Wandering Firebender

Seventy Six: Tragedy & Heartbreak

"Where we headed, Elio?" Sri asked curiously as she followed him through the hallways of the Fire Nation palace.

"Oh, we're gonna do some training. I've heard through the grapevine that you've been working a lot with Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors." He brought up with an amused smile.

"Yeah! Oh man, it's been going so well! They're teaching me a lot."

"Good. I want you to show me." Elio said.

"Oh boy, that's a lot of pressure," Sri said with a chuckle. "Just go easy on me, I'm still learning. Oh! Ty Lee has started teaching me how to chi-block like you do!" She mentioned.

"Oh that's great. You know, she was actually the one who taught me how to do that." He informed her.

"Yeah? That makes sense, yeah. Cool!" She said with a laugh.

The two of them stepped out into the training area on the palace grounds. Elio pulled his staff out of its sleeve and set it down on the ground. Then he gestured for Sri to walk onto the middle of the floor with him. Sri took in a nervous breath, shaking her arms out.

"Relax, Sri. We're not gonna actually fight. Just something of a spar. Hand-to-hand only for now." He said to reassure her. However, Elio's comment piqued Sri's curiosity.

"For now? What do you mean for now?" She asked.

"Well, after these first few missions, I think it's pretty obvious that we really don't know what we might run into going forward. I want to start teaching you how to hold your own against benders. Chi-blocking is good, but we gotta teach you the instinct first. That make sense?" He explained his thinking.

"Yep. Might be a bit of a long shot though, but I'll do my best. Promise." Sri said with a nod and an unsure smile.

"Don't worry. You got this. Now fighting position. Show me what you got." Elio said, getting into a fighting stance.

"Oh, really? Just like that?"

"Yeah. Don't hold back. Just attack." Elio instructed. Sri let out an exhale and got into her fighting stance.

"Whatever you say, captain."

Sri brought her hands up and attacked first, throwing several punches high and low. Elio took a few steps back as he blocked them. He turned and jumped into the air, throwing a kick at Sri's head. She ducked under it and moved forward, pressing her hands into Elio's abdomen and pushing him back.

"Oop! Nice!" Elio commended her before the fight continued.

Elio advanced this time, attacking with several quick punches aimed at her head and chest. Sri reacted fast, deflecting two before moving to the side. She lifted her knee into Elio's stomach and grabbed his arm, dropping down and flipping him onto his back.

Sri twisted and got up to one knee, trying to lock Elio into an armbar. However, Elio rolled backwards and pulled Sri towards him, raising his fist as if to punch her. Sri put her feet on his shoulders and kicked him back. Elio stumbled back and got to his feet. Sri quickly did the same.

"Woo! Not bad, Sri! Your reaction time is really good!" Elio said approvingly.

"Thanks! I'm just tryna hold my...watch out!" Sri shouted, pointing behind him.

Elio started to turn around just in time to catch a fireball to the back of his left shoulder. He cried out in pain as he was knocked to the ground. Sri's eyes widened, seeing an older man in plain clothes stomping onto the training grounds.

"Elio! Time to answer for your crimes!" The man yelled, throwing another fireball at him while he was down.

"Elio!" Sri shouted, immediately moving towards him. Elio turned and brought his hand up, stopping the fireball. The wild flames shot behind him, nearly burning Sri's face. She shrieked in surprise.