Subaru71077: For those who've already read this chapter, I've added another 1300 words.
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"I think we've found the perfect spot," Ikari remarked, his eyes scanning the horizon. The area around the boat was calm, free of ice, with the current flowing gently, creating a serene and safe environment for what he had in mind. 'Yeah… this is it.' He stopped bending the air and lowered the sail, leaving the boat at the mercy of the small waves around them. "Shall we begin?" he asked, walking toward Katara.
The girl eagerly nodded, her excitement returning in full. "Let's do it!"
"Alright." Ikari sat down facing her, crossing his legs in a comfortable position. "What I'm about to explain is based on what I've read and the conclusions I've drawn from my own experiences with bending in general. I could be wrong in some parts — a true master would have much deeper and more precise knowledge to guide you. But… this will at least give you a starting direction."
Katara nodded vigorously, absorbing every word with almost tangible focus, barely blinking.
"Okay, let's start right from the beginning," Ikari continued, his voice clear and instructive. "It all starts at birth, where we may come into the world with the gift of bending or not. I'm not entirely sure if the factor that allows us to bend is inherited from our family's ancestors, or if it's just luck — considering there are far more non-benders than benders. But the element we'll be able to bend is definitely inherited."
Ikari went on, gesturing slightly to emphasize his points. "The Air Nomads bent air; the Water Tribes, like you, bend water; the Earth Kingdom bends earth; and the Fire Nation bends fire. Of course, if someone from one nation has children with someone from another, the child may be born with the element inherited from either the mother or the father. And remember, we can manipulate only one element, with only the Avatar able to bend all four."
He placed his hand on his chin, thinking for a moment before continuing. "Now, how does bending work? As I told you yesterday, each element has its own 'rules,' which are reflected in the characteristics of the movements we use to manipulate it. For example, airbending is done with circular, evasive, and fluid movements, while earthbending uses strong, firm, and grounded movements. Traditionally, we use hands and feet, but extremely skilled and powerful benders can bend with minimal movement, such as using only their head."
Katara's eyes widened. "Only the head?!" she asked, unable to imagine herself doing anything like that.
"Yes…" Ikari replied, his voice growing reflective, as if remembering something. "It's impressive to see. It's like the element becomes a complete extension of the bender."
"Have you ever met someone like that, Ikari?" Katara asked, leaning forward, her eyes shining with curiosity, eager for more details.
"I have." He smiled faintly. "Remember the King of Omashu I mentioned last night?"
"The one you're working with?" Katara frowned, trying to pull the name from memory. "What was his name again…? Bumo?"
Ikari let out a small laugh. "It's Bumi."
"That's what I said!"
"Hehehe, yeah, yeah," Ikari shook his head before getting back on topic. "Bumi can earthbend using only his face. The guy is… a monster, in the best sense."
Katara absorbed the information with a look of pure admiration, her mind painting vivid images of an incredibly powerful old man manipulating giant rocks with just a simple movement of his chin. The thought fascinated her, but also stirred an even greater curiosity about the boy in front of her. And a question that had been gnawing at her since she'd met Ikari slipped out: "Ikari… how strong are you?"
"How strong I am…?" He went silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the boat's floor, reflecting on the question with a thoughtful expression. 'I've never stopped to think about it… but considering that technique…' He came to a conclusion, lifting his gaze to Katara. "It's hard to say for sure. There are many exceptional benders out there, and I have the advantage that almost no one has experience fighting an airbender. But if I had to guess… I'd say I'm near the top."
"Really?!" Katara exclaimed, her eyes widening even more. "Near the top? Like, among the best in the world?" The thought that the easygoing, playful boy in front of her could be among the most powerful benders in the world left her stunned. 'If he's saying that, then he must be… incredibly strong!'
Ikari shrugged. "It's not a big deal, honestly. A bender, no matter how strong or experienced, can be defeated with a good strategy or by sheer numbers. There's no such thing as someone with absolute power in our world."
"You… are very humble," Katara said, a soft smile forming as she looked at him.
"Thank you, but I'd say I'm a realist," Ikari replied with a smile of his own. "Now, let's get back to what matters. We've strayed too far from the subject… huh… where was I again?"
"We were talking about the movements for bending," Katara replied quickly.
"Oh, right, that. To recap, each element has its own bending movements. It's possible to use the movements from another bending style to manipulate your own element, but I don't recommend trying that just yet. Wait until you've mastered waterbending properly. Now, let's talk about what makes all of this possible: chi, the energy within us that allows us to bend the elements."
"Chi is, in short, the vital energy that lives within us." Ikari ran his hand along his opposite arm, as if tracing a path. "It flows through the energy pathways of our body like invisible rivers, and it's what gives us strength, balance, and the ability to bend. We, benders, can extend chi from the movements of our hands and feet beyond our bodies, allowing us to bend the elements. That's why learning the correct movements of your bending style is crucial: they're what help direct and amplify chi outward."
"However, even without the technique, Katara, you can still bend water. That's why, when you started moving your arms earlier, I told you to stop. You could have accidentally bent the water around us and damaged the boat."
"Oh… sorry?"
*********
After a few more detailed explanations and a Q&A session, Ikari led Katara to the edge of the boat. "Show me what you can do," he said, standing beside her with his arms crossed.
Katara nodded with determination, but a wave of nervousness made her bite her lower lip. 'Okay, Katara, focus. Don't mess this up now,' she thought, feeling the weight of Ikari's gaze on her. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hands and began moving them up and down, but nothing happened. The surface of the water remained calm, indifferent to her efforts.
Katara's cheeks began to warm, the blush rising as she felt Ikari's silent stare. 'Why isn't it working?!' she thought, embarrassment growing. She had never done anything truly impressive, but at least she knew she could lift a small ball of water.
Katara tried again, her movements faster, almost frantic, but the water remained still, only rippling softly with the natural motion of the sea. 'Damn it…' She huffed in frustration and lowered her hands for a moment, her shoulders tense.
Katara shot a quick glance at Ikari, expecting some comment or guidance, but he only watched her, his expression neutral. His continued silence, though not judgmental, made her feel even more pressured. 'I'm not giving up in front of him! I'll do it,' she told herself, straightening with renewed determination.
Taking another deep breath, she raised her hands. 'You can do this, Katara. Just… feel the water.' She tried to mimic the rhythm of the waves around her, tracing slow arcs with her arms. For long seconds, nothing happened, and frustration threatened to take over once again—when something finally changed.
A small amount of water, no more than a handful, began to rise from the surface, trembling in the air as if hesitantly responding to Katara's movements. Her eyes widened, her heart racing with excitement. 'I did it!' she thought, but before she could celebrate, the water lost its shape and fell back into the sea with a soft splash.
Katara huffed loudly, letting her shoulders drop, "That was pathetic," she muttered, turning her face away from Ikari, avoiding his gaze. As childish as it was, she wanted to impress him, to make him think she was some kind of genius, worthy of his attention. 'That was ridiculous. He must be thinking I'm awful…'
"I'm impressed," said Ikari, breaking the silence.
"Huh?!" Katara turned to him, certain she had heard wrong. "What did you say?"
"That I'm impressed," he repeated.
"But I was awful!" Katara exclaimed, still in disbelief, pointing to the water as if it were proof of her failure.
"And what exactly were you expecting to do without training?" Ikari asked, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously, Katara, you did very well. At first, you were distracted and your movements were pretty stiff, but on your own, you realized you needed to watch the sea and imitate its rhythm. That's excellent. It shows you've understood everything I've explained to you so far."
Katara blinked, the blush on her cheeks now mixed with a hint of pride. "Really? You think I did well?"
"Absolutely," Ikari said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Now, let's continue. But this time, I want you to try bending the water with your eyes closed. Instead of watching the movement, I want you to feel and follow the water around you, okay?"
Katara nodded, her confidence starting to grow. "Okay!"
********
[Next Day]
"Are you sure you've recovered enough for this?"
"Of course I have! I'm completely fine," Sokka replied, swinging his arm with exaggerated confidence. A grimace, however, crossed his face as a sharp pang shot through the muscle in his shoulder. "Ugh… almost completely fine," he admitted, trying to hide the discomfort behind a forced smile.
Ikari shook his head, a small smile curling his lips, and turned his gaze back to the crystal-clear water in front of them. Both held spears, their sharp tips glinting under the morning sun. Between them, on the ice-covered ground, sat an empty bucket, ready to hold any fish they managed to catch.
The goal was simple: fishing. Or rather, it was Sokka's goal. Ikari had only joined in after Katara, with a conspiratorial little grin, had whispered in his ear that Sokka was "the worst fisherman she'd ever met." And considering that the Southern Water Tribe currently relied heavily on fishing, that said a lot about the boy's skills — or lack thereof.
"So, how good are you at fishing?" Ikari asked, glancing from the water to Sokka, who was holding his spear with a confident but clearly clumsy stance.
"I'm one of the best!" Sokka declared, puffing out his chest before thrusting the spear into the water in a quick motion. He yanked it back with a grunt, but upon inspecting the tip, both saw it was empty. "Stupid fish…" Sokka muttered, glaring at the water as if it had personally offended him.
'Right… I think I see the problem,' Ikari stepped forward and crouched near the water, pointing to the shimmering surface. "Sokka, you're missing because you're aiming where the fish appears at the surface. But the water tricks your eyes, it's like an illusion. The fish is never exactly where it looks like it is — it's a bit lower."
Sokka blinked, confused, scratching the back of his neck with his free hand. "Lower? Like, how much lower? That makes no sense, I saw the fish right there!"
"Alright. Watch and learn, then," Ikari said, standing up calmly and readying his spear. His eyes scanned the water for a target. After a few seconds, he spotted a fish lazily swimming near the surface. "Pay attention, Sokka." Lowering the spear with force, Ikari aimed slightly below where the fish seemed to be.
Splash!
'Got it,' Ikari thought, feeling the extra weight at the tip of the spear. He raised it, displaying a silver fish impaled on the tip, still thrashing. "See? A bit lower," he said, showing the fish to Sokka before depositing it in the bucket with a casual motion.
Sokka watched, his mouth parted in an "O" of astonishment. He blinked three times, taking in the scene, and nodded slowly. "Okay... I think I got it." Turning his gaze back to the water, he began to look for another fish, holding the spear firmly. "I just need a good target..." He leaned forward, concentration etched on his face.
Ikari stayed quiet, just watching with a slight smile, giving Sokka space to try on his own. After a few minutes of searching, Sokka finally spotted a fish. "There you are..." Following Ikari's tip, he adjusted the angle, aimed slightly below the fish and struck.
The tip of the spear ripped the surface and, to his surprise, hit the fish dead-on. Sokka pulled the spear back quickly, eyes wide, and saw the fish caught on the tip. "I DID IT!" he yelled, jumping on the ice as he raised the spear in triumph, his face lit by a radiant smile. "SEE THAT, IKARI?! I DID IT! TAKE THAT, WORLD!"
Ikari laughed, infected by Sokka's energy, and began to hop beside him, clapping to a lively rhythm. "Sokka! Sokka! Sokka!" he chanted, echoing the boy's enthusiasm.
"I DID IT! I DID IT!" Sokka kept shouting, pride overflowing in every movement. However, at the height of his victory dance, his foot slipped on the smooth ice. "Whoa!" He lost his balance, his arms flailing awkwardly as he tried to steady himself. But he couldn't.
Sokka fell to the ground, and in the process, the spear slipped from his hand.
!
Both Sokka and Ikari watched in slow motion the spear fly, traveling through the air until it hit the ground. The fish came loose because of the impact and slid across the ice until it plunged back into the water with a plop.
The two stood frozen, staring at the spot where the fish had disappeared. A heavy silence, laden with shock and disbelief, enveloped them both, until they looked at each other at the same time, their expressions equally stunned.
"That... I don't even know what to say," Ikari murmured at last, scratching the back of his neck, awkwardly.
Sokka lowered his eyes to the ground, completely defeated. "This world... is too cruel."
*********
[A few hours later]
"Look at the size of this one, Katara!" Sokka exclaimed, lifting a big fish from the bucket full of others, water dripping in droplets as he held it with radiant pride. "I caught it!" He puffed out his chest, a smug smile stretching from ear to ear.
Katara looked genuinely impressed. She even leaned in to inspect the fish, confirming she wasn't hallucinating. "How…?"
Sokka placed the fish back in the bucket with an exaggerated gesture. "Let's just say I finally unlocked my superior fishing gift!" he declared, crossing his arms and raising his chin.
Katara put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "You mean Ikari managed to teach you how to fish."
"Argh!" Sokka stepped back, his face twisted in shock. "How did you know?!"
"Because I was the one who told him you're terrible at catching fish, genius," Katara replied. "And he said he'd see if he could help you."
Hearing those words, Sokka felt as if he had been struck by an invisible arrow, straight to the heart. He clutched his chest, staggering dramatically. "Terrible…" he muttered, his voice trembling as if he were on the verge of tears. "My own little sister… didn't trust me…"
"Quit the drama, Sokka," Katara rolled her eyes. "Now you know how to fish, don't you? That's what matters."
"No!" Sokka pointed at her, his eyes narrowed. "That means every time I came back without catching a single fish, and you gave me all that support: 'Don't worry, Sokka, you'll get it next time.' You were actually mocking me behind my back!" He threw his hands up.
Katara made a face. "I wasn't mocking you, Sokka! I just… okay, maybe a little," she admitted, looking away with a guilty expression. "B-but you can't blame me! You couldn't hit a fish even if it was asleep."
Sokka opened his mouth, outraged, the words stuck in his throat as he tried to come up with a defense. But before he could answer, a sharp little scream cut through the air, drawing both their attention. They turned at the same time and saw, a few meters away, the village children along with some mothers, all with faces taken by astonishment and fascination.
Following their gaze, Sokka and Katara were left gaping. A few meters above the ground, floating in a whirlwind of air spinning below his waist, Ikari was holding a little girl on his shoulders. The girl, with messy braids swaying in the wind, spread her arms as if she were a bird, her face lit by a radiant smile as she screamed with pure joy, her voice echoing through the village.
"Katara… are you seeing this?!" Sokka asked slowly, rubbing his eyes hard, doubting his own vision.
"I… am seeing it, Sokka," Katara replied, her eyes fixed on the scene before them. 'Amazing…'
*******
Sokka collapsed into the snow, his body exhausted after yet another morning of being completely destroyed by Ikari in training. "I… can't take it anymore…" he groaned, his heavy breathing forming clouds of vapor in the icy air as he sprawled on the ground, arms dropped at his sides.
"Ok. That's enough for today." Ikari stopped beside him with a faint smile, impressed with the boy. Sokka had shown a striking difference compared to the first day of training. Despite the evident exhaustion, he was tougher, withstanding the impact of weapons better, defending himself with more precision, keeping up the fast pace longer, and needing fewer breaks to catch his breath. Even his counterattacks had improved — Sokka had managed to strike back several times, a big leap from the meager two attempts on the first day.
'What a terrifying evolution…' Ikari thought, lowering himself with the help of his staff. He examined the boy's hands, which were red and swollen again, but visibly less injured than at the start. Calluses were beginning to form, and the skin, though irritated, showed signs of adapting to the handling of weapons. 'Hakoda brought a genius into the world…'
Ikari turned his eyes to Sokka's face. "How are you feeling?"
"Haah… haah… haah… I think I'm at death's door… again…"
"I'm being serious," Ikari insisted, giving Sokka a light pat on the arm, which immediately made him flinch with a groan of pain.
"Hey! I'm exhausted and my arms feel like rocks! So please, don't touch!" Sokka retorted, casting a reproachful look while guarding his aching arm.
Ikari let out a low chuckle. "But it's better than the first day, isn't it?"
"Huh…" Sokka paused, furrowing his brow as he thought. "I guess… yeah? I mean, I don't know, all I can think about is eating and passing out in my tent."
"Come on, Sokka. Didn't you notice how much you've improved? Your strikes are stronger, your defense is quicker… I'm proud, you know?"
Sokka blinked, still panting, but a spark of pride lit up in his eyes, even though he tried to hide it. "You… really think so?"
"Of course I do," Ikari answered with conviction. "You've got the potential to be a great warrior. You just need to keep it up."
Sokka tried to stand, but his arms trembled, and he gave up, lying back down with a groan. "Cool, cool… but everything still hurts."
Ikari placed his staff on the ground and extended his hands to Sokka. "That's how it is. But your body's already adapting, and soon enough you'll be blocking my attacks without even blinking." He pulled Sokka into a sitting position, ignoring his grumbling. "Now, come on. Let's get something to eat before you actually die." Ikari stood and offered his hand, seeing that this time he wouldn't have to carry him.
Sokka accepted the help, standing with difficulty. "If food's involved… I can hang on a bit longer."
"Good to know."
**********
"I-Ikari, I-I'm doing it!"
'Correction, Hakoda brought two geniuses into the world,' Ikari thought, watching Katara keep a ball of water floating perfectly in the air.
Unlike the previous days, when they trained at sea so Katara could feel the rhythm of the waves, today they were outside the village, near the wall. Ikari had decided that Katara had already understood enough of the natural movement of water to move on to more controlled exercises on land.
He had placed a bucket of water in front of her and instructed her to mold the water into a circular shape and keep it in the air. And after a few attempts, Katara had managed to form the sphere that now floated before her.
'How far will she go once she's taught by a master?' Ikari wondered, bringing his hand to his chin. Katara's natural ability was undeniable. He no longer had any doubts about that. She was a prodigy. "You're doing really well, Katara, I'm impressed."
Katara blushed, but kept her focus on the water ball, which wavered slightly because of the compliment. "Thank you… but… it's hard. It feels like it's going to slip away any moment," she replied, biting her lower lip, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"It's natural," Ikari assured, stepping a little closer. "Now, let's raise the level. Try moving the water forward and back. Very slowly, don't lose its flow."
Katara nodded, her eyes shining with determination. She moved her hands slowly forward and then back, guiding the water in a fluid motion. For a moment, the sphere obeyed, stretching slightly as it followed the command, hovering in the air.
But then, the water shuddered. Droplets began to fall, scattering to the ground. Katara's eyes widened as she tried desperately to regain control, but the sphere collapsed, crashing to the floor in a splash that soaked her boots.
"Argh!" Katara exclaimed, frustrated, her hands falling to her sides. "I was doing so well…"
"You are doing well. Come on, try again."
"Okay!"
***********
Liked it? Then you might enjoy my other stories too: Stranger Things: Worlds Collide and BNHA: God of Explosions.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.