Chapter 25: Warrior (1)

"Hah! Raise your guard!" Sokka exclaimed, waving his club while Nik lied on his sides with a lazy expression.

"Forget it," Nik sighed, "It's not like I'm going to fight anyone."

"You're currently fighting me!" Sokka scowled.

"Why?" Nik groaned.

"Because you don't know how to fight! A man needs to learn how to be a warrior, too."

Sokka poked the club against Nik's chest, taunting, "Come on, you're more than just a magic freak, right? Even little kids from the village know how to handle a stick."

Nik pursed his lips. His background allowed him to think a lot more than what Sokka had intended to convey. Still, Nik swatted Sokka's club away and turned around, "I'm not interested in fighting. You hurt someone else, then you get hurt in return."

It was already morning. Once again, Nik slept without any atrocious face haunting his dreams, however, at the time, Nik had failed to realize that it was Sokka who would haunt him after the sun rose from the horizon.

"Nik, come help us pack up," Katara called out as she folded the tarp and Nik finally sat up, "Sure thing."

"Hey! We're not done," Sokka called out, "You have to learn at least the basic moves for self-defense."

"Oh really?" Nik scoffed. He understood well what the other three were planning. Somehow, Aang is supposed to shoulder the weight of the world. One of the missions granted to him by the Transmigration Paradise suggests that Aang's identity brought him benefits greater than what the so-called 'Phoenix' himself has. Meanwhile, Katara and Sokka were looking for their father and had a goal of learning waterbending. Both of these goals would put them against some very dangerous opponents, according to Sokka.

Nik only wanted to hitchhike in the first place. He loved being safe. Safety is awesome. At least, he wanted to not risk himself in any way until four more days pass and he is eligible to return to his homeworld. Everything else was truly a bonus for him. Seeing the statues of Avatar, learning this world's history, and understanding the terrors of war, everything.

As Nik crouched to help Katara pack up the tents, learning and doing the same things that she did, he heard her speak up.

"I overheard what you were talking about," Katara held the two edges from her side while Nik held them from his side as they stood up and folded the tarp simultaneously, "What Sokka meant wasn't to hurt anyone. Even back in the tribe... in other villages, we have heard a few cases of young chieftains hurting others without any cause. It isn't just the war that's left us torn, but also its remnants. However, even you must have noticed that Sokka isn't like that.

And I think that he may be right."

Katara kept her tone low and soft so that her brother doesn't hear her praising him. It would be a nightmare if he actually heard it.

"About men being warriors?" Nik questioned.

"Oh, not at all. Every person has the choice of who he or she wants to be, Sokka's just an idiot." Katara gave a sly smirk as they walked towards each other, completing the fold of the tarp, "I've seen you hold a spear. You really could use some sessions to at least not look like a complete rookie."

"Says the expert Waterbender," Nik smiled.

"Hey, I'll have you know that I am indeed capable, unlike your sarcastic tone may suggest."

Katara narrowed her gaze and packed the tarp away before standing up once again, pushing the package onto Nik's arm.

*Huff*

"There you go," Katara patted her robes clean while Nik shrugged and climbed onto Appa. Sokka was already there but he just snorted and looked away.

"Come on, It was just some basic moves," he grumbled.

"Why do you even care?" Nik inquired.

"Care? Me?" Sokka scoffed, "Get burned by some Fire Nation thug for all I care." He crossed his arms and leaned back.

"It sounds like you do care, Sokka," Aang turned around, smiling while holding the reigns on Appa and Katara climbed up, too.

*Krmm*

Momo flew over, landing in front of Nik before quickly jumping onto Aang's head.

"I don't care!" Sokka shouted.

"You know, I would like to learn how to hold a spear properly," Nik sighed. In retrospect, if he knew how to defend himself then many things would not have turned out the way they had.

"Really?!" Sokka's expression brightened and an excited grin claimed his lips before he coughed and leaned back with a cool expression, "See, Katara, I told you I'll have a proper student one day."

"You're going to be a terrible teacher, huh," Katara sighed and shook her head.

---

Aang's next destination was a recreational stop. After a good night's sleep, he had started to feel better once again but easily claiming that he still needed cheering up without a hint of shame, Aang led the group to a coastline along the Patola Mountain Range before landing. This time, fully knowing that the chill would eventually get him, Nik wore the fur coat dutifully. The landing spot was sparsely covered by snow and the trees were only a poor excuse of naked branches at the moment.

Excitedly jumping down Appa, Aang hurriedly slipped out of his orange shawl and tunic before removing his breeches and boots, revealing brown underwear as he ran up to the sea.

"You guys! Riding an Elephant Koi Fish is really awesome! Come join me!" Aang called out as he jumped into the water with a cheerful— Whoo-hoo!

"Aang, be careful!" Katara called out but Aang revealed a stunning swimming speed as he was already reaching towards the middle of the lake.

Just feeling the cold breeze on his face made Nik shiver by the fact that the water would be much colder however Aang seemed unfazed.

"Alright, ready for your first lesson?" Sokka inquired as he brought down his spear alongside.

"Right now?" Nik frowned.

"What?"

"I was hoping for a... warmer climate before starting to train," Nik replied and Sokka pursed his lips.

"Anyways, you hold a spear like this."

Sokka began.

He gripped the spear tightly before stabbing it in the air twice like quick jabs and then stretched his hand out to pass the spear onto Nik.

Seeing everybody already getting down to their businesses, Katara instantly sighed and looked towards Aang in hopes of some entertainment.

Meanwhile, Nik held the spear in his grasp.

"No, a little lower," Sokka remarked seeing the position of Nik's hold as the traveler complied and brought his clutches a little lower.

"Great," Sokka nodded seeing this, and pushed his left leg forward, "Now, every weapon has a particular advantage. In fact, weapons are created in a variety of shapes to bring different advantages itself. The spear has a longer reach and is tipped by a blade to make the front heavier. It is a great tool for self-defense since it keeps you in a safe distance, but you can only benefit from it if you know how to use it." Sokka looked patient as he explained everything and suddenly moved, easily reaching past the spear's intended range as he took out the curved stone club from his back and held it against Nik's face.

"But with Advantages comes disadvantages, too. Funny thing, life is fair like that. Once the enemy surpasses the range of the spear, you would need to be an expert to gain an advantage in the fight or even survive the attacks."

"Got it," Nik nodded, "Stab and stay away."

Unexpectedly, Sokka's expressed his appreciation, "Exactly. We're not trying to fight random battles. Stab and stay away. Or, if you are quick, stab and run away. I used to do this with Polar Bear Dogs a little further south from the village."

"Almost got us killed that day," Katara scoffed without looking back.

Sokka shrugged, after all, she was right.

"Hmm, now, practice stabbing in the air," Sokka retracted his weapon and instructed while equally fascinated by such a tactic of stabbing and escaping, Nik began stabbing. Sokka corrected his position a few times. For instance, he showed where the toes must be facing while taking a stance or how the shoulders should and waits should move to gain the greatest force.

"Guys!"

Aang's shout broke Sokka and Nik out of their focus as they looked towards the sea. The coastline of this side of the island was curved like the crescent moon and close to the left edge of the coastline, the trio on the ground plus Momo and Appa looked at a giant dorsal fin erecting. Dark grey in color, the dorsal fin interconnected with six spines, the fin completely dwarfed the young avatar.

"Look, this is an elephant koi!" Aang grinned, waving his hands excitedly.

The look of amazement in the trio's eyes slowly grew dim as the water behind Aang grew like a small hill until giving way to a large serpentine head with relatively beady but giant eyes coldly staring at Aang.

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*Ghhhrrraagggghhhh*

Appa roared, its body crouched with caution while Momo ran and hit behind Appa.

"Get out of there!" Sokka shouted.

"Huh, why are they so afraid—" Aang's voice was stuck in his throat as he looked back. His eyes widened in surprise as the giant maw opening up to reveal two sets of jagged and sharp teeth like some shredder and Aang instantly swam, no, he ran.

'He's running on water...' Nik and the others grew dumbfounded.

"Aaaghhhhhhh!"

Aang screamed without any purpose aside from angering the aquatic deity as it issued a stunning screech and fully stretched out of the water. Green eyes menacingly stared at the shouting 'monkey' while the 'fish' revealed itself to be some form of a serpent. Two dark grey barbels hung long and low from the beast's mouth and aside from the giant dorsal fin contracted on the base of its skull, the dark grey slippery beast had sharp spines growing out of its back.

*Khhhnaaaaannnn*

It screeched and suddenly let out a forceful jet of water from its mouth barely missing Aang as he finally reached the ground. But not holding the slightest intention of giving up, the beast followed by diving in the water and created a large wave as it followed him.

"Run!" Nik scowled and everyone held the same thought. Half-naked, the Avatar and the small group ran with Appa being able to jump high and long to cover the ground more quickly. In fact, Appa seemed to be clearly more focused on outrunning the group. After all, that's what truly mattered, right?

The screeches of the aquatic threat turned low as the group covered more ground before stopping, huffing and puffing except for Aang.

"That wasn't an Elephant Koi after all, huh... I wonder what else has changed over the years."

He blushed and looked away, quickly wearing his clothes after drying his underwear with a simple blow of hot gust, before whistling and collecting his hands behind his back. Feeling the glares from his acquaintances, Aang coughed and suddenly pointed in the distance, "Look! A village."

Looking towards the pointed direction, the group truly saw an entrance that lead to a small settlement. The island was quite small so the group had already covered quite a bit of distance and could reach the other end of the island towards the village if they had kept the same pace.

The trees around this region had increased in number but they were still without any leaves. Seeing the village, Sokka controlled his frustration and raised his hand, gesturing everyone to turn silent and then looked around.

"We've coincidentally walked into a recent trail..." he commented softly as he looked at the minimum amount of snow and ice in the form of a thin road.

"Alright, we need to leave. Now," Sokka turned around and Aang lowered his head, "But we only came here... come on, we can find food there."

However, this time, the sound of food failed to sway the young chieftain, "No, Aang. We discussed this before. You cannot reveal yourself without reason. And remember, we first solve the problem and then reveal your identity. Considering the small size and the lack of fire nation insignia, I'm assuming that this village's problem is none other than that giant... I want to say, Eel. We cannot help them, that's all. So, we cannot reveal you."

Crestfallen, Aang nodded but everyone heard a soft but crisp sound.

Alert, Sokka eyed Katara as the two nodded. Glancing at Nik and seeing the spear in his hands, Sokka looked thoughtful for a moment and then whispered, "Nik, stab and stay away."

Without any indication, Sokka hurriedly clutched the sheathed boomerang belted to his back and threw it while turning his body. With his other hand, he pulled out his club.

"Wha—"

Aang and Nik were stunned but dark green 'curtains' fell in the form of strange warriors with white face paint. They were silent but as they moved quickly and efficiently, they revealed the meaning of the term silent and deadly.

With an adequate warning from Sokka, Katara was prepared and she moved her arms, her palms ungloved as the snow and ice instantly rose and stopped one of the assailants in their tracks. With a whip of his staff, Aang deflected an entire person as they landed against a tree and Appa growled, making the warrior squeak in surprise. Taking this chance, Momo jumped on the said warrior, finally issuing a scream of surprise.

"Who are you?" Sokka scowled, his boomerang missed the target temporarily as he waved his club only to have his blow dodged while two metal war fans struck him on his sides. The others weren't faring well. The number of assailants was more than the group.

Nik, too, employed a stab and run tactic. He stabbed, which the shorter opponent evaded easily. He ran and the opponent instantly caught up with a swift dash and stuck their leg out to make Nik roll down before sitting on him and holding his hands behind his back with one arm and the other hand kept his face against the ground.

Katara was immobilized instantly. She could waterbend the ice and snow but happened to be slow in a battle, a valuable weakness exploited quite well. Finally, Aang was taken down by three such warriors the moment he found Momo being caught in a small bag.

"Wait!" Aang called out, "We'll go with you. Appa don't hurt them!"

His words quickly calmed Appa down who almost crushed a warrior down.

"No way!" Sokka smirked as he saw his boomerang returning. However, to his surprise, his opponent threw their fan behind, intercepting the blow.

"I'm... sorry," Nik scowled. He could feel the hold on his body but it wasn't worth mentioning. Disliking fights still didn't allow him to be physically weak after his rebirth. At least not weaker than a woman, that Nik now knew. He instantly turned around.

"Woah!" The opponent called out in surprise but as she turned to pick her fans, she realized that it was gone.

Holding the spear, Nik growled but failed to look menacing at all, "Let them go!"

"Whoo! I taught him that move!" Sokka chuckled.

"No, you didn't," Similar to Sokka, cornered against a tree, Katara caught the lie instantly.

"Or else?" The brown-haired woman stepped up, possibly the leader of the group, as she inquired coolly.

Nik fell silent and then spoke again.

"Please let them go."

The woman blinked and noticed Nik's stance, "You're no warrior. Lower the... joke of a spear before you poke yourself in the eye accidentally."

"Hey, that's an authentic water tribe spear!" Sokka stepped up, offended, but was pushed against the tree with the sharp fan against his neck.

"Last chance," Nik frowned.

"Or what?" The woman still looked calm, unthreatened.

Nik fell into a dilemma. At first, he thought of running. The only place he could retreat to was none other than the world hidden inside his scar. He then counted the number of attackers. There were twelve of them. And with their clearly superior combat abilities, Nik had no doubt that the little advantage he had with his physique would be drowned out.

"Or you will be sorry," Nik maintained his stance. He could retreat at any moment he wished so there was no reason to try and help his benefactors.

Without saying anything else, the woman rushed towards Nik. This time, Nik didn't try to stab the woman but confirmed her words regarding the low quality of the spear. Breaking it in two unequal halves with his hands, Nik equipped himself with two small sticks and attacked with a slashing move. One of the woman's metallic fans unfolded, deflecting the tip of the spear and the folded fan was smacked against Nik's other wrist, making him groan in pain as he subconsciously let go of the butt of the spear. Much to the woman's surprise, Nik held the folded fan.

While she was ready to enter in a contest of strength to subdue to man in front of her, the woman's shock was only added as the fan disappeared and his hands moved, catching her wrist. Once again, her gauntlet, too, disappeared.

Feeling a chill run down her scalp, the woman quickly retreated.

"If you keep pointing that fan at me, even I will make it disappear," Sokka took this chance, finally threatening the woman in front of her as she stepped back slightly uncomfortably. Everyone saw what Nik did.

"Stay back, or I will make your clothes disappear!" Nik finally looked threatening in the eyes of his opponent.

Seeing everyone's attention focused on Nik, Katara snarled and raised her hands forcefully. She instantly created a short wave out of the ice and froze it again, freezing the front of a woman temporarily.

"Hey!" Another warrior shouted but Aang moved at this moment, jumping high in the air as he sucked in a large volume of air before blowing it down, letting snow cover everybody, ally, and enemies.

"Look, we aren't bad guys," Aang shouted, "And we don't need to fight without a cause. Just let us be on our way."

The leader finally registered Aang's move and her eyes widened in surprise. Her head was covered in snow as she quickly wiped it off and looked at Aang, her face paint already smudging because of the snow.

"You're... an Airbender. The last Airbender... a survivor... you must know the previous Avatar then!"

"Warriors, stand down. Let this group explain themselves! And you, don't move. I want my stuff back!" The woman pointed at Nik.

'Well... the fans are turned into points. Good thing I didn't destroy the gauntlet.'

Nik frowned but seeing the situation turning calm once again, he did not make any sudden movements this time around.

***

A/N: At first, I had planned for Sokka to win against the Kyoshi Warriors since he is now an adult and a great warrior but then I realized that the Kyoshi Warriors would have grown, too, and would be better warriors. Not only that, the number of Kyoshi warriors this time around will be greater than the show because it is six years later and more initiates would have been accepted.

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