*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ MIRACULUM ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ THE AVATAR STATE ❫ ❞

⋆ 🌪. CHAPTER EIGHT ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ 112 a.a ─── book two: earth

MORNING HAD FALLEN ON THE EARTH KINGDOM BASE, AND EVERYONE WAS SLIGHTLY ON EDGE AFTER AANG DIVULDGED HIS PLANS TO MASTER THE AVATER STATE WITH the help of General Fung. Katara in particular was very disgruntled about his decision to forgo their earlier plans. A small part of Uki had agreed with Katara, but at this point they didn't have many options with Sozin's comet approaching.  And as she told the boy earlier, she would stand behind him no matter his choice.

The morning sun was surprising warm on her skin, the glow a welcoming feeling as they climbed a set of rustic stairs to the top of a small mountain. Vines and other plant life was creeping through crevices, and if she didn't know what was waiting at the top, Uki would have immensely enjoyed the sight of her surroundings. Momo, who had been perched on her shoulder was chittering almost excitedly, clearly without much worries unlike the rest of the group.

General Fung had send a message earlier that morning for Aang and them ( ━ even if they weren't mentioned in the invitation. ) The sun peeked over the mountain range when they reached the top, where General Fung and another Earth Kingdom man were seated inside a bamboo patio. There was even more greenery around them, and paired with the stunning view, Uki was left breathless for a moment.

With a sense of acknowledgment tinged with a hint of reluctance, Aang executed a graceful bow in the direction of the two Earth Kingdom men, before sitting down on the ground across from the other men. Uki, Katara and Sokka followed his lead, but went to sit behind the Avatar.

The tea maker was smiling brightly, certainly enjoying this moment as he prepared the tea, "This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant." He dropped something in the teapot as they all listened carefully.

Uki's brow was furrowed in confusion. Not sure how tea was supposed to help him. Chi was a universal energy, like a vital life force. It was achieved through meditation and control. Creating awareness in ones body and letting the energy flow freely through the medians connecting the chakras points...not through tea.

"In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy ten-fold. In you, it may induce the Avatar State." The teamaker continued.

"tenfold energy, huh?" Aang hummed curiously, eying the tea before reaching out for the cup.

All eyes remained fixated on Aang, suspended in a collective anticipation, as the young Airbender raised the steaming cup to his lips. The initial moments were marked by a subtle quiver in his eyebrows, gradually transforming into a series of delicate twitches. Suddenly, with an eruption of energy, Aang propelled himself upwards, crafting a dynamic sphere of air that propelled him around the patio in a swift dance of agility.

Aang, caught in the throes of his newfound energy, questioned the group with fervour, his voice echoing as he whirled in chaotic circles. "Is it working? I can't tell!" Uki, bewildered by the spectacle, leaned toward Katara, whispering, "I don't think this tea aids in inducing Chi-energy."

"Somebody tell me if I'm in the Avatar State cause I don't have a good view of myself! Am I talking too loud?"

Sokka, ever the quick-witted one, interjected with a humorous suggestion, "I guess he could talk the Fire Lord to death."

However, the joyous scene took an unexpected turn when a loud grunt, accompanied by a subtle tremor of the patio, captured everyone's attention. All gazes converged on Aang, who had collided with one of the bamboo banisters in a spectacular crash. Uki, sensing the need for a change in approach proposed; "Maybe we should try something else?"

The agreement was met with a collective nod from the group, prompting everyone to rise from their seats. Uki swiftly navigated her way to Aang, seizing the back of his vibrant yellow collar to hoist him back onto his feet with a teasing remark, "Time to go, buddy."

Aang, still nursing the ache on his forehead, emitted a grunt of discomfort. "Ouch."

Chuckles ensued as the entourage descended the stairs, retracing their steps to the courtyard within the confines of the Earth Kingdom Base.

Sokka, ever the provider of unconventional solutions, mused aloud, "Maybe I can shock you into the Avatar State?"

Katara, with a hint of reluctance, leaned forward to cover Aang's eyes with her hands.

After a brief moment, Sokka deftly plucked Momo from Uki's shoulder, the lemur letting out a surprised screech.

Intrigued, Uki observed as Sokka dipped his head inside his blue shirt, placing Momo on top. As Katara revealed Aang's eyes, Sokka, with Momo's head protruding, emitted a loud screech.

In alarm, Aang stumbled backward, inspecting his arms, where the airbending tattoos still bore their light blue colour. Uki sighed, inadvertently flinching as Sokka, losing his balance, toppled over.

"This isn't working," Uki declared, hauling Aang and Katara closer to her. She shot a sarcastic glance at General Fung, who shook his head in apparent disappointment. "Any other brilliant ideas, Mr. Spiritual?" she quipped.

Fung merely huffed and motioned for the kids to follow as they headed back inside. Momo, abandoning a writhing Sokka, returned to perch on Uki's shoulder. They made their way through a couple sets of corridors, moving deeper inside the stronghold.

General Fung swung open the towering door, adorned with intricate golden swirls, unveiling a vast ceremonial room steeped in a dimly lit ambiance. Positioned prominently on a raised dais, a peculiarly dressed man extended his greetings.

"Uh..."

Caught off guard, Uki found herself at a loss for words as the enigmatic man directed Aang to don the garments carefully arranged behind a small barrier. Meanwhile, she, Katara, and Sokka assumed positions on the sidelines alongside General Fung. The minutes crawled by as they awaited Aang's reappearance.

Another moment passed before the Air Nomad appeared again dressed in... ceremonial garbs? Uki didn't even know what it was supposed to look like and Uki struggled to discern its significance, a sentiment clearly mirrored by the bemused expression on Aang's face.

The man on the dais gestured for Aang to approach, his voice resonating with a mysterious cadence. "You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations," he declared. "Now I will join the four elements as one!"

"Water!" he bellowed, cascading a jug of water into a metal bowl. "Earth!" Dirt soared into a larger bowl before he swiftly grabbed a torch from the wall. "Fire." The man seized a peculiar contraption, ushering wind into the bowl, scattering almost all the earth he had previously added. "Air! Four elements all together!"

Uki gasped as the man grabbed the bowl and flung its contents directly at Aang, showering the air nomad in mud and ash. Aang, clearly unimpressed, groaned incredulously, "This is just mud!"

"So..." The man began, "do you feel anything?"

To the group's complete surprise, Aang began to twitch, holding up a finger. An air of anticipation enveloped the room, only to be shattered by Aang's sudden sneeze, causing the mud to scatter and splatter everyone in the vicinity.

Groaning, Uki wiped the peculiar-smelling mud from her eyes, muttering, "Great..."

*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦
𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝

─ euripides

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, FOR SOME REASON UKI FELT INCREDIBLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE DAY. AFTER KATARA HAD ANNOUNCED SHE COULDN'T BARE WATCHING AANG TRYING TO INVOKE the Avatar State, the group had been divided again. While Uki harboured a fervent desire to provide unwavering support for Aang, the lingering conversation with Katara in their shared room the previous night had left her in a state of inner conflict.

"When we went to the Southern Air Temple," Katara had begun her explanation after Uki found the girl sulking inside their bedroom, "We found Monk Gyatso's skeleton. He was Aang's mentor and friend. After finding out what the Fire Nation did to him, Aang was utterly devastated. I can't even imagine how awful that must have been to find after a hundred years have passed like it's only been a day."

Uki's thoughts immediately drifted to Yue and she glanced out the window at the moon shining brightly through the clouds.

"I know the Avatar State is extremely powerful, and I know it is very helpful against the Fire Lord, but Uki, seeing him like that. It was like he was a completely different person. It was scary to see him like that."

Uki tried to console the girl, but was unsure on how to do so and instead choice her words very carefully. "Sometimes we first have to make a mistake before we can get it right." She paused. "Aang will do what is right. He's a smart kid you know."

"Yeah..."

Uki blinked, banning the memory of last night from thoughts and instead focused on the day ahead. She was a little behind schedule and raced down the corridor to catch up with Aang and Sokka. "Hey guys! Wait up!"

The two boys glanced over their shoulders, responding with warm smiles that Uki readily returned. As she fell in step beside Sokka, she couldn't help but wonder about General Fung's plans for the day. "So, any clue on what Fung is up to today?"

Sokka scratched his head.

"It doesn't matter," Aang shrugged surprising the others. "I've decided to put a stop to this. It isn't working, and it isn't worth it. I'd rather go back to our first plan."

A broad smile spread across Uki's features as she nodded eagerly. "I'm glad you decided upon that."

They proceeded in silence, their footsteps echoing through the corridor until they arrived at the expansive meeting room where they had initially discussed General Fung's plan. Fung welcomed them with eagerness, prepared to delve into the details of the events he had arranged for the day. However, the room fell silent when Aang awkwardly cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"You see... I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose. So I guess that's that," Aang confessed, nonchalantly shrugging.

Fung, still hopeful, leaned forward in his seat and asked, "Sure I can't change your mind?"

Aang nodded decisively. "I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger."

A tense atmosphere settled over the room. Acknowledging Aang's response, General Fung sighed, "I see. I was afraid you'd say that."

Uki, sensing the tension, cautiously let her hand hover over her sealskin pouch where she stored her water.

With a strong and purposeful twist of his feet, General Fung launched his stone desk at Aang, sending the airbender through a bannister and out of the large tower. Uki gasped, and immediately let the water from her pouch free.

"Men!" Fung commanded loudly. "Attack the Avatar!" The room erupted into chaos as the soldiers mobilized.

Bounding into action, Uki displayed remarkable agility, swiftly outmanoeuvring multiple soldiers by cunningly freezing their feet to the ground before launching herself at General Fung.

Executing a perfectly timed kick, Uki spun in a circular motion, water streaming from the curve of her boot. Fung, momentarily caught off guard, stumbled forward but skilfully regained his footing by erecting a massive pillar of stone.

Jumping through the gaping hole in the wall he created by blasting Aang from the tower, Fung rode a wave of earth down toward the courtyard.

Glaring, Uki jumped down after him, fist encased in ice.

From the edge of the gaping hole in the wall, Sokka cheered, "Whoo! Go get him, Uki!"

The unexpected battle unfolded, with Aang finding himself surrounded by other earthbenders in the courtyard. Uki, undeterred by the chaos, immersed herself in following after General Fung.

Uki sunk beneath a slab of stone that flew over her head, only to be propelled into the air by a wave of rocks. The girl reeled back, scrambling in the air to regain some semblance of balance. Nevertheless she crashed on the hard ground, dust rising around her. The impact sent a burst of blinding sharpness through her back.

With a determined hiss, Uki pushed herself upright, calming her senses and centering her Chi. Adopting a traditional waterbending stance, she squared off against General Fung. He launched a relentless assault of rocks in quick succession, but Uki moved skilfully around them and as she twisted around, she created a stream of water that caught one of the larger boulders. Thrusting her arms forward she slung it back at the man who stumbled sideways in surprise.

Seizing the opportunity presented by Fung's momentary imbalance, Uki unleashed a powerful water whip, sending him hurtling against one of the outer walls.

Turning on her heel, Uki watched in concern as Aang battled the other earthbenders, it almost looked like he was dancing on the wind as he evaded their abrasive attacks.

"I don't want to fight you!" Aang shouted desperately as he utilized his air scooter to swiftly traverse the wall. However, the ostrich horses and their determined owners effortlessly ascended the wall in pursuit. Holding their Pu Dao weapons menacingly.

Conjuring a large stream of water, she rose it high in the air, before launching the large flood towards a group of earthbenders reading to crush Aang.

They shouted in fear.

Uki broke in a run when she noted Fung approach Aang manically. "You can't run forever!"

"You can't fight forever!" Aang countered but Fung jumped high in the air, and kicked his leg downward and the rock that captured Aang exploded.

Uki's feet struck the ground as she picked up her pace, and she jumped, knees drawn and arms flinging outward when she used the water to move the pieces of earth away from her before thrusting both hands forward, icicles formed at her move and hit the General.

His armour protected him well as he only recoiled backwards from impact. Determination flashed in her eyes as she let more water engulf the General. It soared through the air swiftly but the earthbender braced himself steadily on the ground and with one purposeful flick of his wrist raised an earth wall to block her attack.

Uki wheezed tiredly, trying to centre herself but Fung already moved again, and pushed his towering wall forward. It move at a fast pace and Uki could not move away quickly enough. She was thrown of her feet, flying through the air before crashing against a wall in between two stone stairs. She grunted as pain surged through her body like lightning. 

A crack had formed on the wall as she slumped down against it. "Ouch..."

"What is happening?" Katara suddenly came running down the stairs just as Sokka did also from the opposite side.

"The general's gone crazy!" Sokka stated, "he is trying to force Aang into the Avatar State!"

"I think he has always been crazy." Uki added disgruntled as she pushed herself back up, rolling back her shoulders and taking a deep breath. "Let's get moving."

Everyone sprinted into action and Sokka immediately tossed his boomerang, and successfully hit one of Fung's soldiers while Katara used a powerful water whip to slice the Pu Doa another soldier was carrying in two.

Uki barely managed to step sideways as a large circular piece of earth, resembling the Earth Kingdom emblem rolled passed her. Sweat coated her skin, and pieces of hair were slipping from her ponytail.

Uki concentrated on the flow of her breath as her energy flowed freely through her body. She held up her hands, water swirling around her before she stepped forward to strike. She sliced her arm sideways and the water followed the precise move.

The earthbender was thrown through the air from impact, landing a far distance away in a heap of broken rocks.

She sent a few more blasts of water, trying to get closer to Katara who was slowly becoming outnumbered and exhausted as she breathed heavily, her normal confident stance slightly faltering,

"Maybe you can avoid me, but she can't!"

Uki's wide eyed turned to look at General Fung who smiled victoriously, already twisting his feet deeper in the ground.

Uki pushed herself forward, feet hitting the ground in hard movements. She reached out for Katara who also seemed to notice the General had switched his focus on her. But before the older waterbending could reach her, Fung moved his palms in a downward motion and to Uki's absolute horror, the ground beneath Katara's feet swallowed her whole.

"Katara!" Uki shrieked, recoiling backwards in surprise as tears gathered in her eyes.

"Katara, no!" Aang exclaimed in distress as he dropped down to his knees beside Uki, his body shaking with concern. The ground beneath them began to tremble, and the wind intensified. Uki, still on the ground, looked up to witness Aang's eyes and tattoos glowing with a celestial light.

A gasp escaped her lips as she pushed herself backward, alarmed by the fierce glare on the boy's face. "Aang?"

"It worked!" General Fung laughed with unbridled joy. "It worked!"

However, his joy was short-lived when he realized Aang's intense glare was aimed squarely at him. In a swift motion of his arm, Aang summoned a powerful gust of air that sent the General hurtling backward. Aang then ascended in a tornado of wind, its force pushing Uki back several feet.

She grunted, looking up through her lashes at the alarming spectacle unfolding. "Avatar Aang, can you hear me?" Fung desperately called out. "Your friend is safe!" He gestured with his hands in an upward motion. "It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State."

Katara emerged from the earth beside Fung, bent over and breathing heavily. "Katara!" Uki exclaimed, scrambling to her feet and rushing towards the younger girl.

Uki pulled her in a tight embrace and she could feel Katara shaking in her arms.

Suddenly, the glow of his tattoo's started to fade and Aang came crashing forcefully into the earth and triggering an avalanche of rocks. The destructive cascade wreaked havoc, obliterating almost everything in its path and sending clouds of dust billowing high into the sky.

A collective gaze remained fixed on the aftermath as Aang collapsed on the ground, utterly drained. His bewildered eyes surveyed the destruction he had inadvertently caused and Uki felt her heart break for the boy.

Slowly everyone walked towards Aang and Katara swiftly moved to his side, offering support to help him stay upright. "I'm sorry," Aang mumbled, his remorse palpable.

As they processed the situation, General Fung approached with a peculiar enthusiasm. Uki, sensing potential danger, rose to her feet, water ready to defend the group. "Ha! You're joking? That was almost perfect! We just have to find a way to control you when you're like that!" Fung exclaimed, disregarding the kids' flabbergasted expressions.

"You're out of your mind." Aang wheezed out.

Ignoring objections, Fung casually declared, "I guess we'll figure it out on the way to the Fire Nation."

Before anyone could protest, Sokka, appearing on an Ostrich Horse, swiftly knocked out the earthbender with his boomerang. "Anyone got a problem with that?" he asked calmly.

The other Earthbenders shook their heads, stepping back. Uki, relieved, lowered her defensive stance and returned the water to her pouch. A soldier cautiously approached, "Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" he inquired nervously.

Katara crossed her arms while Momo flew into Uki's arms. "I think we're all set."

⋆⋅ ━━━━ ‧ ༻✩༺ ‧ ━━━━ ⋅⋆

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