Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Doppelganger ❯ Heated Training ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. Nick does.

 

Doppelganger

 

Chapter three

 

. . .

 

Kyle led Aang to a small clearing near their camp. There was a spring in a corner of the small field with waterfall spilling water into it. Katara and Sokka followed them and sat on rocks along the side of the clearing. Aang and Kyle stood across from each other a few meters away.

 

“Now…” Kyle started. “Before I can start to teach you, I have to know your current skill in bending in general. Fire in very difficult to control. It is much different than air, earth or water. Fire can spread unchecked and uncontrolled. Earth does not, air does not, and water does not, with some obvious exceptions. You need the control and discipline to bend fire. I must teach you that before you can go around sitting shit on fire.” Katara and Aang coughed in surprise of Kyle's choice of words.

 

Aang nodded uncertainly. “Al…right. What do we do?” he asked. Kyle smirked, showing his front teeth, sending a slight chill through Katara and making Aang a little nervous.

 

“Attack me.” Kyle said. Aang was stunned… attack him? “Go all out. And I will judge how skilled you are at control.”

 

Sokka spoke up. “Are you sure? I mean nobody should get hurt.” Kyle waved him off.

 

“Nobody will get injured. You have my word on that. Now then, I will go easy on you, Avatar. Come at me.” He waited for a few seconds. When Aang didn't move he growled. “Fine, then I will start.” He finished and thrust his arm forward and released a weak fireball, aimed directly at Aang. Aang easily dodged by jumping strait up out of the way. Kyle saw the jump coming and lobbed another flame sphere in the sky. Aang gave a yelp and twisted his body, adjusting his course in midair by shifting the air around him, barely missing the flames. He landed smoothly, and drew his arms into his preferred airbending stance, looking for his opponent.

 

There was dust falling back to the ground, obstructing his vision. Aang quickly spun around, spreading a small whirlwind from him, clearing the dust from the clearing.

 

“Behind you.” Aang nearly lost control of his bowels. He yelled and jumped away, turning around and thrusting his hand forward. A hard funnel of air careened toward Kyle, who smirked and braced himself by crossing his arm across his body. When the air blast got close enough, he threw his arm out. The air collided with his arm, and it was diffused. With that done, Kyle jumped strait at Aang. When he caught up to him, Aang was still in mid flight. Kyle pushed off from the ground and flung himself into the air. He pivoted at his apex and faced toward Aang. He had landed back on the ground and was staring at Kyle with disbelief.

 

How could anyone be this fast? Aang thought, starting to panic. How could he beat him when he's this fast? He would have to think beyond the ordinary. As his friend Bumi said to him, he would have to open his mind to the possibilities. As he was still in mid-thought he was staring down two columns of fire right in the face. With a frantic and desperate motion, he threw his hands up, sending two slashes of air in front of him. Immediately the fire columns split in half and the two outer half flew harmlessly to the sides. The two inner halves collided in front of the airbender, creating an explosion, and blowing Aang across the clearing.

 

Kyle landed smoothly on the ground and spaced his feet shoulder-length apart, held one arm over his head and bent in front of him, his other hand strait in front of him, and let out a hard breath. Two streams of fire exploded from the ground. The fire seemed to be coming from the ground. With another slow breath, he motioned his arms forward and the flames crawled over to the still-airborne monk.

 

Aang reached earth and slammed his hand behind his head, pushing himself up and quickly landed on his feet. He saw two streaks of fire crawling towards him at breakneck pace. He quickly thought of the situation. If he jumped strait up again, Kyle would counter the same way he did before. If he dodged to either side, he would have to do something about one of the fire attacks coming at him. He could borrow time by retreating backwards… He then thought of something Kyle wouldn't expect.

 

Aang ran toward the fire. When he reached a couple meters from the flames he spun in place and blew the fire out of the way with a quick gust, and continued running at the firebender. Aang was about to thrust a wall of air at Kyle, when he shot a hand out, grabbed Aang's arm, and threw Aang over his head, making the bald monk collide with a nearby tree.

 

“Nicely done, Aang! Keep it up!” He yelled and pulled himself into a fighting stance.

 

Aang groaned and stood up shakily. “Ouch…” He moaned and shook his head to rid himself of the dizziness. Dang it... Kyle saw that coming. He then felt a bit of fear. If he saw that coming… did he know how he thought of that? Did he know what would have happened if he dodged to the side? Or jumped up to evade? Aang knew that if he ever had to fight Kyle seriously… he would most certainly die. Just how good was he? How long did it take him to achieve this power… these skills…

 

He couldn't beat him… Aang realized. He could not beat him with his current skills. What could Aang do?

 

“What are you staring at?” Kyle demanded. “You can't get distracted like that in the middle of a real fight!” He yelled and flames exploded from the ground. The ground was being churned up and scorched while the flames were crawling toward Aang. Aang dodged to the side and blocked the flames in front of him with a wall of air. He acted in the blink of an eye. After he got rid of the fire he conjured a stream of air from his arm. With the air coming from his hand like a giant blade, he charged at Kyle.

 

The firebender lowered his hands, let out a soft breath, and turned his hands around, his palms facing the sky. With another exhaled breath, he raised his hands as quickly as his concentration would allow, which was extremely fast, and a meter wide wall of fire rose from the ground, forming a barrier between Aang and Kyle. Aang didn't even hesitate; he slammed his arm parallel to the ground, causing his pillar of air to split the flames right down the middle, and jumped through the momentary gap, his air sword trailing behind him.

 

Kyle had look of mild surprise for a split second, then readied himself for the impact. Aang brought his arm from underneath his body, causing the air trailing behind him to build up the force from traveling twice as fast as he was and it collided with a concentrated shield of scorching flames. The air from Aang's arm and the Flames from Kyle connected. Cinders and gusts of wind flew everywhere as the lock commenced. Aang looked right into Kyle's fierce eyes.

 

His eyes seemed excited. They seemed like he was enjoying himself with the fight. On his face was a look of exhilaration. Aang then knew…he knew that Kyle loved to fight. He lived to fight. He was glad Kyle was on their side.

 

With a fierce yell, Kyle forced Aang away from himself and spun himself low to the ground, spraying up the loose gravel and topsoil into the air with a slide. Finishing the spin, he blew a smoldering breath of fire into the air, setting the grass and weeds ablaze. Aang yelped and jumped back from the burning fragments of earth being flung at him. He landed on the ground and spun himself in a circle, creating a whirling gust, spreading the flaming particles in all directions around him.

 

“Hey that was a cool move!” Aang yelled excitedly. Kyle grinned manically.

 

“My thanks airbender!” He yelled and ran strait at Aang.

 

That's odd… Thought Aang. He never did a direct assault before. He can't mean to come at me directly. He's going to do something before he gets to me; something to distract me. Come on Aang… think! He then got an idea.

 

He swung his arm towards the ground, spreading dirt and rocks from the ground into the air. He picked up an idea similar to Kyle's previous move. While the rocks where still climbing in altitude, he spun his body in a quick jerk, and sent out a shockwave that accelerated the rocks ahead of him in a semi-wide angle. It was a good thing Katara and Sokka were behind him.

 

The rock that careened toward Kyle was going nearly the speed of sound. The boy had skills, he'd give him that. Just using fire, he couldn't stop or evade the stone. He was certainly impressed with the Avatar's control. But he certainly wasn't going to be taken down that easily.

Kyle slightly shifted his position in the air with a slight push of the currents, dodging the stone my millimeters. Actually, the stone grazed his temple, drawing a bead of blood. His shoulder scraped across the ground. Acting fast, he pushed his hand on the ground and counterbalanced himself by spinning himself using his other hand. He stuck his legs out, and in a spinning fashion, kicked Aang across the chest, sending him flying (A/N: Kind of like Ryu or Ken from Street Fighter… only… upside down…).

 

Kyle straitened himself up and rubbed his head. “That was a close call for me. Nice try there.” Aang rolled over and pushed himself up with a groan.

 

“Ouch… again.” He moaned and sat back catching his breath.

 

On the sidelines, Sokka and Katara were flabbergasted. This had to be the coolest thing Saka would ever see in his life. Aang was obviously going all out. And Kyle… well… they didn't know how good he really is… But looking in on this fight was spectacular. Katara was at a loss for words. She was actually getting a little worried for Aang, seeing as how heated the match was getting. Kyle was certainly gifted. He was an amazing bender; that much was obvious. She was a little afraid of him now.

 

Kyle looked hard at Aang. As if he was trying to decide on something. Aang was breathing heavily with his hands on his knees. Taking advantage of this small time out, Aang looked around. The ground was scorched and torn up. But the trees and foliage around them was perfect. Nothing out of the ring had been burnt. This must be what he meant by `control'. With all the flames Kyle was shooting out, he still had enough control to not damage anything he shouldn't. That was true control.

 

Standing up, Aang tightened his stance. He would control his own movements as perfectly as he could.

 

“Time for round two?” Kyle smiled and cracked his knuckles. Aang shook his body, spraying dirt and pieces if wood from him

 

“I'm going to get you this time.” He shot back and brought his hands to chest height; one in front of the other. He shifted his right leg more to the left, in front of his left foot. He was going to take Kyle down. He then noticed that the air was getting warm. He felt his blood freeze despite the temperature and he looked at Kyle.

 

He was in a hard, rooted stance. His legs were spaced apart and his arms were lowered to waist height. He was looking directly at Aang. The monk looked around. There was no fire, none that he could see. But he was still getting warmer and warmer. What was Kyle doing? Ok, Aang had to think. Kyle was somehow making his body heat up. Aang didn't know how hot Kyle could make him. For all the airbender knew he could roast Aang like a pig. That would be bad.

 

“Better do something quick Avatar. They human body can only take so much heat.” Kyle said with a grim expression. He didn't lower his stance at all.

 

Letting out a sharp exhale, Aang twisted and launched a flat plane of air at the rooted firebender. Hopefully that would break his concentration, Aang though.

 

Kyle's eyes narrowed. When the air reached him the space around him seemed to go out of focus. There was a quiet kind of `pop' followed by a bright flash. When the flash receded, Kyle stood flawless. What had happened?

 

“That can be easily explained…” Kyle smiled at Aang, who had a look of confusion on his face. “Air is not solid. But it can still be susceptible to heat. If I superheated the air around me to a high enough degrees… even air will be vaporized.” Aang gasped. Kyle had vaporized the air had sent at him? He had never even heard of that kind of move. And he was still heating up! Aang started to sweat.

 

Dang it! He had to think of something! Come on, open his brain! his brain!

 

He started to run in circles. Causing the wind to speed up around him. He had to cool himself! He couldn't think! The hotter he got the faster he ran. Faster and faster we spun. He then noticed the trees blowing in the wind. Kyle could heat up the air around him and vaporize pretty much anything. But he couldn't get it so hot that the trees wouldn't get vaporized until they reached him, could he?

 

Smiling, he stopped running. He then brought him arms on front of him, and madea kind of swimming motion with his arms, though much more fluid. He started moving the currents along side of him faster. The faster he churned then the more the trees moved. This would get him fore sure. Soon the trees were being pulled from the earth by the roots. And just when Aang was too hot to bare, the trees pulled free.

 

Aang did his best to aim at Kyle, and the closest tree headed strait for him. The tree came close, then ignited immediately. It seemed to explode, the bark and foliage turned to cinders in the blink of an eye, but the tree kept going. At the last second, Kyle leapt into the air, missing the tree by inches.

 

With a grin, Aang leapt into the air with a boost from the currents toward Kyle. Kyle smirked and launched a stream of flames at the impending airbender. Before the flames hit Aang, he shifted his weight to his left side and changed his course in the air, dodging the flames. When the fire passed, Aang resumed his course toward Kyle. The airbender reached his adversary, and created a current to speed up his punch at Kyle. Aang's fist collided with the firebender's arm, and Kyle pushed out his leg, attempting to force Aang away. In retaliation, the young monk shifted his position to evade the kick and spun another kick at Kyle.

 

“You're getting better!” Kyle yelled and blocked Aang's leg with his own. Aang's surprise punch he planned to act with the kick was also blocked with Kyle's own hand. Even with air currents to speed up his attacks, Kyle was faster than him! He aimed his last punch at the firebender, who caught it deftly with his other hand. The two of them were locked in each other's holds. Then they started to fall to the ground.

 

When they felt the ground graze their feet, they broke apart from each other and landed soundly on the scarred earth.

 

“You ain't seen nothing yet!” Aang yelled and leapt a few feet in the air, spun, and released a vertical plane of air at the firebender, and landed on the ground. Back on the ground, he spun again and released a horizontal wave of air in succession after the last one. Kyle sidestepped to avoid the first wave and flipped backwards to avoid the second one, it passed right under him at the apex of the jump. He landed one leg on the ground and while the other leg was still coming down looked up just in time to see another wave coming at him not even a foot away. Aang had sent a third wave right after the second one, on the same rotation!

 

“Shit!” Kyle cursed and thought quickly. He pushed with the leg that just had landed on the ground, and did a horizontal spin, barely missing the plane of air that roared under him. He landed with a soft `thud' with both feet on the ground.

 

Aang growled and did an lopsided spin. It looked odd but it served a particular purpose. At every certain point of the spin he released at wave or air at his opponent. When the spin was finished, Aang had sent ten differently angled waves of air at Kyle.

 

The first wave reached Kyle and he spun into the air at the same angle, dodging the first wave, the second was no more that have a foot in front of him. This had to be the most talented airbender he ever met. He was certainly a master, as his arrows proved. He couldn't rely on air to help him, as Aang would notice. He almost noticed the last time he used airbending. He couldn't risk getting found out this early. He released a flame plume in front of him, diffusing the second wave, and landed on the ground with a smooth motion. Before the third got to him, he circled his hands quickly and released of sphere of flames around him. The rest of the waves him the shield of fire and exploded.

 

When the dust settled Aang looked at his handiwork. He nearly fell over when he saw Kyle standing there, unscathed.

 

He was quiet for a moment, then smirked. “That was impressive.” He clapped. “I think were done for today.” Aang sighed and collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. Sokka and Katara ran over to him, followed by Kyle, at a walk. Katara helped Aang up to a sitting position. By that time Kyle had reached the trio and kneeled beside him. “Good job there. You have excellent skills.”

 

Aang coughed and grinned up at the firebender. “Thanks. Your really impressive too.” He let out another great sigh and rubbed his shoulder roughly. “Did you really have to go all out like that?”

 

Kyle stood up and walked over to the spring. “I didn't go all out!” He called back to them and with a hard exhale, he heated the spring using a plume of flame. After doing that, he came over to Aang, picked him up by the collar, and marched over to the heated spring, tossing the young monk in. He yelled out at first but sighed and sunk up to his nose, his eyes smiling. Bubbles rose from his mouth under the water. “Yea I'll bet you needed that.” Kyle laughed and turned to Sokka and Katara. “You guys want in?” He asked, motioning to the steaming water, pulling off his coat. Sokka shrugged and pulled off his shirt.

 

“There is no way in taking a bath with three guys. Now way at all.” Katara stated and walked back toward the camp, her face heating up with blood. Sokka laughed and jumped in his water.

 

“Don't mind her, she just likes to whine.” Saying that he slumped in hot water and sighed. Kyle shook his head and pulled off his shirt. Throwing his clothing on a nearby rock, he stepped into the water.

 

“Now, Aang, after testing you potential, I have made a decision.” He started. Aang opened his eyes and shot up, listening attentively. “You have excellent control of you bending. Did you happen to notice anything about mine?”

 

Aang nodded. “Yea, I noticed that you didn't burn anything but the ground. All the trees and leaves were left unburned. You were controlling the fire so it wouldn't burn it.” Kyle nodded appreciatively.

 

“Good observation. That's right. Before you learn to shoot things with fire, you must learn tight control, as not to burn and destroy the things you care about. “His eyes fell to Sokka, and then to where Katara left. “So, keeping that in mind, I have a proposition for you.” Aang nodded, listening acutely. “Wait for me to teach you firebending until you master water and earth.”

 

Aang opened his mouth as if to argue. But Kyle silenced him. “I have met lots of benders. Waterbenders… earthbenders… And firebenders… and from what I have gathered… fire is the hardest to control. So if you learn to master the control of water, earth, and air, I will teach you to control fire…” He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. “Do we have a deal?” He held out his hand, which Aang took.

 

“Deal.”

 

. . .

 

Katara was sure she saw it. He was moving blindingly fast, but she saw it. When Aang launched the rocks at Kyle, he had shifted his position in midair. She had only seen Aang do that. She was sure that was airbending. But how could he be an airbender? He was a firebender, wasn't he?

 

Katara had finished packing up the camp and had started walking back to the spring to get the boys. If he could airbend… does that mean he can waterbend? Or earthbend? But the Avatar was Aang… not Kyle. Could there be two Avatars? She stopped cold. Could there be? Maybe… another Avatar had been born in Aang's absence… She thought of that possibility. But he said he wasn't born with bending talents. If he wasn't lying… then he would have had to acquire them somehow. But you couldn't just get bending powers. You had to be born with them.

 

All this reasoning was making Katara's head hurt. She would have to ask him flat out. She reached the clearing and saw the three of them walking towards her from the spring. Thankfully her brother was clothed and Aang had on is usual garb. Kyle, on the other hand, had his shirt and coat draped over his shoulder. She was sure now, with the sunlight as proof, he was very pale. Her complexion was slightly brown, as was her brother. And Aang was light, but Kyle was easily twice as light as Aang. But even with the light complexion of his skin, the guy had muscles. Her heart sped up and she blushed quickly.

 

As quick as she could she whirled around. “C-c-come on you guys… the camp is packed and ready to go.” She tried to yell but failed. It came out a meek call. Nevertheless, it was heard.

 

“All right, North Pole, here we come!” Aang cheered and ran up ahead to prep Appa. Katara looked at Kyle with curiosity.

 

“You aren't going to teach Aang firebending? You're the most talented bender I've ever seen!” She deliberately said bender to try and catch him off guard. This was not unnoticed by Kyle, who cocked an eyebrow at her.

 

“Aang has agreed to master water and earthbending before I teach him firebending. This is in order to prepare the mind for mastering the control of fire.” He explained and threw his shirt over his head, covering his torso. “But… What I have decided to teach him up until we reach the North Pole, is basic exercises.” He finished, pulling on his duster.

 

Katara nodded and slowed down so she was beside him. “So… what did you say you did at the North Pole when you were there?” Kyle cleared his throat.

 

“I didn't say what I did there. But I drilled with the guard and gave them information of the current status of the fire nation.” He replied, not liking where this was going.

 

“I see…” Katara smiled. Saka glanced at her as If wondering where she was going with this. “So they should remember you then, since you are pretty much the only firebender that's probably been up there in a long while.” Kyle grunted an acquiesce. She was a smart girl. She reminded Kyle so much like Sanea… He shook his head forcibly. Damn it he was stronger than that.

 

“You're point is?” He asked shortly. Katara stopped in her tracked and grabbed the back of Kyle's coat.

 

“We'll meet you at the camp, Sokka. I need to ask him about the teaching methods used in the North Pole.” Sokka looked at Katara oddly for a second the shrugged and continued walking. Kyle sighed and turned to look at Katara.

 

“So what do you know?” He asked blankly.

 

Katara smiled a nasty smile. “I know you can airbend and firebend. Any other elements you can manipulate?” Damn the girl was smart. He couldn't change her mind, Kyle knew that.

 

He looked strait into Katara's eyes. “All four.” He stated. Katara glared at him.

 

“How is that possible? Aang is the Avatar.” She said, stating a fact.

 

Kyle smiled. “Yea, Aang is the Avatar. I suppose you can say I'm a… self fashioned Avatar.” He finished mysteriously. Katara was speechless. She didn't know what to say. She came up with the most logical thing that popped into her head.

 

“But you said you were born with no bending abilities.” She repeated his quote. Kyle looked up at the trees.

 

“That's true. I wasn't born a bender. I was made one.” He whispered. There was silence for a minute. Then Kyle sighed and his shoulders dropped. “I guess its story time, huh?” Katara nodded shakily. “Come on, when we next set camp up I'll explain everything. Until then, promise to keep it from Sokka and especially Aang?” Katara stood still for a minute then sighed, nodding. The two of them walked back to the camp, side by side.

 

. . .

 

A/N: Another chapter down. Well the fight scene did go by pretty fast. I wrote the first fight scene part at night. And the next part including the aftermath the next morning. My fingers flew on the keyboard. Read and review!