Element Academy: The Light of the Avatar

Unexpected Twists...Crystal

Crystal clenches her fist. Why do they always have to fight? Why has she gotten her brother involved in yet another Avatar problem?!

"Crystal! Snap out of it! Focus!"

Demetri's voice cuts off the rising anger within in and forces her mind to focus on what's going again. The air feels colder. Had her thoughts almost pushed her into the Avatar state?

Crystal shakes her head and gives Demetri a thumbs up. "Right! Thanks!"

He nods before launching forward with a gust of air, reengaging with the other bender.

Crystal looks back towards her opponent. His smile...he has a plan, and Crystal really doesn't want to find out what it is. She flashes a quick glance at Jake still standing as far from the battle as he could before stomping forward.

The ground rumbles and jagged parts of the earth rush forward, leaving a trail of jutted rocks. The other bender smirks and rushes out of the way. He clenches his fists and moves them in a circle in front of his chest.

Crystal lets out a cry as the earth suddenly liquifies and she sinks down to her knees into the ground. The earth hardens once again and she's stuck, unable to move and full of panic. She doesn't know that move! How does she counteract something she doesn't even know how to do in the first place?!

"Crystal!"

The many voices of her friends ring out into the air, but all Crystal can pay attention to is the refrigerator sized chunk of the earth the other bender rips up from the ground with his bending.

She watches in complete terror as he steps back with one foot, bringing both hands together and back. He motions his hands so their wrists touch, palms forward and stance firm. He draws his hands back just a little more before bam! He shoves them forward, open palms meeting rock side, and woosh! The mass of rock comes flying her way.

Crystal tries to brace herself, trying to imitate the stance he had just made. Even if she can't get the full stance right she has to try something. They're trying to kill her! No, forget trying; they are going to kill her!

Suddenly, a blur of green comes from her peripheral vision and the rock is sent hurling in another direction across the arena.

The ground around her softens again and she's being pulled up out of the earth by two strong arms.

"I thought I told you to be careful?"

Crystal turns once she's set on solid ground again, coming face to face with Stephan's very worried expression. She feels as if she could cry, she's so relieved. "No, you told me to stay alive and not go into the Avatar State. I sort of did my part, so please tell me you're about to fulfill yours."

"Yes." He looks back over his shoulder as several teens and young adults dressed in Element Academy Uniforms fill the arena and the stands. There are definitely more Bending Underground people, but the ambush takes the whole crowd by surprise.

The speakers cackle back to life and voice pours out into the air. "We are taking back the Avatar. Any attempts to stop us or bring harm to the Avatar or her friends will be met with force."

"Dad?" Page asks aloud. Crystal eyes her friend curiously, but decides to save her questions for later.

Page's dad continues. "We do not wish to fight. Let us leave peacefully; there is no need for violence today."

"I have to disagree." The gate to the other entrance lifts open and Jane enters the arena with a wireless microphone in hand.

"For too long as the Underground sat in the shadow of the prestigious Academy. Let us find out once and for all who is better." Jane smirks over at Crystal as the crowd roars to life in agreement.

"Get Crystal out now!" Stephan orders.

"On it!" Page grabs Crystal by the arm and pulls her down the darkened hallway leading out of the arena. The ground quakes and the sound of fighting erupts into the air.

"What about everyone else?!" Crystal asks in a rising state of panic.

"Right behind you!" Jake shouts behind them.

"What the heck is wrong with that chick?!" Mahoney exclaims. "It's like she won't stop till she starts a war!"

They make it to another hallway and Crystal squints under another drastic change of lighting.

"There she is! Get her!" Four Underground Benders come rushing at them.

Just as they surge forward a gust of air comes bursts out beside Crystal and sends them flying back into the far end of the hallway.

Crystal and the group turn behind them in surprise to locate the source of the rescue. They all gasp when the familiar girl greets their vision; standing their in all her glory with her long jet black hair and designer shades still on is the one and only-

"Talula!" Page exclaims.  "I can't believe you're here!"

"Me either," Crystal agrees, in shock to see the West Coast girl so far across the country.

The girl flashes a smirk and sets her shades up on the top of her head. "What? You didn't think I'd let you guys have all the glory in protecting Crystal, did you?"