Personal Powers: Civil War

Metal Bending

ETHAN'S POV

It was a new year.  A new year to start over and to avoid the same mistakes from the past. Something about this new year gave me hope. A type of hope that I was lacking. A type of hope no one had felt in a long time. 

I was positive that this was going to be our year. I had this warm feeling inside of me that somehow gave me the strength and patience to keep going. I guess that is what's driving me forward. Even if I continue to fail, that warm feeling inside gives me courage to keep moving forward. I was sure that everything was going to change this year and it was for the good.

****

Today was finally the day I was going to learn metalbending. It's a quite interesting sub-bending and it can be very useful at points. I was actually very excited to finally learn metalbending. I could not wait any longer.

As of now, we were stationed right outside of Detroit. Right after the United Forces incident, which was over two months ago, we were forced to constantly move from city to city. Keeping our identity on the low was very hard for all of us. Sometimes people would recognize us while we bought food or other supplies. It was a hard way of living but there was no other way. 

All everyone talked about was us and our "powers". They called us monsters and a threat to their security, but don't get me wrong, not everyone was this way. There were others who saw us as liberators who wanted to get rid of the unjust government. But enough talk about all of this, it was time for me to learn metalbending!

****

It was two in the afternoon and it was freezing cold. We were at an abandoned house right outside of Detroit. Emma and Nathaniel had just set a fire for us to stay warm. 

As the others sat around the fire, Nicolas and I were outside talking about my training.

"Okay Ethan, are you ready?" asked me Nicolas as he took a piece of metal from the backpack that was besides him.

"I'm super ready" I said as I smiled.

" Okay, right here I have a small round rock. From the surface it might seem like it's just a regular rock but this is a very special rock" he handed me the small rock.

"Why is it special?" I asked him.

"Well, someone special gave me this rock".

"Oh" I responded.

"Yea" he responded, "anyways, this is the rock I used to learn metalbending. I remember like it was yesterday. I was one of the few who could metalbend but, at the time, I was having trouble learning" he said as he leaned to a dead tree next to him, "I was ten and even at that young age, my teacher was very abusive towards me. I remember him yelling at me for not learning 'fast enough'".

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that" I said as I held the rock.

" No, its fine. A girl named Lisa saw how I was having a hard time. After class, she approached me and asked me if it is okay for her to help me.The way she talked brought me comfort. Her voice was very sweet and calming and her bright green eyes told the story of a determined girl. I accepted her help and over time, she would come over to my house and she would bring the rock you're holding with her.  To be honest, I think she was my first love. We would hang out all the time and she would teach me metalbending with that same rock" still leaning towards the tree, Nicolas started talking much more softly.

"A few years before you and Nick came into the facility, there was a huge movement against the chief. Of course my mom and dad were not involved, but Lisa's parents were. One night, she sneaked into my room through the window. She woke me up and told me to be silent. At the time, I was very confused but then she comforted me with her soft voice. 'Nicolas, I'm going to miss you so much. I want you to remember me with this' she handed me the rock you're holding. She then kissed me and went out from the same window she came from. I quickly leaned towards the window and saw her standing next to her parents. She waved at me as she walked away".