"Argh!" Ian sat up in frustration. 

Why couldn't he sleep? He had a big day tomorrow since he was sparing with Min, and getting a good night sleep was important. There was a reason Min was known as the most dangerous Air Bender in the entire Temple. She was fast, clever, creative, 

and adaptive. She also somehow inherited the ability to read people like a book, though she wasn't nearly as good as he was. 

Without warning Ian leapt off the bed, something was wrong. He carefully followed his hunch through the Boy's hallway, his gut feeling strengthened as he approached the doorway that led to the intersection of Men's and Women's dormitories. Ian reached out for the door to the women's hallway but he stopped himself. What in the spirits was he doing? Boys weren't allowed in the Girl's hallway, and if he was caught? But it seemed that his body had other idea's. He carefully entered the dormitory, creeping like a ghost through the empty and still corridor. Ian tiptoed for some time when he heard weeping. He froze in his tracks and peeped through the ajar door. The sight sent a shock through his spine. Azula of all people, was crying in her sleep, as if reliving a nasty experience and to add to the shock, she was mumbling the same thing over and over but Ian was too far away to hear. He realized that his hunch has led him to her; a person in need. Against his better judgment, Ian ambled forward. 

"Shh, it's okay, you're safe." he whispered.

Azula began thrashing, as if she was fighting someone or something.

Ian tried again, 

"Everything is fine, no one is here, you are okay." 

She began to mumble again.

"I'm a monster." 

"No you're not, no one is." he soothed.

"I'm a monster." she continued.

"Azula, listen to me, you are not a monster, you are hurt and lost, I want… to help you."

To his surprise, Azula stilled. Ian smiled and got up to leave but as he stepped away from the bed, Azula began to jerk violently. Hesitantly, he returned and held Azula's cold clammy hand. She clasped it and calmed down. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Ian decided to stay until she fell into a deep sleep. Finally after an hour, Azula loosened her iron grip. Carefully, Ian air bent himself up and sneaked out of the women's dormitory to catch a few z's before the day arrived.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Good Morning Ian, I hope you haven't forgotten about our duel?"

"No, in fact, I didn't."

"Are you ready?" 

Ian smirked, he felt extremely energetic even if he only got four hours of sleep.

Min cracked her hands,

"Get ready to get your butt kicked, brother."

"Like that's going to happen."

Azula walked into the training grounds, Suki dragged her out of bed to watch the spare between Min and Ian. 

"So, you joined us after all." remarked Aang, he looked absolutely thrilled.

"Yeah, who you wanna bet on?" Sokka teased.

"I bet 10 silver on Min." Suki said rubbing her hands together.

"Psh, Ian for 20 silver." Sokka countered.

"You're on!" 

Azula rolled her eyes and sat beside Katara. She was interested in the style and 

the strategy Air Nomads used.

"Who do you think will win?" asked Katara.

"I can't say, I have to see them fight." Azula replied.

Ian and Min stood facing away from each other at each end of the the training arena.

The arena was purposely built like a colosseum where the viewers were above and potentially out of harms way. 

After a minute they both turned around facing each other. Ian was bare chested and Min was wearing a tight shirt. Several girls giggled, but Ian ignored them all, he was focused on his opponent. Min's eyes narrowed as if she was studying him, to find anything she can work with. Ian instead studied the surroundings. Without warning, Min pointed out her fore and middle fingers and at their tips, compressed air shot out heading straight for Ian. Without hesitation, he cartwheeled away allowing the powerful blast to hit the brick wall behind him. Azula gasped at the gaping hole it made in the wall. Ian sent Min an air foot kick but she simply did an illusion and blocked his move. She didn't stop there, immediately she did another illusion sending a small comet of air at Ian. He jumped upwards avoiding the blast and sent her a round house kick. Min flipped backwards narrowly averting his blow. Ian smirked and sent a huge blast at her, she was about to dodge it, but it hit her full force sending Min crashing into a wall. Ian crouched, preparing for whatever Min might have under her sleeve. Suddenly, three huge missiles roared towards him. Azula let out a gasp, In Fire Bending, this move was lethal. Ian was undeterred by the prodigious move, he ran straight towards the missiles at immense speed. 

"Has he lost his mind!" shouted the alarmed Fire Bender.

But it became clear that Ian has not lost his mind, he did a Rubi right through the tiny opening as the missiles came to meet him causing them to explode. Ian wasn't done yet. He recycled the move, and blasted at his sister. Min was clearly caught by surprise, and she payed the consequences. Ian blasted her into the adjacent wall. She crashed and fell onto the floor. 

"Give up!" called Ian.

"NO!" Min shouted, her hair all messed up, she didn't try to hide her frustration

and hurt pride. 

Ian crouched again and sent another blast of air, Min shifted aside and began to propel herself at Ian, she held out her fist and a huge wave of air came surging out. Ian bounced over the assault and sent another round house kick. Azula smiled, Ian was going to win. Min hissed and charged at him, claw like daggers popping out of her wrists. Ian didn't elude, she has declared a hand to hand battle. Ian held out his fists. Min shot her fist forward, he evaded and tried to chi block her but she sat in a split and swiped at his feet, Ian didn't leap away on time.

Azula chocked slightly. Min gave Ian two huge gashes on his calfs. His slight hesitation gave Min the opportunity she was hoping for, she shot him backwards into a wall. Everyone inhaled sharply. Ian popped right back out, his legs were covered in blood but he looked more determined than ever. Min growled in irritation, he was not going to give up. Ian rolled forward and his entire body was surrounded by air, he send the charged the stroke towards her, Min propelled upwards, spinning in a clockwise motion, she sent a charged blast at Ian, he created an air wheel that blocked the gust. 

"HOW DARE YOU USE MY OWN CREATION AGAINST ME!" Min hollered.

Min again began to propel herself towards her brother, he leapt into the air as Min released her intense bending. Ian air bent from his feet sending Min into a nearby wall. Dust filled the entire arena. Several people cheered,

"Pay up Suki!" Sokka winked.

Suki rolled her eyes and was about to give her stupid husband his bet when suddenly, Min came blasting out of the dust on an Air Spout. Ian was taken aback, he though he hit her hard enough so she wouldn't attack again. But Min always had a trick up her sleeve. Azula clutched her chair, her mind quickly processed what just happened and she came to a conclusion, Min's strategy was to catch her opponent by surprise and use that slight hesitation to strike. Ian turned to create a shield but alas it was too late, Min flipped the spout around into a extremely charged clockwise illusion and sent Ian flying into a wall. Azula leapt out of her seat as she heard a loud crunch. The entire stadium was , Ian came lumbering out of the cloud of earth, attempting to relocate his shoulder joint, everyone clapped. Min patiently waited for Ian to move his joint back and smirked.

"Why Ian, I thought you knew me better then that, it is not like you want to embarrass yourself in front of your Girlfriend." Min taunted.

"Uh Oh." Everyone echoed.

Ian's silver eyes narrowed dangerously, without warning, he kicked in an upward motion sending air that jerked Min's chin upwards. She flipped over and sent a hidden knife at Ian giving him a good sized gash that ran at his injured shoulder. Ian flinched but didn't stop, he caught Min in a cocoon of air, she began to resist, making it very difficult to retain her. Azula realized for the first time that she has broken the handles of her seat, and everyone was sending her suspicious glances, having enough of her new strange behavior, she got up barely concealing her desire to run vaguely walked off. 

"Something must be wrong with me." she muttered.

Out of the corner of Ian's eye, he noticed Azula leave. He felt extremely disappointed. Min caught Ian's slip in concentration and gave one last push releasing her. Ian turned to see Min escape his trap and send a blast of air at him, the blast knocked him off his feet but his sister didn't stop there. She sent blast after blast not giving Ian a chance to get up. His lack of sleep caught up with him and Min sapped all of his energy when she slammed him into the wall. She trapped him in her own cocoon and Ian lowered his head in defeat. 

Suki elbowed Sokka, he angrily shoved Suki her silver pieces.

"She is an underdog." Aang remarked. 

All the Air Nomads in the stadium were too shocked to cheer, especially Monk Hive, never has Ian got distracted, never! He realized that as soon as the Fire Prodigy left the stadium, Ian went downhill and fast. The old Monk quietly smiled into his sleeve.