Back in the city, walking toward the palace, I was hit with a wave of positive emotions: joy, happiness, and warmth. It felt like I'd only been gone for a couple of weeks, but my little sister was overjoyed to see me, as if we hadn't seen each other in years. It was like that every time—even two days apart felt like a tragedy. I remembered how every Monday she'd wait for me at the Oasis of Spirits, looking like Hachiko, eager for my return. All she needed was a wagging tail to complete the picture.
"Brother!" I heard a shout from the end of the street. Turning, I saw Yui and Katara skating toward me on ice they'd created with their waterbending. It seemed they'd made great progress in mastering ice bending while I was away.
"Easy there, you'll crush me!" I laughed as they jumped on me. "Looks like you've both made great progress," I said, holding a little princess from the North in one arm and one from the South in the other, smiling gently.
"Of course, it was so easy!" Yui boasted. "I was the first to recreate ice techniques," she added, sticking her tongue out at her rival.
"Only by thirty minutes," Katara protested, clearly annoyed at being outdone. She hated falling behind. I'd have to show her the progress of other students. She was too focused on Yui's abnormal talent. Though… it was debatable. Katara had caught up to Yui in skill; she was right on her heels. Her natural talent wasn't to be underestimated either.
"You're both super strong benders. Soon, you'll be teaching me," I joked, pulling them closer. "Where's Sokka? Bothering Dad again?" I asked.
"Yeah, he says he'll be the greatest chief one day, so he needs to learn everything," Katara said enthusiastically. "I'll help him too, and we'll rebuild those beautiful houses. You'll help, Yuki, right?" That pleading face left me no choice. I nodded decisively.
Sokka had become determined to restore the Southern Tribe and had been training for a year. Every day, he worked out, studied books, and bothered Arnuk for wisdom. At first, Dad thought it was just a phase, but seeing Sokka's persistence, he gave him a chance. Now, they were often seen together, and I was glad. Dad hadn't had much time to guide his wayward son, who'd grown up too fast. Sokka, having lost his father early, saw Arnuk as a close uncle figure.
After a short trip, I decided to master new abilities in earth and fire bending. I flew away from our pole for a day or two to find suitable conditions.
I wanted to learn lightning redirection, and the best way was to observe nature—or rather, get struck by lightning. The best idea was to find a place where lightning constantly struck. It might seem foolish to a regular bender, but as a skilled healer, I could handle it.
Finding such a place wasn't hard. By launching fireballs into the sky, I attracted a steady stream of lightning. Being slightly charred wasn't fun, but each strike helped me understand lightning's nature better. After hours under a lightning shower, my chi barely keeping up with the damage, I finally grasped the technique of redirecting lightning.
"Ha-ha-ha, feel the power of the dark side, kha kha!" I tried mimicking a cunning Star Wars character, redirecting lightning. Success was close—until I choked on my saliva…
Later, sensing the channels lightning followed, I replicated nature's masterpiece, though weaker. Natural lightning fried me like a… well, badly. Mine could only paralyze—a passing rabbit could vouch for that. Still, the technique was learned. Now, practice, practice, practice.
Next, I tackled lavabending. I could've studied it earlier, but my underground training ground wasn't ideal. The air was already stifling, and firebending made it unbearable.
I found an uninhabited rocky island near the North Pole, where I could master this without distractions.
Lavabending is complex for a pure earthbender. It requires simultaneously spinning and compressing earth to lava temperatures. An easier way is to be the Avatar—or have both fire and earthbending. Or, like Bolin, have a firebending parent.
I could only create lava by combining earth and firebending. Experienced earthbenders can spin rock to high temperatures. For me, it's 90% earth energy and 10% fire. Over time, I'll reduce the fire percentage, relying purely on earthbending.
Finally, I enhanced my sensitivity to earth and firebending. It was simpler than expected. My spirit senses had been focused on waterbending, treating other elements as background noise. When I opened myself to the others, I collapsed from sensory overload. I felt ants carrying food, a rodent digging a burrow, and with firebending, I sensed… life flames? I don't know how to explain it, but I saw glowing embers where animals were—some bright, others like dying campfires. It was like merging sensory abilities with firebending's life energy. No wonder fire is called the start of life.
I recovered cautiously, fearing another collapse. Now, I must be careful with my senses—the information is overwhelming. Start small.
I extended my water-based senses to ten meters, then added seismic sensitivity. It was uncomfortable but manageable. For now, I'll use two elements at short range or one at full power until I adapt. Still, it's amazing—no one can sneak up on me from land or water. Adding fire senses means no living being can approach unnoticed. Only air is missing. I'll test this on spirits; they have no life flame, and some humans might evade my senses. I must remember: arrogance isn't good!
*
Kiyoshi Island's military greeted me unwelcomingly. I didn't expect bread and salt, but a silent attack was excessive. What if I'm the Prince of the Fire Nation or some aristocrat with powerful allies?!
As I stepped onto the beach, six girls in traditional Kiyoshi warrior attire emerged from the trees. Their faces bore an uncharacteristic sternness, and they were fully armed. Three aimed bows at me, while three ran toward me—one with a katana, the others with fans.
Before I could declare peaceful intentions, one attacked with her battle fans. Looks like a fight was unavoidable. As I considered how to disable them gently, they pressed their attack. Thankfully, their strikes weren't lethal—they wanted me alive to interrogate later.
"This is cool, Yuki. You've always wanted to see Kiyoshi warriors," I thought. Seeing them in person was underwhelming, though what did I expect? Their beauty, even in full battle regalia, saved the situation.
"Maybe go easier, Shizuka? He hasn't done anything, and he doesn't look like a villain," one of them said thoughtfully—a voice of reason! If I wanted conflict, they'd already be disabled, but I preferred peace.
This wise remark came from the most sensible—or most exhausted—girl, as I'd been playing with them for over fifteen minutes. I didn't need complex bending; passive circulation of neutral energy enhanced my already inhuman abilities.
"You're too soft, Kiriko! Remember that aristocrat from the Earth Kingdom who promised trade? He turned out to be a spy! Because of your trust, two of us are badly hurt!" Shizuka scolded, her voice strong.
"I've been saying I'm not a pirate! I'm from the Water Tribe!" I shouted during their pause.
"Shut up! We'll talk later!" Shizuka said, nervously fidgeting with her fans, frustrated by her inability to capture me.
"He's not even attacking us. Let's just listen!" Kiriko, the voice of reason, spoke again. All hope rested on her.
"Fine, but we'll bind your hands and blindfold you," Shizuka said, likely their leader.
"No problem, Shi-zu-ka," I said, acting childishly. Her frustration was amusing.
I let Shizuka bind my hands and blindfold me, not mentioning I could still defeat them. Let them feel secure.
Wow, those hands weren't meant for me! While tying intricate knots, she practically groped my entire body. Maybe she was searching for hidden weapons, but it felt like deliberate touching.
"I said I came in peace—tried to, before you attacked," I said calmly as they led me to the settlement.
"These aren't peaceful times. I can't risk my villagers," Shizuka sighed. "And control your reflexes better. I thought you'd use earth or waterbending," she added. "How are you so powerful?!" I screamed in my mind. I'd almost struck out of habit but controlled my Spirit World-trained reflexes. Even she could sense chi—Suyuki had nothing on her.
They seated me on a platform in a house near the settlement. Using fire senses, I felt the entire island. About two hundred people lived here. Many had faint life flames, unlike the North, where chi surged. In a nearby building, I saw an unstable flame—someone was critically injured. Pirates had attacked recently. Healing the wounded would earn their trust.
"I hope you'll explain everything. I don't want to touch your pretty face," Shizuka said, removing my blindfold.
As I opened my eyes, I saw wooden walls. Then, turning forward…
"Never seen such beauties before?" she snapped her fingers in front of my eyes. "Don't stare so intently. I'll get embarrassed," she said, feigning shyness.
"Suyuki?!" I croaked. Standing before me was Suyuki's exact doppelgänger from the cartoon. No! I know what's happening—not again! It's Suyuki's mother! Without war paint and in casual clothes, they're indistinguishable! Higher powers, universe, whoever sent me here—thank you for this encounter!