Chương 23: Way of Airbenders
Outside the Northern Air Temple, Jinora is outside and looking over the mountain range and Kai approaches her.
"Hey," Kai said.
"Oh, hi, Kai." Jinora said.
"Hey, you wanna go down there and see one of those flying bisons?" Kai asked.
"I don't know. We might get in trouble." Jinora said.
"C'mon. Let's have some fun. We'll be back before anyone realizes we're gone." Kai said.
"I guess it can't hurt." Jinora said and Kai smiled.
Jinora and Kai open their gliders and fly down to the lake where the herd of bison are while a group of spirits see the two kids flying and some accompany them and a bird-like spirit flies in front of Jinora who gives a smile.
'At least her brother is not nearby,' Kai thought.
The two fly over a mountain ridge and they catch sight of bison below near a watering hole.
"Look! Baby bisons!" Kai said pointing at three bison calves as one grooms itself and the other two are horseplaying. "Why're they on the ground?" Kai asked.
"Air bison calves can't fly after a week or two after they're born. So, the entire herd will stay near the ground, near the valley." Jinora said.
"Let's go see the babies." Kai said as he lands and folds his glider and goes to pet a bison calf. "Aww, they're so cute." Kai said.
"Kai, get outta there!" Jinora calls as she sees an adult sky bison flying towards Kai who is paralyzed with fear as the angry adult bison charges at him but Jinora flies past and quickly grabs him from harm's way.
"Wow, you saved me down there. You're an incredible Airbender." Kai said.
"Well, I've been training for a long time," Jinora said.
"Then why don't you have tattoos like an Airbending master?" Kai asked.
"My dad says I'm not a master yet." Jinora said.
"You can do everything your can. Plus, you have all these spirit-y powers. If anyone's a master, you are." Kai said.
"Thanks, Kai." Jinora said, blushing.
"So, I gotta ask, is Kota really your brother?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, why?" Jinora looked at Kai with confusion.
"Because when I saw him bend, he was Earthbending. Though, he kinda looks like your Dad," Kai said.
"He and I don't share the same Mom," Jinora said, "Dad was with someone else when Koko was born, she was an Earthbender. Dad's ex-girlfriend is the daughter of Toph Beifong."
"Really?!" Kai was amazed.
Jinora nodded, "He's always really nice and calm. He is also there whenever Ikki, Meelo, and I needed to talk to him."
"He can also be scary…" Kai said offhandedly.
"Well, he IS a Beifong," Jinora said.
…
Meanwhile at the temple courtyard Bumi who is now just wearing his singlet is telling stories to other Airbenders.
"And so, we bring the net down on the head pirate and he looks around real sad and he says 'I knew I should have followed my dreams and become a dentist'." Bumi said making the other Airbenders laugh.
"How come you grew up to be so cool when Tenzin became a stick-in-the-mud?" The first Airbender asked.
"I guess cool is something you're born with." Bumi said.
Tenzin arrives at the courtyard.
"Bumi, can I talk to you?" Tenzin asked making the Airbenders walk away.
"Let me guess, you want to criticize me for something?" Bumi asked.
"Actually, I need your help." Tenzin said.
"Oh, yeah? With what?" Bumi asked digging his ear with his pinky.
"I don't think I'm doing well with the new Airbenders and everyone knows you're a natural leader." Tenzin said smiling awkwardly.
"True, I did win the Admiral Tung Natural Leadership Award, twice." Bumi said.
"What would you do if you were to charge? Help me be more like you." Tenzin said.
"I'd love to. You've got to use military discipline to whip these troops into shape. The only way to deal with new recruits is to break them down so you can build them back up. Rule with an iron fist, show them who is the master." Bumi said.
"Thanks for the insight." Tenzin said.
"My pleasure." Bumi said.
It's daybreak at the temple and Tenzin barges into the dorm and uses Airbending to blast a horn waking all the Airbenders.
"Dawn patrol! Everyone up!" Tenzin yelled.
"What're you doing? It's barely light out." Bumi said groggily.
"I'm taking your advice. I'm going to break you down and bring you back up! Now, get moving recruit!" Tenzin yelled making Bumi sigh.
On a mountainside Tenzin leaps up the mountain and Jinora follows and so does Kai but he stumbles and the remaining Airbenders who grunt prop themselves up the plateaued summit.
"Nothing like a ten-mile hike first thing in the morning." Tenzin said.
"Do these robes come in a warm bison fur version?" An Airbender asked.
"No, of course not!" Tenzin said making the Airbender scowl.
"If it weren't so cold, I'd go right back to sleep." Bumi said.
"Then, this is the perfect time to learn meditation and proper breathing technique. Airbenders are able to warm themselves only with their breathing." Tenzin said sitting down. "Everyone get into the lotus position." Tenzin said and everyone does so and they start meditating. "Ah, this is so much more refreshing than sleeping." Tenzin said.
"You know, when I said that thing about an iron fist…" Bumi was cut off.
"Hush! Meditation time! Focus!" Tenzin yelled making Bumi sigh and returns to meditation.
Later there are multiple wooden posts.
"Can we go back to bed now?" Bumi asked.
"Now that we're refreshed and loose from our hike and meditation, it's time for a balancing exercise. The key is to maintain your heaven and earth connection." Tenzin said leaping onto a pole and takes out a feather and levitates it with Airbending. "Now you try." Tenzin said and the Airbenders try to do what was instructed but they're struggling. "Back up your posts! It's not hard if you concentrate." Tenzin said and Bumi struggles and falls. "Get back up! What's the matter, soldier?" Tenzin asked sternly making Bumi glare as a feather falls on his face.
"Don't you think you're a little hard on them?" Jinora asked.
"Don't worry, they can take it." Tenzin said and he sees Otaku with lemurs. "Ignore the lemurs digging your ears and concentrate on your breathing and you won't know they're there!" Tenzin said but Otaku loses his balance and falls as the lemurs take his post.
It's now mid-morning and they're at another courtyard and Tenzin is shaving Daw's head and Daw is sad that his hair is gone.
"When the head is shaved, an Airbender is able to feel the wind around him. It is both humbling and freeing." Tenzin said.
"Hey, you wanna go sneak away and check on the baby bisons?" Kai asked Jinora who shushes him.
"You should be paying attention." Jinora said making Kai taken aback but he shrugs and walks off.
"Alright, who's next?" Tenzin asked.
"I'm not sure I want my head shaved." An Airbender said.
"That's fine. Shaving your head is a personal choice." Tenzin said shocking Daw.
"Wait, what?" Daw asked.
"Anyone else?" Tenzin asked but the other Airbenders shake their heads. "Fine! Then we can get to our next training exercise; obstacle course!" Tenzin said making everyone moan.
"You're pushing them too hard. Maybe we should give them a break." Jinora said.
"Jinora, I have this under control." Tenzin said making his daughter glare at him.
At the obstacle course which is filled with spinning bells a female Airbender weaves through the bells.
"Concentrate! Remember, Airbenders move like the wind." Tenzin said.
The female Airbender weaves through the bells and smiles but then a watermelon strikes her and sends her to the mud and it's Ikki and Meelo who are loading watermelons into a cannon and at the rope obstacle Otaku is hanging for dear life while the previous female Airbender crosses before being struck by another watermelon and Kai runs through the rope making Otaku lose his grip and Kai runs up the course and confronts the next obstacle which is a cactus-ridden balancing obstacle.
"Stay light on your feet, and you'll never feel the stinging rash cactus." Tenzin said.
Kai easily leaps through the balancing poles before crashing into an Airbender and causing both of them to fall into the cactus patch.
Later on a cliff Kai reaches the cliff with ease overtaking Bumi and Otaku.
"Everyone is waiting for you, Bumi. If you don't make it over the next thirty seconds, they'll ALL have to run through the course again!" Tenzin said.
"You can do it, Bumi!" An Airbender said.
"Come on!" Another Airbender said.
Bumi leaps to the next ledge but loses his grip and falls to the mud.
"Get back up on the wall, recruit! You're letting your fellow Airbenders down!" Tenzin yelled.
"I'm finished! I've never wanted to be an Airbender and I'm too old to be back at boot camp. Count me out!" Bumi said walking off.
"Fine, quit! We don't need your attitude in the new Air Nation!" Tenzin yelled.
"Master Tenzin, when do we get to go home and visit our families?" Daw asked.
"Go home? You just got here!" Tenzin said.
"When's dinner? I'm starving." A female Airbender said.
"Can I change out of my robe now? It's itchy." An Airbender said.
"This is just as bad as the Earth Queen's prison." Kai said.
"I'm tired of all this complaining! Jinora, take over!" Tenzin said.
"Does this mean I'm the master now?" Jinora asked.
"Yes, just lead them through some basic exercises." Tenzin said.
"Well, since I'm a master, when do you think I can get my tattoos?" Jinora asked.
"What brought this on?" Tenzin asked.
"I was just talking to Kai and he was asking me…" Jinora was cut off.
"Kai! What does HE know about when you should get tattoos?" Tenzin asked as Kai awkwardly slid behind other Airbenders. "The answer is 'no'! You're just a little girl!" Tenzin said.
"I'm NOT a little girl anymore! I can Airbend JUST as well as you! I know EVERYTHING about our culture and history and I have a stronger connection with the spirits that you ever will. And you know what, not only Kai thinks I should be a master, but Koko would think so too! He knows I'm just as gifted! Lead your own class!" Jinora yelled, storming off.
"Ikki, Meelo, you're up. Just lead them through the Bagua circle." Tenzin said leaving.
"Look to your left. Look to your right. One of those people will not make it out of here alive." Meelo said.
…
Meanwhile Jinora is at the temple's radio and uses the microphone.
"Hello?" A voice asked and it's Kota.
"Koko?" Jinora asked.
"Hey, Jinora. What's the matter?" Kota asked.
"Koko, do you think I could be an Airbending master?" Jinora asked.
"Of course I do. You're smart, you know about Air culture and history, and you have an excellent connection with the spirits. You'd fit well to be a master. What happened?" Kota was now concerned for his younger sister.
"Nothing. Just wanted your opinion." Jinora said as tears flowed from her face.
"Hey Kiddo, what happened? What's wrong? Did Dad say something that made you upset?" Kota asked.
"It's nothing. I'll see you soon, I miss you," Jinora said hanging up.
…
At Zaofu in the guesthouse Kota tries to call Jinora again.
"Jinora? Jinora?" Kota asked.
"Kota, what's wrong?" Asami asked, with Korra following her.
"Jinora called me and she sounded pretty sad." Kota said.
"Maybe something happened during training. I'm sure they'll be fine." Korra said.
…
"Hey, sorry what I've said got you into trouble with your dad." Kai said.
"It's not your fault. He just can't believe that I'm growing up now and I don't need him telling me what to do like one of his recruits." Jinora said.
"I know something that'll cheer you up." Kai said.
Jinora and Kai fly to the valley where they found the bison herd but they find it empty.
"Where did all the bison go?" Jinora asked.
"Where are the babies?" Kai asked.
Just then Jinora is caught by a fired net and Kai turns and Airbends someone away and tries to help Jinora but is blocked by an earth wall and someone fires a net at Kai and they're both caught.
Later the two are sent to a camp and are thrown to the ground in front of a rustler.
"What're these kids doing in my camp?" The rustler leader asked.
"We caught them sneaking around. Thought they might tell someone we're here." A rustler said.
"They're the new Airbenders. Must be living up in the temple. Hurry up and gather the rest of the gang and let's get outta here before someone comes looking for these kids. I'll 'em to Ba Sing Se, with the rest of the fresh meat." The rustler leader said making Jinora and Kai become fearful.
Meanwhile Tenzin is inside the temple meditating.
"Tattoos. How could she think? Breathe. Focus. Bumi ruins everything. Inhale. Focus." Tenzin said.
"Taking a little break?" Pema asked entering.
"I've failed. Bumi quit, the rest of the Airbenders want to go home. Can't they see that I'm trying to rebuild an entire culture?" Tenzin asked.
"You know, just because these people can Airbend, doesn't mean they're Air Nomads." Pema said.
"Tell me about it." Tenzin said.
"I remembered when I moved down my parents' house to become an Air Acolyte. That first night, I was so scared and lonely and the bed was so hard." Pema said.
"It's actually better for your back." Tenzin said but Pema scowls. "Sorry." Tenzin said.
"The point is; I really wanted to be there, but it still took time for me to adjust to feel like I was a part of it all. The people are probably feeling the same way. You have to be patient." Pema said.
"Now I know how Korra feels when I'm talking to her." Tenzin said and kisses Pema. "Thank you, Pema." Tenzin said.
Outside Tenzin finds Bumi talking to two Airbenders.
"Bumi, I want to apologize for losing my patience." Tenzin said.
"I'm not talking to you." Bumi said walking away.
"Hey, get back here!" Tenzin called but sighs. "Where's Jinora?" Tenzin asked.
"I saw her fly off on her glider with her boyfriend." An Airbender said.
"What?! Her boyfriend? Kai…" Tenzin said.
At the rustler's camp Jinora, Kai, and the bison calves are locked in cages.
"How can you steal these bison? They're endangered." Jinora said.
"Well, that's why they're worth so much. The Earth Queen and her fancy friends pay big money for bison steaks and other rare meats. I even heard she ate her dad's pet bear." The rustler leader said.
"You're disgusting!" Jinora said.
"Hey, do that spirit beaming thing you did to find me. Go to the temple for help." Kai said.
"I can't. I'm all cramped in here and I need quiet and time to focus. But, maybe I can send a message." Jinora said as she focused. "Spirits, I need your help." Jinora said and a spirit appeared. "Go find Bum-Ju and tell him we're in trouble." Jinora said.
The spirit flies out of the cage.
At the temple Bum-Ju chitters at Bumi.
"No, I don't think I should apologize. Tenzin just wants to boss everybody around. I'm too old for that." Bumi said but Bum-Ju chitters. "Well, let's face it. I'm just not cut out to be an Airbender!" Bumi said and Bum-Ju chitters again. "Well, that's your opinion." Bumi said.
Bum-Ju curls up and sleeps but then the spirit Jinora called appears and the two spirits converse and Bum-Ju jumps on Bumi.
"Wait, Jinora sent a spirit and she's in trouble?" Bumi asked and Bum-Ju and the spirit fly off.
Bumi finds the Airbenders being trained by Meelo.
"Jinora's in trouble. We have to go help her." Bumi said.
"How do you know?" An Airbender asked.
"Bum-Ju's friend told me." Bumi said.
"You're able to communicate with the spirits?" Otaku asked.
"More or less. I get the gist. Let's go." Bumi said.
"Shouldn't Master Tenzin be dealing with this? I don't want to get into trouble." Daw said.
"Master Tenzin isn't here. It's up to us. Ikki and Meelo, grab some bison. Airbenders, move out!" Bumi said as the Airbenders follow him.
The Airbenders follow the spirit on two flying bison and they land on a cliffside overlooking the camp and Bumi takes out a telescope and spies on the rustlers.
"Bison rustlers. They've got Kai and Jinora locked in crates. Looks like they're getting ready to leave, we'll have to move fast." Bumi said.
"I don't know if I'm ready to get in a fight with some bison rustlers. I can tell without that telescope that they're mean-looking." Daw said.
"Listen, this is what we've been training for." Bumi said.
"We haven't been training that long." Daw said.
"That's not important now. Remember how we persevered together on that obstacle course?" Bumi asked.
"You actually quit." Otaku pointed out.
"Well, I'm not quitting now. I know we've had a tough time, me more than anyone, but we're Airbenders and there aren't many of us so we've got to stick together. They've got two of our own in cages out there and we're not leaving until we bring them home." Bumi said.
"Leave no Airbender behind!" Meelo said.
The rustlers close and lock a cage with a bison calf and the calves whimper Kai takes two twigs and picks the lock.
"In, down, twist." Kai said and manages to unlock his cage and frees himself and a calf and is about to free Jinora next.
"Free the bison first." Jinora said.
Just then a bison rustler grabs Kai.
"Hey, what're you doing?" The bison rustler asked but Kai Airbends the rustler away alerting the other rustlers.
The rustlers run up but then other Airbenders charge into the camp and deliver air blasts at the rustlers who defend themselves with earth walls and Kai prepares to go for the rustler leader who knocks Kai away with Earthbending.
Daw is about to be captured by the next but he feels wind coming from the fired net allowing him to dodge it and counter attacks but the rustler leader splits the Airbenders with Earthbending but Meelo leaps up the earth wall and knocks the leader off while two Airbenders ride on Ikki's air scooter sneak up and ambush another rustler while Bumi lets out a war cry and Airbenders charge at the camp as Meelo defeat the last rustler.
The rustler leader runs for the truck and drives off.
"Kai!" Jinora cried.
Kai grabs his glider and flies after the truck.
Meanwhile Tenzin is riding on Oogi when three adult bison fly past them and he sees them going after a truck.
"What's going on down there?" Tenzin asked looking down.
"Kai! Help!" Jinora cried.
"Jinora! I'm coming!" Tenzin said flying after the truck.
Kai catches the truck and enters it while knocking off the rustler leader who regains himself and restrains Kai but then an adult bison goes for the truck.
"What the…?" The rustler leader stops talking.
Tenzin directs Oogi to knock against the truck and Kai leaps off the truck and onto Oogi as an adult bison stops in front of the truck and Airbends stunning the rustler leader and Kai gets off in anger.
"You got me. I give up." The rustler leader said but Kai delivers air strikes at the leader sending him against the truck.
"You think you can kidnap Jinora and all these baby bisons?!" Kai demands as he throws the rustler leader upward and then slams him against the truck once more and is about to attack again but Tenzin stops him.
"Kai, that's enough. An Airbender never attacks a defenseless opponent." Tenzin said.
"Kota would have done it." Kai said.
"My son is an Earthbender and you're not him," Tenzin said, "but that was good technique."
…
It's evening and the spirits roam around once more while Bumi locks the rustlers in their cages.
"Maybe you haven't heard, but there's new Airbenders on these parts. And you never mess with an Airbender's bison." Bumi said smugly.
"Without my shaved head, I'd never could have dodged that net. I really felt it coming at me. You guys should TOTALLY get shaved." Daw said to other Airbenders.
"I'm proud of you. Your connection with the spirits, natural leadership, you remind me of Dad." Tenzin said.
"I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble. I guess I was just scared of not being able to to measure up as an Airbender. You know, even though I'm Aang's son, I never really felt that I was a part of the Air Nation." Bumi said.
"You are now." Tenzin said.
Ikki and Meelo are playing bison calves while Jinora and Kai snuggle the mother bison who licks Jinora.
"They're so friendly now." Kai said.
"The bison are the original Airbenders. They recognize their own kind." Tenzin said.
"Thanks for helping me, Kai." Jinora said.
"Of course," Kai said.
"Dad, I'm sorry for running off." Jinora said.
"I'm just lucky no one got hurt." Tenzin said, hugging Jinora. "I also realize that I was too harsh on you." Tenzin said.
"Does that mean I can get my Airbender tattoos?" Jinora asked.
"I already had to accept your brother has grown, but after I had you I had done my best to made sure you were my little girl. I it's hard for me to believe that you're growing up enough to have your tattoos. I promise I'll think about it." Tenzin said.
"Sounds fair." Jinora said.
"Jinora, look! They're flying!" Kai said pointing at the bison calves awkwardly flying while kicking their feet aimlessly.
"I guess everyone is growing up." Tenzin said, he later dug into his robes and smiled. Tenzin smiled at a photo that showed a 9 year-old Koda who was hugging a baby Jinora. He can't beilieve that his little girl was starting to grow up, just like his eldest son.
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