Battle at the Northern Air Temple Part 2

Huzo's POV:

Getting inside the temple wasn't difficult at all, even with the help of a shirshu that could knock anyone out with its venom in a single second.

June's pet, named Nyla, did a great job of taking out all the people who were helping with the supply runs, so that the people using the gliders would have no bombs to use to their advantage.

- Your pet is impressive, are you sure you don't want to join the Fire Nation? - I asked because June is not only a good fighter, but could also help domesticate more animals like Nyla.

- I like being flattered, but I'm only helping because of the treaty, don't get me wrong. - June smiled and stroked her pet as if it were a harmless animal. - So, is it normal to carry a person like that on your shoulders? - She signaled to the physically handicapped boy that Huzo was carrying on his shoulders as if it were a normal thing, without showing any discomfort.

I turned to see the boy struggling and muttering some sort of curse to offend or distract me. I couldn't deny that I felt sorry for him, being so young and unable to walk on his own wasn't something anyone could do, but that was no excuse on a battlefield, so he would be treated like everyone else.

- Boy, stop struggling, if you go on like this I'll end up dropping you on the ground by mistake. - I warned the boy, although my grip was strong so he wouldn't fall and hurt himself, I didn't want him to struggle all the way.

The boy continued to mumble in a clear, threatening tone, and if it weren't for the gag in his mouth, it was possible that several offensive dialects could be heard.

June and I and some of my soldiers approached a metal-reinforced door with several Air Nomad symbols on it. The boy holding my shoulders became increasingly agitated, as if trying to alert the people on the other side of the metal door.

- It seems we have found our destination. - I watched the door, it didn't look like it would be difficult to break down. - Break down this door! - I ordered my soldiers.

My assembled soldiers began to concentrate their flames in their hands for a few seconds, and at the same time, in perfect synchronicity, they threw their flames at the armoured door, causing no visible damage.

- I must admit that the architect of this door has done a good job. - June admitted.

- At this rate we won't get anywhere! - I handed the boy over to one of the soldiers, who was obviously having trouble keeping him calm, but I decided to ignore him and concentrate on my energy.

- What are you going to do? It must be impossible to get through that door. - June crossed her arms, disbelieving in Huzo's abilities.

- Don't worry, just watch. - I concentrated a huge amount of energy in my right fingers and created lightning.

Everyone was surprised by Huzo's control of such an advanced technique, even Teo stopped fighting to admire the display of power. June unconsciously took a few steps back, feeling an unknown pressure emanating from Huzo, making her understand that he was more powerful than her friend Jefh.

- Amazing... - June whispered.

- Move away! - I ordered, firing my lightning at the door.

As my lightning struck the door, it began to spread, creating a dangerous electric field. Several small bolts of lightning scattered across the floor or wall, while the main bolt slowly began to melt the door.

As Huzo focused on destroying the armoured door, Sokka and the Mechanist noticed the metal of the door turning red, indicating that the metal was reaching its melting point.

- The door is melting? - Sokka asked, genuinely impressed.

- That shouldn't be possible, the door's armour won't melt even at 3000 degrees Celsius. - The Mechanist started to sweat.

- This is a sign that we have to make this balloon fly! - Sokka ran to the balloon and finished tying up the bags of explosive gel that would be used as bombs. - Let's go quickly!

- I'm going now! - The mechanist hurried and jumped into the balloon with difficulty and an obvious lack of athleticism.

Huzo's eyes glowed yellow, his face showing his continued effort and the strain on his body. He held his forearm with his left hand to channel even more concentration and energy release, causing the lightning to pierce through the other side of the door like a laser.

- Oops... - I said in surprise as I saw the metal melt like ice. - I exaggerated.

- Doesn't your hand hurt? You have literally melted a metal door. - June was incredulous at the ease with which Huzo had done this.

- I think I used up half my energy, but it doesn't matter. - I entered the workshop and noticed that the place had a basement. - The mechanist used every inch of this temple.

As I descended the stairs, I could see the place expanding to reveal a warehouse lit by natural light, but what alarmed me was seeing a flying object bearing the symbol of the Fire Nation making its way to a large open gate leading to the battle.

- That thing flies! - June watched in amazement as the vehicle defied the laws of physics.

- We were too late. - said a soldier disappointedly.

- We're not late. - I said, clenching my fists and running at full speed towards the flying vehicle. - June, I need a lift!

June nodded and began to whistle for Nyla to run towards her, in synchrony and riding skill, June grabbed Nyla's saddle and mounted her pet. With the steady acceleration of the shirshu, June held out her arm for Huzo to grab and pull him onto Nyla.

Both rode at great speed in pursuit, Huzo extending his arm and his two fingers, index and middle. A celestial light covered his fingertips and a beam crossed the air, colliding with the balloon and causing it to lose its attitude.

The prototype war balloon began to catch fire, and it wasn't long before the only two passengers jumped from a considerable height to escape the explosion. As Sokka and the Mechanist jumped, the balloon exploded 4 seconds later in a large ball of fire in the sky, as if a sun were in that exact spot.

Sokka and the Mechanist were about to fall from a deadly height until a large flying bison saved them at the last moment, using its large, furry body to miraculously soften the impact.

- Thank you, Appa! - Sokka stroked the bison's hide, feeling grateful to the animal once again. With a simple movement of his head, he noticed that Suki's body was covered in bruises and that her arm was clearly broken. - SUKI! What happened to you?

Suki opened her eyes at the sound of her lover's voice and caressed Sokka's face with her left hand.

- The battle situation is getting worse! - The Mechanist watched as the temple that had stood for years was hit by several bursts of fire, destroying its centuries-old structure. - Where is my son?

I was relieved that I had managed to bring down the flying vehicle, but when I saw the amount of explosive gel leaking from those bags, it was pretty obvious that they were going to be used as bombs.

- Well, I liked the fireworks. - June scoffed, enjoying having witnessed the big explosion. - What's the plan now?

A large fire tornado emerged from the centre of the battlefield, causing the sky to turn orange again. At the base of the tornado, Aang tried to push the flaming wind towards Jefh, who was pushing in the opposite direction. The vortex of air and fire made it impossible to get close to the intense clash of forces.

- What the hell is going on here? - June covered her eyes with her arm because of the intensity of the lights.

- This idiot is facing the Avatar alone! - I felt Jefh's energy in the centre of the firestorm, and it worried me. - That idiot! The Avatar's power is growing rapidly; at this rate, it will surpass Jefh's.

- The Avatar wasn't this powerful a few days ago! - June said, surprised to see the elemental power of fire and air combined.

Without wasting any more time, I use my fire as propulsion to temporarily fly towards the power struggle at the centre of the battle. I land next to Jefh and feel the intensity of the heat circulating around the fire tornado.

- You reckless one. - I strike Jefh on the back of the head.

- WHY DID YOU HIT ME! - Jefh roared in anger, his face sweating from the effort of containing the flaming tornado.

- You don't have the same tolerance for high temperatures as Kai and me, your body will be destroyed at this rate! - I scolded.

- ARE YOU JUST GOING TO WATCH OR ARE YOU GOING TO SHOOT YOUR DAMN LIGHTNING AT THE AVATAR? - Jefh shouted, his veins bulging from his head.

- This tornado has a lot of energy, any imbalance would cause an explosion that could destroy the top of this mountain, killing us all! - I raised my arms, concentrating my energy with Jefh's. - Let's combine our powers like we did before!

- IS THAT A GOOD IDEA? - Jefh asked.

- WANT TO DISCUSS NOW? SERIOUS?! - I shouted angrily, releasing the last of my energy.

The fire tornado began to take on a blue hue, slowly spreading into the sky, causing the ice around the mountain to melt and evaporate. The soldiers began to desperately move away from the intensity of the flames, slowly causing the rock beneath the tornado to collapse and cracks to form around it.

- Aang! You have to stop this now! - Katara screamed, trying not to get sucked into the vortex of the fire cyclone.

Aang couldn't hear Katara's words, completely consumed by the power he was wielding. The powers of Aang, Huzo and Jefh caused the flames to begin to channel into a single point, creating a ball of blue fire with an orange glow at its centre.

- Oh no... - I watched the spherical shape that gave off an infernal sensation of heat and power.

- That's not what I'm imagining, is it? - Jefh fell to his knees, not having the strength to stay standing, just lost in the vision of a small sun that had accidentally manifested.

The battle in the northern temple fell silent as everyone watched the sun hovering in the sky, its light growing brighter by the second.

- EVERYONE OFF THE MOUNTAIN! NOW! - I shouted desperately. - RETREAT IMMEDIATELY!

Huzo's sudden shout was heard by everyone who had been watching the spectacle of pure power a few moments ago, some soldiers did not understand the desperation in their superior's voice.

- EVERYONE, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE! - Jefh shouted, realising the danger that lay ahead.

June, who was riding Nyla, was ready to leave when she saw the soldiers accompanying her, along with the mechanist's son. She sighed and ran towards them to give them a lift.

- How is it possible that a sun has been created? - The mechanist looked at the orb in awe, unaware of its explosive power.

- This is terrible, very terrible! - Sokka said. - I recognise that kind of power . - His mind recalling the battle on Kyoshi Island and his unpleasant experience in the spirit world.

- Sokka, do you know what this is? - The mechanist asked.

- IT'S PRACTICALLY A BOMB! - Sokka shouted in alarm. - KATARA! AANG! WE HAVE TO GET OFF THIS MOUNTAIN!

The Mechanist opened his eyes in surprise and began to search more frantically for his son, fearing that he might be inside the temple.

- I DON'T SEE MY SON. - The mechanist grew increasingly worried, unable to see any sign of his only son.

The small sun began to collapse, changing shape uncontrollably, accompanied by a high-pitched, irritating noise, as if to indicate the instability of its core.

Jefh and Huzo ran in the same direction as the troops on foot, but found that the soldiers were disorganised and frightened by the high-pitched sound the small sun made each time.

- We're fucked! - said Jefh, seeing that they wouldn't make it down the hill in time.

- Let's get to the tanks! - I pointed, seeing that some of them were still on top. - Let's use them to escape!

- Then let's go quickly! - Jefh ran to the tank that had flame marks on its metal, the one closest to his position.

Within seconds he had opened the armoured door with his hands, using his strength to force it open. As he entered the tank, followed by Huzo, They noticed that the drivers fainted, as if they had hit their heads, until they lost consciousness.

- How do you fly this thing? - Jefh pushed the unconscious driver and took the wheel.

- The red button! - I pointed to the ignition button of the tank. - Use the grapple to speed up the descent, I'll try to get as many soldiers out of here as possible.

- I won't abandon you! - Jefh automatically refused and got up to follow his uncle Huzo.

- Don't even think about disobeying me now... - Before I could continue my rebuke, the tank we were in was suddenly pushed by an external force.

- AAAAAAHHHH WHAT'S HAPPENING!!! - Jefh screamed, losing his balance inside the tank and bouncing off the walls and ceiling.

Miraculously I managed to hold on to the steering wheel, it was impossible for me to sit down, but I had enough time to activate the grappling hooks. It took 2 or 3 seconds before we were suddenly pulled in a single direction. When we felt the impact, it was the same as if an Earthbender had hit us with a 1-metre rock, or worse.

When I felt that we were no longer free falling, I felt my vision blurring and my mind slowly returning to a familiar feeling of sleep, I was losing consciousness. Although I tried to keep my eyes open, I felt the need to sleep, but before my vision became completely blurred, I saw Jefh unconscious and with a bloody nose.

The small sun exploded, its effective blast radius engulfing the top of the mountain next to the Northern Air Temple in a ball of fire, and soon after the mountain began to slowly collapse, reduced to ⅕ of its original size, into nothing but undoing.

Team Avatar was on top of Appa, all shocked by the explosion that had just occurred. However, only one person was completely devastated.

- Son... - The mechanist knelt down and clutched Appa's fur. - I... I have failed you...

Sokka was silent, not knowing how to help his new friend who had sparked his interest in inventions, for the loss of a loved one could only be dealt with in time.

The large flying bison landed at the base of the mountain that had just exploded, but only one person got off Appa's back. The mechanist staggered to the foot of the mountain, almost bursting into tears.

- You can't stay here, the Fire Nation might come. - Sokka said, getting off Appa's back and walking towards his grieving friend. - Let me help you, we can leave you in the next town.

- Sokka... leave me alone. - The mechanist said dejectedly.

- But... - Sokka was interrupted.

- You're a smart boy, so you must understand that I need time. - The Mechanist's eyes began to shed a new wave of tears.

Sokka just sighed and lowered his head, looking at the part of the mountain that had just been destroyed and then looking at Katara, able to understand what she was thinking just by looking at her.

- Good luck. - Sokka said as he walked towards the flying bison.

The Mechanist stood alone, watching the ashes of the battle fall from the sky along with the snow. In his heart, he knew he was to blame, that it was his fault for breaking the agreement with the Fire Nation, that if he had been honest with his son from the beginning, by making weapons for the Fire Nation from the beginning, maybe this would never have happened.

The old inventor stayed in the same place for 2 hours, bitter with his thoughts of self-blame. He began to walk around the base of the mountain, noticing some dismembered bodies of soldiers lying on the ground, slowly covered by the snow. The wreckage of rocks, vehicles and weapons was clear to the old mechanist's eyes.

A stream of fire fell towards him, startling him and knocking him to the ground. The Mechanist opened his eyes as he saw the flames in front of him and turned his face as he saw the footsteps approaching in his direction.

- We need to talk - I say seriously, pointing my outstretched hand at the mechanist, preparing to execute him with the last of my strength.

Huzo stood in front of the mechanist, ready to kill him, his left arm with an exposed fracture, his forehead with a severe cut, his own blood covering one of his eyes.

A whip crack was heard in the air, echoing throughout the region. June appeared angrily, carrying a young man on her shoulders. She threw Teo to the ground with no remorse, leaving the crippled boy completely unconscious, but clearly alive.

- Son! - The Mechanist tried to reach out to his miraculously alive son, but his hand was struck by Huzo's flames the moment he moved. - Ahhhhhhh!!!!

- You only have one chance to save your son, and I'm sure you know exactly what you have to do. - I say harshly.

Jefh sat on a rock, his body aching, and watched as his Uncle Huzo made sure that the Fire Nation's new weapon was created by the very source that created it.

- I'm looking forward to a holiday now. - Jefh commented to himself, placing his hand on his stomach where he felt a lot of pain. - My father will kill me if he finds out what happened today.

Next chapter: The moment of change