Focus. Breath. Concentrate.
I slid my feet, moving my body in a fluid motion. I sent my hand up, flat palm out, bending the air around me. It came as a stream, and pushed the Gates. I stepped in, my feet, my whole being, moving like a butterfly.
“Zabri!”
The voice called out to me, and that was all it took. I missed a step, and got a swift hit in the back, which sent me forward. The hit to the stomach made me want to cramp over, but before I could, I got another whack. As I stumbled out of the entrance of the Gates, I got a one last hit on my butt, and it sent me to the ground. My face landed on the cool ground, and I closed my eyes with a moan.
“Zabri!”
I slowly opened my eyes, as my body throbbed. Those Gates were meaner than they looked. I glanced up, my eyes finding the owner of the voice’s face.
“Yes, Meelo?”
“Zabri, my daddy says it’s time to go.”
I sighed, rolling my eyes. I didn’t understand how many times I needed to explain this to him. I pushed myself up, setting myself to my knees so that our eyes met. Sort of.
“Meelo, we’ve been over this, remember? You, your sisters, Pema, and Master Tenzin are going to the Southern Water Tribe. I’m staying here.”
His face fell, and he mumbled something as he looked down to the ground. Great, now I made a little five year old sad.
“But, look on the bright side, you’ll be back in a few days. When you get back I promise you and I will hang out okay? Maybe practice some air bending?”
His face lit up at my comment, and he begun to bounce.
“Okay! But you know I’ll beat you.”
My eyebrows rose, and a smile crept onto my face.
“Oh is that so? Well, you won’t win in a tickle match!”
I lunched at him, grabbing him before he could jump away. I pulled him to my lap, and begun to tickle him everywhere. His scream filled laugh filled the air, and I made little comments to him. It was the sound of someone clearing their voice that made me freeze in place. I quickly stood, sending Meelo to the ground. He wasn’t hurt, but a bit shocked. I turned quickly, my mouth hanging open. I was met with my Master. I bowed, quickly, greeting him.
“Master Tenzin.”
“Daddy!”
“Hello, Zabri.”
“How may I help you?”
“I came to retrieve my son, who came to give a good by hug.”
My face went a little flush, and I casted my eyes down. Meelo rushed over to his father, and air bended his way onto his head.
“I’m sorry to delay you, Master Tenzin.”
He let out a sigh, and ran his hand over his face. Meelo was now crawling on him like lemur. I did my best to hide back a laugh. Meelo could make even the hardest of hearts soften to water.
“It’s not your fault. Please, just remember we will return in a few days. Keep the island-“
“Clean. Do not break anything, and no parties. I know Tenzin. Don’t worry. I’ll spend most of my time with Maia, and reading.”
He nodded, and Meelo was now making his way back up to Tenzin’s head.”
“Very good, would you care to see us off?”
YOU ARE READING
The Only Hope
Teen FictionThe world has changed, and continues to do so. Yet the stories of my family, of how they nearly both destroyed and saved the world, continue to live on. Their actions created the future which is my present. Though, it's not a very bright one at the...
