hand up, her smile warm and genuine.
"Well fought," she said, her voice filled with respect. "You are truly formidable opponents."
The fallen warrior accepted Elsa's hand and nodded in respect to the young woman's words. Jie and her fellow warriors gathered around, exchanging impressed glances and nods of approval. The other warriors watched in amazement as Elsa emerged victorious from the spar, her confidence and skill evident in every movement. With a sense of pride and admiration, they welcomed her into their ranks, eager to learn from her as she had learned from them.
As the excitement of the spar settled, Jie approached Elsa, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You handle yourself well in combat, Elsa," she remarked, her tone respectful. "Would you be up for another challenge?"
Elsa's blue eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nodded in agreement. "I'm ready," she replied, her voice steady with determination.
Jie exchanged a knowing glance with her companions before turning back to Elsa, but a commotion at the outskirts caught the attention of the Kyoshi warriors and hers.
Suki appeared in a rush, her expression tense, followed closely by Sokka donning Kyoshi armor. Elsa's eyebrows raised in surprise and held back an amused smile at the sight of the young Water Tribe boy's attire, a clear indication of his commitment to making amends and learning from the Kyoshi warriors. She couldn't help but feel once again a swell of pride for him.
"Suki, what's happening?" Jie inquired, her voice tinged with concern.
Suki's gaze flickered towards the horizon, her voice urgent. "Firebenders have landed on our shores," she announced, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
The Kyoshi warriors went tense and readied themselves while Elsa's heart skipped a beat at the news, her thoughts immediately turning to Aang and the safety of the village. Without hesitation, she nodded to Suki, determination shining in her eyes.
"I'm with you," Elsa declared in a determined voice.
Suki titled her head, "Alright, but follow my lead," she said.
Elsa acquiesced in understanding, falling into step behind the Kyoshi warriors as they moved swiftly toward the village. Her protective instincts kicked into overdrive, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.
When they reached the village entrance, the sight that greeted them was alarming. A group of Komodo rhinos, bearing each three Fire Nation soldiers, including a spearman and a firebender, stood as a menacing presence.
Elsa's grip on her powers tightened, her resolve hardening as she prepared to defend the village. She observed the newcomers, noticing their dark reddish armour, some having an intimidating dead face-like mask with horns, while they were riding big horned-lizards-like creatures. A sole rider was waiting at the foot of Kyoshi's statue. Elsa suspected it must be the leader.
Suki suddenly sprang into action, dispatching her warriors to outflank the Fire Nation group. Elsa followed suit, her movements swift and purposeful as she joined the fray.
As the Kyoshi warriors leaped and darted across the rooftops, Elsa chose to remain on the ground, using the cover of buildings to approach unnoticed. As determined she was to help those people, she also knew that her powers were unique and trusted the Kyoshi warriors to hold their ground.
Suddenly, she heard the distinct sound of flames crackling, followed by the clash of metal against metal. Elsa's heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination as she hurried towards the source of the disturbance, her determination to protect those in need being fuelled. New sounds of fight could be heard closer to her position and she even heard some crashes, one in the house nearby her as she was about to turn at the corner.
As she rounded the corner, her eyes widened at the scene before her. Fires burned brightly on many houses, casting flickering shadows across the streets while dark smoke was rising to the sky. And in the midst of it all stood a figure in Fire Nation armour, his presence unmistakable. While he was a bit distant, Elsa could see his head was almost bald with only a ponytail high over his head. As he was turning around as if he was looking at something or someone. She noticed half of his face seemed marked by a dark red shape as if he had been burnt in the past unless it was a birthmark.
"Nice try, Avatar! But these little girls can't save you," his voice rang out in the street, his tone dripping with disdain.
Elsa felt a surge of indignation at his dismissive words. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her voice clear and steady. "Who are you to threaten this village?" she demanded, her tone laced with authority.
The stranger's gaze fell upon her, and Elsa felt a shiver run down her spine at the intensity of his stare. He seemed taken aback by her presence, his eyes narrowing in confusion. She was also stunned to see he was young, perhaps around the same age as Sokka. What struck her was the strong reddish scar barring the left part of his face. She wondered how he got such a scar as it wasn't natural. She wondered about the story behind. Yet, she remained vigilant, refusing to let her curiosity distract her from the immediate threat the boy represented.
Zuko'expression was guarded as he regarded the strange woman standing strong in the alley. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, taking in her distinct appearance and mature demeanour. But as strange and unique she was, she didn't matter as the Avatar was nearby.
"Who are you? Where's the Avatar?" he demanded in a brisk voice.
Elsa frowned at his words and tone as she felt the anger and something that could feel like desperation. "It doesn't matter who I am," she declared, her voice ringing with determination and carrying a note of warning. "The Avatar is under my protection and I will not let you harm him or anyone else in this village."
Zuko's eyes narrowed further, his stance shifting into one of aggression. Without warning, he lunged forward, his movements swift and fierce, unleashing a flame towards her. Instinctively, Elsa summoned her powers, a wall of ice springing up between them to block his advance. The fireball exploded against her wall, shattering it and yet dissipated by the shock.
Zuko stranger stumbled back, his eyes widening in surprise at the display of magic before him. "You're a waterbender," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Elsa didn't answer him, not wanting to give her opponent information that would single her out, considering how unique her powers were for this world. She met his gaze head-on, her expression resolute. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect those I care about," she replied, her voice unwavering. "And right now, that means stopping you."
Zuko's frustration flared into a rage as he saw that mysterious woman standing firm against him. With a primal roar, he unleashed a barrage of fireballs, each one aimed at her. Elsa reacted quickly, weaving her arms to summon new walls of ice to deflect the flames. The heat of the fire washed over her, but she remained steadfast, her focus unwavering. Clouds of steam appeared when her ice and snow clashed with the fireball and fiery blasts while the wall shattered under the repetitive strikes. She restrained herself not to use all her strenght, not wanting to exhaust herself or to provoke further destruction to the village.
Elsa retaliated in response in sending icy blasts toward her opponent. As the boy warrior dodged them, Elsa found openings in her opponent's attacks. As he was sending a wave of fire through his feet, Elsa sent a wave of snowy flurries to stop it. She could feel the fact he was relying on anger to create his attacks. That both made him dangerous and yet it was something she could exploit. She could sense the turmoil within him and wondered who and what had made him so full of pain, anger, and desperation. Even at her darkest, she wasn't in such a state.
As her opponent landed to send a new fireball, Elsa sent a blast of ice on the ground before him, making him stumble by surprise. Just as she was about to trap her opponent in ice, another fire blast was suddenly sent towards her. She instinctively reacted to protect herself, summoning a wall of ice to shield her from the flames. The wall crashed in pieces and steam, revealing another firebender that was sending waves of blasts.
As her first opponent rejoined the fight with further determination and anger, Elsa had to deal with two sets of fiery blasts from her opponents and as skilled and powerful she was, the speed with which they were sending their fireblasts was far more challenging than the fight against the two men of the duke of Weaselton. Increasing the intensity of her powers, she summoned a fierce blizzard to both protect herself and fend off her attackers, making the air around her cracking with frost.
Zuko and the firebender, caught off guard by the sudden change in weather, stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented by the swirling snow and icy winds. Elsa used her powers to dismiss the clouds, ready to strike at her opponents.
A sudden blast of wind behind them sent Zuko and his men crashing to the ground, their cries drowned out by the howling gale. Blinking away the snowflakes that stung her cheeks, Elsa turned to see Aang standing at the beginning of the main street, his staff held in a challenging posture.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" his voice rang out, echoing through the chaos.
Elsa's heart swelled with relief and worry at Aang's intervention as he was putting himself in danger. It reminded her of Anna's rush to help her in the Enchanted Forrest when dealing with Bruni.
Zuko turned around, a mix of frustration and determination crossing his scarred face. "Finally!" he exclaimed, unleashing his firebending with renewed vigour.
One fireball came hurtling towards Elsa, while two others were aimed at Aang. Reacting swiftly, Aang ducked underneath the first fireball and used his staff to decimate the next, his movements fluid and precise.
Elsa summoned her powers to protect herself from the fireball, her ice barrier holding strong against the intense heat. With a determined glare, she dispelled the wall and saw Zuko already closing in on Aang, his fists ablaze with fire.
She then saw the firebender that had been facing her standing again and ready to strike. In a swift move, she sent a blast to stop his fireball before encasing him in a thick layer of ice, effectively neutralizing the threat.
With the soldier temporarily out of the picture, Elsa turned her attention back to the fight between Zuko and Aang. She watched as the Avatar spun around, creating a powerful gust of wind that sent Zuko crashing into a nearby house.
As the dust settled, Elsa rushed to Aang's side as he lowered his fans, a somber expression on his face. She was relieved to see he was alright but was also concerned by his demeanour.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
The young airbender hesitated before responding, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders. "I didn't mean for all this chaos to happen," he confessed, his voice heavy with remorse.
Elsa placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her heart aching for the young Avatar. "It's not your fault," she reassured him gently. "You didn't ask for any of this."
Aang looked up at her, his eyes filled with sadness. "But they were attacked because I was here," he whispered.
Elsa's gaze softened, understanding his pain all too well. "Sometimes, things happen outside of our control, but we do all we can to handle such moments."
Aang nodded, feeling slightly better in spite of the guilt. "Thanks, Elsa," he said gratefully.
Elsa nodded in return, "Now, go to safety. Find Katara and Sokka."
Aang hesitated for a moment, "But what about you?"
She answered determinedly while looking at the street, "I have fire to extinguish."
Aang nodded, determination and relief shining in his gaze. With a glance back at the destruction around them, he ran down the main street, picking up his staff along the way.
As the airbender vanished into the distance, Elsa watched him glide away on his glider before turning her attention to the burning village. While her icy blasts extinguished some of the fires nearby her, there were others that were still growing. With a sense of purpose, she raised her hands, summoning a powerful gust of winter wind and a flurry of snow. Snow began to fall gently from the sky, covering the charred remains of the buildings in a blanket of white.
But as the flames dimmed and the snow began to settle, Elsa's focus was abruptly broken by the sound of movement behind her. Whirling around, she saw a Fire Nation pikeman charging towards her, spear raised menacingly.
Reacting swiftly, Elsa summoned a sharp blade of ice, deflecting the spear just in time. With a fluid motion, she sent another blast on the ground beneath the spearman, knocking him off balance before trapping him among ice pikes.
Breathing heavily, she scanned her surroundings, alert for any further threats. That's when she spotted a Kyoshi warrior leaping into action with surprising agility, deflecting a fire blast aimed at her with impressive skill.
The warrior, whom Elsa recognized as Jie, tossed her other closed fan toward the firebender, knocking him off balance with a resounding clang.
"Thanks, Jie," Elsa said with a grateful smile, relieved to see her friend.
Jie nodded in seriousness. "No problem, Elsa," she said. "Go. We've got this under control."
Elsa hesitated, torn between her desire to help and the urgency of the situation. But she knew that Aang and his friends needed her. Trusting the Kyoshi warriors to handle the remaining threats, she reluctantly nodded. "Take care of you," she said before turning to leave.
As she made her way through the snow-covered streets, Elsa couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. Moving swiftly towards the meeting hall, she noticed other Kyoshi warriors moving again to defend their village. Her senses heightened as she heard Appa's distinctive grunts in the sky above.
Raising her eyes to the heavens, she saw the sky bison descending behind the houses to the right. Reacting quickly, Elsa turned the corner of a nearby house to approach from the other side. There, she spotted Sokka and Suki squatting behind the building.
"There's no time to say goodbye," Suki said urgently to Sokka.
Sokka hesitated for a moment before replying, "What about, 'I'm sorry?'"
Surprised, Suki asked, "For what?"
Regretful, Sokka replied, "I treated you like a girl when I should've treated you like a warrior."
Suki's expression softened as she leaned over and kissed Sokka on the cheek. A blush crept up Sokka's face as he touched his cheek where Suki's lips had just been. "But I'm a girl, too," Suki said with a smile before standing up and sliding her fan open, ready to fight. "Now get out of here! We'll hold them off."
With a nod of gratitude, Sokka stood up and ran towards Appa, who was lying ready a few meters away. Both Momo and Sokka swiftly climbed up Appa's tail, ready to depart.
Elsa was a bit amused and intrigued by the interactions between Sokka and Suki, but knew she didn't have time to ponder. As she approached Appa to join him, Suki saluted her with a friendly and determined gesture. "Take care of you, Elsa. And keep watching on the Avatar and his friends."
"I'll do. Take care of you, Suki," Elsa replied in returning the salute.
As Suki was joining her fellow warriors, her determination evident in her stance, Elsa joined Appa. Aang, Katara, and Sokka were already on board, and Aang was checking to ensure everyone was accounted for.
"Appa, yip yip!" Aang called out, pulling the reins. With a groan, Appa took off, flying over the snow-covered buildings. Elsa was glad to see that the fires were now over, even if the destructions she saw from the sky were a grim reminder of the recent attack.
Looking back, she spotted the Fire Nation soldiers rushing to leave the village, struggling to free their comrades trapped by Elsa's ice. A pang of satisfaction mixed with concern washed over her as she realized the imminent danger the Kyoshi warriors and the village would soon face once the Fire Nation fully retreated.
As the village faded into the distance, Aang's expression turned somber. Elsa understood while he was feeling down. But before she could intervene, Katara spoke first as she gestured towards the village. "I know it's hard, but you did the right thing. Zuko would have destroyed the whole place if we had stayed. They're going to be okay, Aang."
Aang's gaze lingered on the disappearing village before he nodded in agreement, a mix of emotions evident in his eyes. "Yeah, you're right."
Turning his glance to Elsa, he offered a grateful smile. "And thank you, Elsa. For snuffing out the fires and for standing up against Zuko."
Elsa's eyes widened a bit in hearing the name, guessing Aang was speaking of the scarred young man. She didn't expect the person chasing the young airbender to be a young person. Her expression however softened as she looked at Aang. "Thank you. I was doing what was right, Letting these people or you being hurt was out of question."
Aang's smile widened at Elsa's response, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them.
Elsa then said a bit concerned, "But Aang, you shouldn't have put yourself in danger like that."
Aang's smile faltered slightly as he considered her words. "I know, Elsa. But I couldn't just stand by and watch. I'm the Avatar and it's my duty to protect people. And I couldn't let you on your own, not when I promised to help you to find your way home."
Elsa nodded, understanding his perspective. "I appreciate your concern, Aang. But please remember that I'm not completely helpless. I don't want you to put yourself in unnecessary danger because of me."
Aang looked at Elsa with a mixture of admiration and concern. "I know you're strong, Elsa, I've seen what you can do. But you're not from this world, and it's my responsibility to make sure you're safe. We're in this together, and I won't let anything happen to you."
Elsa smiled warmly at the young boy's words, feeling warm in hearing his words. It reminded her of Anna's protectiveness. She felt a pang in her chest in hearing those words, but chased away that longing.
As Momo flew around, chirping happily, Sokka chimed in, "Come on Aang! She handled herself pretty well back there." Looking at Elsa, he added, "I mean, who knew you were so good at putting out fires and taking down Zuko and his goons?"
Elsa chuckled softly at Sokka's words, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Katara, who had been listening quietly, spoke up with determination in her voice. "Elsa, I want to learn more from you. If you handled yourself so well against Zuko and his men, then I want to be able to protect my friends like you do."
Elsa's heart swelled with pride at Katara's words. "I'd be honoured to teach you, Katara. But remember, my powers are different from your waterbending."
Katara nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with determination. "Of course, Elsa."
Aang smiled at Katara's resolve before turning to Elsa with a grateful expression. As they flew away on Appa, the tension from their recent encounter began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and hope for the journey ahead.
Sokka then asked intrigued and confused, "Why didn't you use all your powers to take down Zuko and his firebenders? I mean, you could've taken him down way harder than you did!"
Elsa chuckled lightly, acknowledging Sokka's observation. "I didn't want to risk causing more harm than necessary. Plus, I didn't want to reveal too much about my powers just yet."
Katara nodded, understanding Elsa's reasoning. "That makes sense. We need to be careful about revealing your abilities too openly, especially considering the Fire Nation's interest in capturing Aang. If they know how powerful you are, they might be even more determined to chase us."
Aang, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "I appreciate your restraint, Elsa."
Sokka pondered a moment before nodding, "Makes sense. They're already after Aang, we don't need to give them another reason. But having you having on our side definitely makes our chances of taking down the Fire Nation a lot better. They'll be cooled down with you."
Katara groaned at her brother's pun while Elsa was shaking her head while also agreeing with his assessment. She was however a bit wary of how using her powers might turn. She wasn't keen to violence, but she would do everything to protect her friends and those in need.
As Appa soared through the sky, carrying her companions and her toward their next destination, she knew that even if she needed to return home, protecting those children was her responsibility. And helping Aang was more than necessary as she still felt wrong to burden a child like him with the responsibility of ending the war that was raging and to bring back peace. Her thoughts then dwelled on Zuko. He was dangerous and determined, but she could sense the pain underneath his anger and rage and wondered what befell on him to become that way. With the relentless he had shown in fighting her even when it was obvious he was at a disadvantage, she felt they would see him soon in the future.