Avatar Dakota

Chapter 3

Two years had passed, and each day, Dakota grew stronger and more skilled. Her training with Kaiyo had ended a year ago, and now her training with Feng, a descendant from Avatar Aang, was almost complete.

"Focus, Dakota! Feel the power of the wind in your chest and let loose!" Feng called out. Dakota nodded to him as she jumped up. She brought her arms together in a large clapping motion as she landed on her feet. A huge billow of air flew into the sky, clearing some of the low hanging clouds away. She smiled proudly and put her hands on her hips.

"I'm getting pretty good, if I do say so myself." She congratulated herself. Feng walked up to her.

"That just about wraps up your training in Airbending! It has been an honor to train with you, Avatar Dakota." Feng bowed to her. Dakota smiled and bowed in return.

"No, thank you, Sifu Feng. I wouldn't be much of an Avatar without your teachings!"

"Oh! I have a present for you to commemorate the completion of your training!" Feng jumped. Dakota cocked her head to the side as he went to the courtyard. Dakota, in the meantime, made mini fire tornados, wondering if making a huge one would be a bad idea. Feng came back moments later, holding a staff in his hands. Dakota faced him again as he held it to her.

"My great-great-grandfather, Avatar Aang, had one of these. It's a glider, and Airbenders use them all the time to get around, or even just incorporate it into their bending. I thought that, since you're Avatar, having a staff like a previous incarnation might help you feel closer to them."

Dakota took the black-stained wood into her hands. She examined it closely before pressing a button. Wings popped out, a royal red color. Dakota looked at it with awe.

"Do you like it?" He asked. Dakota looked up at him before leaping forward and hugging him. Though taken by surprise, Feng put an arm around her and pat her head.

"I absolutely love it. Thank you so much, Sifu Feng." She smiled. Dakota never really received gifts, as surprising as that is. None of the royal children did. They already had everything they could ever need, why would they need more?

"Why don't you give it a spin?" Feng encouraged. Dakota's eyes lit up as she excitedly held the glider to her back.

"Now, hold on to those handlebars while you fly. After you take off, put your feet on the bar at the other end."

Dakota nodded and readied herself. She powered her jump with air, taking off in flight. She laughed and cheered as she darted around the courtyard.

"Go higher! It's more fun!" Feng called out. Dakota followed instructions and flew even higher. She floated around the castle, spotting her siblings walking in the garden. She zoomed by them, scaring all three.

"Dakota!! Never do that again!" Ashe called out. Anthony and Zoey looked less than amused as they glared at their sister, jealous that she got all the cool things and they didn't.

Dakota flew in a spiral up to the very top of the castle. She landed and held on to the large spike. She gazed out at the city, watching the screens on tall buildings flicker with different programs and ads. She giggled as she turned and looked at the suburbs, much more quiet than the city. She sat there for a while, becoming increasingly more sad. There's a whole world out there, and she's stuck here, in the same castle. Forever. She sighed, kicking her glider out again and flying back down to the courtyard. Her family was gathered there, alongside Feng.

"Welcome back Dakota. Did you enjoy your flight?" Kazuo asked. Dakota nodded quickly.

"I can't wait to learn Earthbending, then I can finally go out into the city! It looks so cool!" She jumped around. Kazuo frowned.