I was in edge as we landed on the island. I had become much more peaceful and relaxed at the temple as there were many meditation techniques that survived and I had grown to like meditating. Yet, despite the new relaxed nature I had discovered in myself I was still anxious about the Kyoshi warriors attacking us. I was much more powerful than I had been in my last life but I definitely wasn't confident about my chances against actual warriors.
Our military training was only partial as massive wars had broken out between many country's and the US military hadn't had the time to pull back forces at military bases outside the US. There weren't many training bases outside the country but I was in one of the few. We had been put on the front lines without complete training when the enemy laid siege to the joint training fort I had been on.
That place was where I had died and while our CQC training had been good, I still didn't feel comfortable against people who had gone through training and gained experience. I also knew that they would have the numbers advantage and I couldn't use my bending on them as they would be allies. When Aang cannonballed into Sokka I grabbed my staff and prepared myself to fight.
I backed away as they dropped from the trees and took down the three and tied them up. Appa was my only back up and he had wandered off to find some food. I backed up to the water line and leveled my staff at them. I had practiced what I new and had learned a bit of the staff combat airbenders learned. They incircled me at the water and began attacking. I pulled the ripcords of my shields causing them to flip out and I spun and swung my staff at their legs.
They were toppled in an instant as they couldn't stop my powerful swing and the weight of the staff. I wore chainmail armor with plate on top along with furs. I had made holes in my armor at places I shot combustion blasts from and had removed my hood entirely. With the armor and my body weight I had to make a much larger and tougher glider. Most enemies that weren't physically powerful wouldn't have a chance against my staff.
As soon as the ones I had hit landed multiple attacks hit me as well. They were mostly ineffective but they still had a bit of an effect. We went like this until I could no longer attack and only defend. I had been backed into the water and my armor, which hadn't been in very good condition had been falling apart since the beginning. Being completely worn out and not using my bending I unstrapped the rest of my armor till I was only wearing the tight and now wet monk robes I had put together.
I looked to Suki and tossed my staff to her and stumbled my way out of the water. As soon as I was out all but Suki attacked and I was blindfolded and tied up. A bit later I woke up slumped against a totem pole thing while tied to it. The little interrogation happened and aang did his avatar reveal. Afterwards we were treated like important guests and taken to a private building to stay in and they fed us a small feast of desserts.
The first day was mostly them running around and me resting after getting beaten up. When Sokka went to the warriors to show off I followed him and simple leaned against the door frame as he embarrassed himself. After a bit he recovered and went back to them to apologize and ask for training. I followed him and even wore the uniform and face paint.
The training to a bit for us to get used to but we both eventually stopped fumbling. I wasnt there for Sokka and Sukis little personal training session as I was preparing for Zukos arrival. I had repaired the bit of damage my shields and staff had taken, got new fire resistant monk robes made and found and fixed my the furs I had. I was waiting at Kyoshi's statue to stop them from fighting in town with fire bending.
Zuko and around 30 troops entered on lizard rhinos and stooped in front of me. 'Where is the Avatar?! He can't hide from me forever.' I didn't answer him and simply raised my staff. With a scowl to me he ordered his men to find Aang. They attempted to march past me but I made the largest and hottest wall of flames I could to bar them entry. Iroh was in the back of the formation and I could see him frown in concern. When he looked toward me and caught my eye I winked and walked forward while stopping the flame wall.
As soon as the wall disappeared the firebenders could see the Gaang had popped up behind me along with the Kyoshi warriors. I stopped in front of Zuko and said 'Prince Zuko of the fire nation, I Sair Ellery challenge you to an Agni Kai here and now. If I win you will leave this place and never return with hostile intentions.'
He leveled his best glare at me and leaped off his lizard rhino. 'I accept your challenge to Agni Kai. If I win the avatar comes with me in peace.' With that I tossed my staff to Aang and removed my shirt. Zuko did the same with his armor, shirt and weapons. The Kyoshi warriors and the fire nation soldiers formed a circle around us as the Gaang and Iroh watched along with a large group of villagers.
We squared up with each other and he started with a blast of fire I easily swept away. His technique easily beat out my own and I was quickly put in the back foot. His normal fire attacks were quick, precise, and powerful. Despite his attacks he hadn't been able to do anything as I had trained air bender staff combat and I could easily dodge or eliminate most attacks. We continued like this for a few minutes until he got frustrated and charged.
I stopped his charge by launching a small blast behind him, catching him off guard. The blast hurled him at me and I sidestepped while putting my arm out. As he passed his chin met my arm and he got a massive clothesline to the face. He did a single flip to the ground and didn't get up. I walked over and checked if he was okay. After checking on him I waved Iroh over and asked him to make sure that Zuko adhered to the rules of the Agni Kai.
With the fire nation leaving in peace we spent a few hours preparing supplies and such before leaving. We left comfortably with plenty of supplies and Sokka in love. The sunset from Appas back was stunning over the ocean and I fell into meditation a few minutes after dark. We spent a few days travel going to Omashu which I spent meditating, relaxing, helping the others and simply enjoying life. Eventually while walking and letting Appa rest from carrying us we crested a hill and saw the city carved out of a mountain. At the edge of the cliff Aang raised his hands and announced 'THE EARTH KINGDOM OF OMASHU!'