A Recognition of Shadows

[Rikugurl]

Silver eyelashes parted with his skin and his eyes looked out towards the Avatar. "Honestly... I have never had friends before. Well.... except for La and Yue." He looked down at them respectfully and smile. "Maybe this is my fault to. I'm not so use to dealing with people on a daily basis but---" He paused, looking up at Soran again before smiling. "I am willing to try. Thank you Sora." His voice was soft again before he straightened, seeming to be lifted from his negative mode. "And I do have more information that was best left unwritten."

It was then that Aqua, Axel and Roxas joined them and Soran said no story would be good without some tea. Riku got the hint and started to make some as he told them about how he and Terra found the secret room where they found Maipe (who ruffled her feathers just from remembering) and that the room was full of original documents, plans and orders from The War. This seemed to perk Axel's interest, making him frown at the sound of something shady happening in the Palace. It wouldn't be unbelievable though... every nation had their secrets but he was sure the Fire Lord was not aware of this or if he was, he might just be able to tell them who else new of the room.

"It's better not to talk to the officials about it." Axel finally said, looking at Riku before sipping on his coffea that Roxas worked on as Riku worked on the tea. "We don't want to cause any disruption or lead to any bad tastes. I think what we should do is this: Soran and I will practice tomorrow with fire bending. Riku, you, Terra and Aqua should head back to the room and see what else you can learn. You said there is a library right? Perhaps it will hold some clues as to what's going on. Whoever captured Maipe... might have something to do with the Spirit as it was around the same time the creatures started to appear. Ventus and Roxas meanwhile can scout outside of the city. The Spirit most likely doesn't live within the walls but he might be close enough as cliffs give off a good amount of shadows and there are plenty here."

"I think Terra and I found out who took Maipe." The silverette spoke up quickly, making the group look at him. "When we found him, he took him to a place by the war room and had him look through the pictures. He reacted to one of them and it was of an older man. It said his name was... Master Xehanort. I believe the Fire Lord said he went missing?"
Axel frowned at this new information, his eyes deep in thought. "Master Xehanort is a trusted noble that advised the Fire Lord and was also the head scout of the throne. He was looking for the Avatar throughout the Fire Nation to find him when Avatar Ila passed away...." He looked at Maipe who was sitting in a tree, fixing his feathers and cleaning them. "It makes sense now why he would want my message blocked as it only took me less than a week to find the Fire Avatar."

"So... you wouldn't know where he'd be?"
"If I did, wouldn't I of already---aaahh....." Axel hissed, being hit in the ribs. "No... as you know, I enjoyed my solitude and hardly spoke a word to the man since I became one of the Fire Lord's Royal Scouts."


"Terra... if you stayed there.... you would be looking at the night sky now saying 'I should have gone with the Avatar and his friends. I wonder if they're ok. And if they're not, I could of helped them somehow'." He gave the brunette another smile before giving a nod with his bald head. "You cannot be in two places at once and you cannot change what you have done and what you will do in the future. We live now and what we do now will effect both what in in front of us and what is behind us but we cannot touch them now. There is no point dwelling what what could have been because it will only stop you from moving forward."

He slowly reached up, his small arms wrapping around the tanner neck as his toes pressed up against the dirt to get closer and level. "And besides... we would of never learned about each other... or become what we have now. Do you regret that decision?" He asked softly but like before, Terra wasn't able to answer because the blonde stopped him. This time, with a loving kiss.

[Reno]

Blue eyes blinked in surprise at the sudden kiss before the slowly lowered, tanned, strong arms wrapping around the airbender and bringing him close, the kiss instantly returned, their tongues dancing gently. When they pulled away, the brunette was smiling. Like always, Ven was right. "No, I would never regret being with you." He said softly, "Because without you, I would have to live without the greatest joy of my life."

He smiled when his words made the other blush, and lent down to give him another kiss.


As the small group discussed their options, they did not notice the sounds of the forest shifting or of feet climbing the small incline to where they were. It wasn't until Sora looked beyond them, his head tilting in curiosity, that everyone else looked back, seeing Terra and Ven emerging, their hands clasped between them. The brunette seemed much more at ease then he had been before.

And it was to everyone's surprise that he gave Ven a smile before letting him go and crossed over to them first, stopping before Riku. He clasped his hands and bowed lowly to the guardian, "I am sorry Riku for what I said before. My temper got ahead of me and I spoke out of turn." A trait, ironically, he must of picked up from his father. "I hope you will accept my apology."

There was a hush over the small group as they waited for Riku's response... and Sora grinned when the silverette let Yue to the floor - La following her without his notice - and stood and bowed as well, offering his own apology. He looked between them, his voice happy, "So, everything's okay now?"
When the two straightened and smiled to each other before nodding to the airbender, Sora called in delight and was on his feet in an instant, giving them both an enthusiastic hug.
"Avatar, is this hugging thing a trait of yours?" Terra asked with a wince, the brunette's scrawny arms much stronger than they appeared.
"'Fraid so!" Came the chipper response.
"Ugh..."

The others laughed at the poor duo's expense, before Terra and Ventus joined the group, sitting down and taking their tea as it was offered to them. Aqua quickly filled the two in on what they missed and what they were planning.

"Well," Terra finally said, as he sipped his tea "We can still scout the secret room, see if there is a clue about where he went, but then what? Do we tell the Fire Lord?"
"No." Aqua decided. "We don't have any proof Xehanort did anything at all."
"But we have Maipe!" Soran argued.
Terra smiled gently, "Unfortunately Avatar, I don't think he'll believe the word of a bird. And just because he stole a letter doesn't mean he did anything worse."
"Meaning he might not of asked for the Shadow Spirit's help?" Roxas clarified.
"Correct." Terra nodded, "Though, from what I can assume it's a likely proposition. From the way the letter was written, it sounded as if the cycle skipped the Fire Nation. I can imagine such a think would anger and shame much of the Fire Nation."
"But what would it solve to attack the other nations?!" Soran cried.
"Truthfully? Nothing. If the cycle DID skip - and we really don't have any proof that it didn't - it was based from a decision of a higher power we can't even control. If it was a punishment, such an uncaring attack is only going to result in a second punishment." The brunette said wisely.

Aqua nodded but frowned deeply. "Regardless, we do need to figure out if the Fire Lord has a traitor in his midsts... but more importantly we do need to find that spirit and stop him before word gets around that while the other nations are getting attacked all is fine here. Things like this will only spur old angers... and if that happens a war will escalate."

[Rikugurl]

"There's only one big MISSING piece to all this though." Axel interupted before anyone else could speak. "So let's say I rushed and honestly, I don't KNOW if the cycle skipped. Sure, Soran was founded wit the Air Nomads and even though he's an orphan, it doesn't mean that Soran wasn't from a Nomad family. But besides that, what does the Shadow Spirit have to do with Xehanort's disappearance? We need to find the link to the two. Spirits just won't do something because someone asks them to. They must... have a tie like Riku with the two spirits.... I think if we're going to find it, it'll be in that room.

"Hmmm...." Some eyes glance to the side, seeing Ventus staring at the ground, not minding if La and Yue were passing his gaze.
When Terra ask what the air master was thinking, the boy snapped out of it, glanced at the brunette first then at the other, balder brunette. "Soran... do you think the Monks would know... were you originally came from...?" He knew it wasn't Soran's favorite subject but... it might settle a lot of things... for both the Fire Nation and the Avatar alike.

[Reno]

The others nodded to Axel's words. Terra, Riku and Aqua knew they would have to search it carefully now for more than one reason. Aqua most of all was seeming ready to do so... her people were in danger and not just from these creatures anymore but from themselves.

However they all paused curiously when Ven spoke up, and it was Soran who frowned this time. He looked down at his lap, "Well... I would suppose so... Monk Kazu would certainly know at the very least." He bit his bottom lip nervously, then looked up and smiled with false cheer, "But that's not really important right now anyways! So... no need to hurry back and ask."

The others shared glances, blinking at the others horrible acting and it was Roxas who finally spoke up. "Soran... does it really bother you so much that you might be Fire Nation born?"
"....No. Not really. I mean it did at first but..." He sighed running a hand over his head where the little brunette fuzz was growing. "It's more... I don't really want to know why they are gone."
"They could simply be dead you know." Aqua pointed out.
"Yeah, and I'm perfectly happy with that thought!" Sora said with a smile but it fell quickly. "But if that's not it... I'd rather never know. I guess that makes me a little selfish though, huh?"

"No, it makes you normal." Roxas pointed out first. "There are days I wish I didn't know who my dad was too." This earned him a curious, and worried glance from Ven - after all they did share the same father.
Terra chuckled though and nodded. "Ah, a dream come true to not know my dad..."
"Or my mom!" Aqua laughed softly, but shook her head. they were just joking of course. she looked at the airbender more seriously, "But to actually not know... I dunno Soran that would make me unsettled. It really doesn't bother you... to not know you roots? Your last name?"
"Well... sure it does." The other admitted with a sigh. "But... knowing it comes with a price."

[Rikugurl]

"But---" Ventus spoke softly, about to argue that it could be the key to fixing what might be happening and make the Fire Lord happy... when Axel cut him off.
"Whenever you're ready Soran. I'm an orphan too, you know... so.. I understand."
Everyone looked over at the redhead, seeing his face grim and pale though there was darkness in his gaze. "Unfortunately, unlike you.... I didn't have the option to not find out. I was told why both my brother and I were orphans almost everyday."

The group became silent, their curious eyes all on the redhead now. Though he opened the can of worms, each of them found it wrong to ask him to continue.
After a few minutes, he looked up at Soran, giving him a weak smile. "We're orphans because our mother died when she gave birth to me. I suppose she lost too much died and..." He shook his head, his eyes looking back at the ground before him. "Our father was torn up about it so much and was overwhelmed with having a newborn, not really knowing what to do. I guess... he couldn't take it and..." Emerald eyes closed, a disgusted look running over his face.

Everyone could guess what happened to Axel's father.
"At least... that's why Reno has been telling me all his life. He blamed me for their death and... and I thought it was my fault... until a few days ago. That's why... I can't.... even think about wanting to kill another person...."
"So... is that why you saved Roxas's life that day in the forest fire?" Ventus asked softly, making Riku and Aqua aware of this for the first time. There was a shallow nod before an exacerbated sigh. "I guess blaming myself had it's positive affects." Emeralds looked out at Roxas, giving him a smile.

[Reno]

Sora smiled some when he heard Axel's words, glad someone understood... but it fell when the other told his story. It was... it was awful. And worse yet, Reno was again behind it. It was no wonder Axel was always so torn up!

Roxas forced a smile back, even if he felt sad for the other. Axel really had it tough... He reached out, taking the other's hand in his, "Well... you don't have to blame yourself anymore Axel; it could never be your fault for being born... and I'm not letting anyone - especially that jackass - tell you it was. I hope to repay you for that by making the rest of your life a happy one, because I would even trade away... all my swordsmanship skills for you!"

Was this really the same Roxas? It was hard to believe that when they first met him, the only think on the blonde's mind was to get revenge on the whole bender community simply for the pain and hate he felt in his heart. But now here he was... spilling out declarations of love! It was hard to imagine such a quick change, but it made Sora smile and glance at Ven realizing they had forgotten to offer Axel that he could have a new family... a family with them.

[Rikugurl]

The green and blue eyes stared into each others for awhile before Axel pulled his hand away, only to raise it some to take Roxas's chin. He saw the blonde blush as he pulled him closer... and suddenly wrapped his arm around his neck, pulling him closer and ruffling his hair. The group laughed as Roxas squirmed. "My wounds still hurt, jerk!"

It was quickly decided that they would obviously have a long day tomorrow, as if today wasn't long and tiring enough. They found their bags and easily found their places to sleep. Blankets were rolled out and pillows fluffed with the feathers of fauna inside. Axel and Roxas happened to sleep on the same blanket tonight, their arms and legs slowly entangling and bringing each other close though the air here was warm. With blushing faces, Terra and Ventus silently agreed to do the same, the young air master slipping into the same 'bed' as the brunette and wrapping his arms around the strong waist.

As for Aqua, she rolled her eyes and slept on her own as Riku and Soran wrapped Invidia into a soft blanket, La and Yue finding a spot in the blanket with her too. The silverette paused, looking down at his own makeshift bed and realizing Soran was now without one. "Umm..." He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're welcome to... share my blanket, Avatar."
There was some awkward movement but eventually, the two settled down under one blanket and it took them the longest to fall asleep under the Fire Nation sky.


In the morning, breakfast was served for both meat lovers and vegetarians alike. It was rather fun and joyful as the whole group egged Axel into eating more than his norm. When he finally let out a loud and rather extensive burp, they decided maybe he didn't need to eat any more. After breakfast, they freshened up at the stream nearby before breaking back into groups. Two groups headed into the Palace, one going to the Agni Kai Chamber and the other to the secret room.

Outside, twins gathered some things and sort of glanced around the area. "It's going to be fun working together again." Ventus laughed, hugging his brother, probably getting the habit from Soran. When he pulled away, he opened a map of the Fire Nation that Axel had acquired. "So..." He started, "Where should we go first?"

[Reno]

"Hmmm........ well here's the palace right?" Roxas asked, pointing to the center of town where two enormous circles where - presumably the middle circle being the palace itself and the outer ring the large space of land in which is occupied. When Ven nodded Roxas drew his finger across the map in a straight line until he reached the end of town before outlining a far expanse. "Then, here."

When his brother looked at him in confusion, he clarified. "Well, the sun sets in the west and the palace, being the largest building here, would cast the greatest shadow when it does. The shadows moves with the year as the sun does so we could look through this whole area first; search for caves or places he could hide in the dark?"


Feathers ruffled as Invidia flapped her wings and soared to the entrance of the palace, Soran laughing as he ran to follow. She looked back as he finally made it and smiled, barking proudly. "Alright, alright you win!" The avatar panted, and laughed as she jumped on his shoulder, licking him.
Watching the two, Aqua and Terra shared a prideful grin. They had really done great fixing her up! Axel knocked him on the head, telling the Avatar to get serious, but Sora took it all good-natured and as they split in the palace, Soran waved to the three, calling a happy "Good luck!"

It didn't take too long to find their way to the secret room and one by one, with careful gazes down the hall to make sure no one would see, they slipped into the small room behind the tarp.
"Well... let's get started!" Aqua said and walked over to the desk. looking down at the unrolled war maps that Riku had spoken of. Once of the earth kingdom - the one Terra had been looking at before - was there. She shuffled through them, before pulling out the ones for the Northern water tribe.

She studied them carefully and frowned, her eyes narrowing. "These aren't the same ones as we have on record."
The two looked at her in surprise, and Terra swallowed, still remembering the airship force that would burn his entire Kingdom to the ground from the air. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." She said as she set it down and sighed. "And if my copies were altered..."
"So were the ones for the Air Temples and the Earth Kingdom." Terra sighed but shook his head. "Come on, we'll figure out how to deal with that later. We need to find clues."


"Alright I'm ready!" Sora chirped as he jumped onto the tiled floor of the Agni Kai chamber, Invidia fluttering over to the stands to sit down and watch. The airbender turned and faced Axel, confidant though visibly nervous as well. He hoped he could make fire today....

[Rikugurl]

"Ah, ok! That sounds like a good place to start then!" Ventus smiled with his agreement and they quickly got onto Ila. They decided to take her today to spare them some energy and to get her about. She was becoming rather restless and they could only guess that her mind was on her pregnant friend. They wanted to keep her busy so she wouldn't get so sad... as Soran had said. It took no time for the brothers to get carried away through the streets of the city and towards the western side of the Palace.


Inside the palace, two snakes were placed on the floor and headed out to look for possible hidden papers in places the three would never look. Each figure moved to a different part of the room. Terra looked at one bookcase as Riku looked through another. Aqua tended to the table and some stands around it. Though the room was small, there was plenty to look at which was a good thing and bad thing. It held a lot of information but not much one what they were looking for...

Until...

"Hey... look at this." Riku finally called, making the other two stop their search for a moment and walked over to the guardian who was opening up an unmarked book. The page was open where an attached red bookmark was placed and all eyes inspected what had been marked. To their surprise, it was a book on the known spirits. A very old book. The writing was worn and the pages thin so they were careful not to ruin it as it was opened wider so they could all see. There was a sketch on the right side and a page full of writing on the left. On the right, the three could see a smoky figure with faint yellow eyes. It seemed to be nothing but a vapor of darkness.

Riku started to read out loud what was on the other side. "'Vanitas', also known as 'The Shadow Spirit', is one of the few Spirits that reside in this world. He is not well know or known at all to most of the people of this land and his is known to be rather spiteful for this fact. Even I was unaware of his existence until stumble upon him during an old scouting mission. Though I am sure he is thousands of years old, his behavior was much like a child that was left alone too long from an overseeing mother. The many times I have been in his prescience, he giggles and speaks in riddles but when he becomes serious, it is a frightening experience."

Riku frowned but continued. "I have learned that Vanitas did not choose to live on this world. From what I can understand from our talks, he was banished here by another Spirit. Apparently, his wicked jokes did not please a certain Spirit and somehow, he was punished to this world for the rest of his days. Since then, his wickedness grew and his hatred for all things Light increased. I believe his ultimate goal to to bring this world into pure darkness to get back at the Spirit who punished him."

From what they could tell, this entry was written at different times as some paragraphs were more faded than others. Carefully, the page turned and they saw another sketch... and it was shocking to all three as they recognized it to a point. It was close to resemble Avatar Ila.
"Vanitas looked different today, his looks mocking the Avatar and even his voice was a hollow version of hers. I figured it was just another one of his games and left it at that."
The rest of the writing was lose, having nothing but ink and water stains. Whoever wrote this most of accidentally split something on it.

The page was turned and this time, all three of them gasped as they looked at the next sketch... seeing that it resembled.... Soran.
"This day I realized that Vanitas has changed his looks again, though this time it is not of a figure I recognize. He spoke in riddles when I ask him why it is his form changes but from what I take of it, he desires the form of a powerful being. Is this what the Avatar currently looks like? Would this reflection of Vanitas help me find the missing Avatar? I unfortunately do not need to worry about this anymore as my time is already up. It came sooner than I planned but it seems there is a better scout that I. I am sure I will be dishonored and humiliated at court so I have decided that I will disappear before this happens. I have ultimately promised that I will help the Shadow Spirit in his quest to bring darkness over this world."

The book was closed and frowns spread on the three faces. "Well... I guess this is our tie between Xehanort and.... 'Vanitas'.... and this explains why the shadows are attacking. What it doesn't help with is the Spirit's location, what Spirit had banished him and.... what the plain is to bring our world under darkness. More answers for more questions..."


"Alright. Let's try a new strategy." Axel spoke as he stood 20 feet in front of the Avatar. "Remember that fire sac you have?" He asked, seeing Soran nod. "Good. Now, what I want you to do is imagine fire from your fire sac is moving from its holding, up your chest, through both arms and coming out from your hands. Envision it. Close your eyes if it will help. Fire is traveling from your fire sac, slowly moving up your chest..... around your armpits, down your arms... down through your fingers...and out your fingertips. Fire is traveling from your fire sac, slowly moving up your chest..... around your armpits, down your arms... down through your fingers...and out your fingertips. Fire is traveling from your fire sac, slowly moving up your chest..... around your armpits, down your arms... down through your fingers...and out your fingertips."

The redhead repeated it until Soran started to as well and there was a nod. "Now, when you feel the heat in your fingers, lash your hand out to help it come out of your finger tips, alright? Got it memorized? Now give it a go!"

[Reno]

It didn't take Ila long as all to get to the other side of the royal town - despite it's large size. Terra had been accurate to claim her as the fastest land animal. There, they stopped and studied areas that were full of rocks and ditches, of heavy forests, and even a cave or two. But each time, they found no sign of the shadow spirit, but signs that life had been there. On the rocks, climbers, especially children, had been at; decomposable trash left about or forgotten toys. In the forests trials had been made, trees marked on from romantic lovers, or burned from possible fights. And in the caves, recent excavating could be seen due to tools being left behind and earth being recently unsettled.

"This is tougher than I thought." Roxas sighed as he stepped out of the third cave that day, running a hand through his hair. He glanced at Ven and frowned. "Should we keep going?"


"You're forgetting one," Terra pointed out with a frown, the news greatly unsettling. "If he can shadow the Avatar - can he shadow anyone and what does it mean that he can take their appearance?"
"That's two..." Aqua said weakly, trying to lighten the air, but it was impossible. This was bad. Then that meant... that the Fire Nation being 'saved' from the attacks was only a ruse to the spirit. He didn't plan to leave the fire nation unharmed. But why then would he be saving them from it now unless...? "Is he throwing the world into chaos on purpose...?"

Terra sighed, rubbing his temples. This was becoming much more serious... and dangerous then he was expecting. What started out as a simple mission to return the Avatar to the Fire Nation was becoming a nightmare of a possible war and... ultimately their destruction. "This is insanity." He said finally, unnerved.


As Soran repeated the mantra, he had to admit, he DID feel the heat rising to his fingers. It was a pleasant, sort of tingling feeling. He took a breath as he heard the other call for him to firebend and he thrust out his hand and!!!

...nothing. Not even smoke! "Ugh! It felt close too!!"

The red-head urged him to try again and the brunette nodded before slowly lowering his hands and shut his eyes, whispering the mantra several times and again the warmth stirred. When Axel called for him to bend he lifted his hand again and-

Still nothing.

Again and again he tried with little avail - though once a bit of smoke did come to his fingertips. Axel was certain they were on the right track and kept urging him on. He was close... but not quite there. Sora hung his head after what must of been the 20th time but as Axel told him to try again he nodded and shut his eyes.

If he were truthful, airbending hadn't been easy for him either. What had Monk Kazu told him when he was trying to air bend for the first time?

"Sometimes, Soran, even benders who have even bended before prevent themselves from doing so." Monk Kazu said, watching his pupil trying to make a feather blow off a table with an air blast. The feather hadn't moved an inch yet.
"What do you mean?" The young boy asked with a frown.
"Sometimes, our inability to believe we can do something makes it so that we can not. It blocks our chi path with it's negativity." The monk smiled, "You must believe you can do it Soran, or you never will."

"Once more." Soran said his eyes determined and he lwoered his hands and shut his eyes. "Fire is traveling from your fire sac, slowly moving up your chest....."
Come on I can do this!
"around your armpits, down your arms..."
I was meant to be a firebender!
"down through your fingers..."
No... I AM a firebender!
"and out your fingertips."
"NOW!" Axel called.

Sora's arm rose and his hand thrust out once more... and this time, blue eyes reflected the color of fire as the flame burst from his hand and across the stage - where Axel had to quickly dispel it... but as the flames cleared even his teacher had a grin.

The brunette blinked at him before slowly looking at his hand... and a grin grew. "I...I did it!"
Invidia gave a happy bark on the stands.
"Axel, I DID IT! I'm a firebender!!" Soran cheered throwing his hands out in a victory pose.

[Rikugurl]

"Hehehehe~~~" There was some echoing laughter from the mouth of the cave and when Roxas looked back, he could see his twin brother holding up a hand sewn plush of an air bison, making it 'fly' through the air. The air master didn't hear the irritated and frustrated growl, having no clue that air bison were now truly extincted when the plush as hit from his hand by a sword and went sailing down into the crashing waves below. "Ahhhh...." The boy pouted and sighed as Roxas asked him the question again, his eyes wondering over the cliffs. "I gues---" He paused as his eyes caught something interesting.

"Hey, look!" He pointed out, Roxas looking across the ocean come to see a cliff behind the palace. There, they could spot another cave opening but it was in the middle of the climb down to the rocky depths. "It seems near impossible to get to but... that might be a more practical place for a Spirit to dwell!"


The book was placed down on the table and even Riku had to lean against it, a bit perplexed with all this information too. "Maybe we should tell the Fire Lord about all this. I mean... he has a whole army. We can... gather other benders from around the world and...." He paused, realizing how ridiculous that sounded. He just couldn't imagine one boy going up against this creature... and... he was worried for Soran's safety...


"Ut!" Axel's eyes widened as he saw a sudden fireball heading in his direction. His arms came up quickly and dispelled the blast, the smoke still raising from his arms as a grin pierced through it. "Alright!" He called, smiling happily and clapping as Soran did a small victory dance. "I knew you could do it. Now, let's try a few more times so you get the feel for it. Just because you can do it once doesn't mean you're ready to learn how to bend it. Send more fireballs my way!"

[Reno]

The blonde blinked hearing the laughter behind him and looked back, raising an eyebrow as he saw the other playing with a plush. His eyes became dull as he drew Oblivion and smacked it away. "Get serious!" He felt a little bad when he saw his brother's downtrodden look - but they really didn't have time for fun and games.

"Come on Ven... should we keep going?" Roxas blinked when his brother trailed off, but followed his gaze and saw, as he did, the cave. He crossed his arms, studying it carefully, then glanced back at the eel-hound who was patiently waiting for them. "Well... Ila could make it there easily." He looked at the cave uneasily, wondering for the first time if it was kind of stupid to go LOOKING for trouble. "If... we want to check it out now that is."


Aqua and Terra shared a glance, and from the look on Riku's face, it didn't take a genius to figure out what he was REALLY worried about. "You know, I know he's just a kid Riku - and he acts like it too much if you ask me- but Sora is also the Avatar." Aqua said, patting his shoulder. "He's dealt with a lot already and done so splendidly! You shouldn't doubt him so much."
"Yeah, and we will be there to help if he needs us." Terra added, but his words only seemed to make Riku sulk more. It seemed, despite Sora's speech yesterday, Riku still felt very incapable. The brunette hummed then smiled, an idea sparking his mind. "You know, Roxas handcrafted his twin swords....... I'm sure he could teach you how." The other glanced up at him, "Well, you can't be a swordsman without a sword now can you?"


Sora shot Axel a smirk as he got back into his stance, one uncannily familiar to the one the Axel often wore. It was one that exasperated self-assurance. He had the look of a Firebender in his eyes. "You're on!"

The moment the first spark was there, it was easy after that - mustering that feeling not only in his body but in his mind. It was a completely different mind-set that he had to place himself in to be a fire bender; just as he knew it took a calm one to air bend and a resilient one to earth-bend.
And Axel quickly found out that the Avatar was a fast learner. Not only because Soran himself was, but because he had mastered these bending skills hundreds and hundreds of times before. Sending the fire balls was easy enough - but soon Sora started to get... a little creative.

Creative as in he was the fireballs on his fingertips and bouncing them to Axel and throwing them high like he was trying to land them in a hoop and even once he kicked it like in airball, aiming for the goal. To have not called a stop to it immediately, Axel either found it entertaining (and fun himself since once he bounced a ball right back and they played a game of 'hot ball' to see who could send it back fastest) or studious for the airbender as it taught him to control the heat and his own movements while bending.

But soon enough, too soon in Sora's opinion, Axel did halt the games and told him it was time to move on. the brunette pouted a little, but when Axel announced the name of their next new move, he perked right up.

[Rikugurl]

"I'm sure I can glide over there. If you take Ila, it will be safer with just one person." Ventus spoke as he got back to his feet, dusting himself off. He snapped his staff and it instantly turned into the beautiful Air Nomad Glider. The blonde looked back, giving his brother a smile before he jumped off the cave entrance and glided across the small bit of ocean. He seemed to stall, flying around the entrance to most likely wait for his brother to come so they would venture in together.


Riku frowned, his arms crossing as Terra was sounding much like a hypocrite now. The guardian had said the same thing last night and... He sighed, letting it go as he knew the night before wasn't good for either of them. His aquamarine eyes glanced up at the indication that Roxas could help him make a sword but that didn't cheer him up any either. "I don't know how effective a sword will be against a Shadow Spirit, to be honest."


"Alright~ Enough now!" Axel called, dispelling the last fireball easily. He hardly broke a sweat, a smile on his face from the fun. It had been a long time since he played with someone like this. He remembered though that this wasn't all fun and games. "Next, you're going to learn Fire Streams. A Fire Stream is another basic firebending ability, Firebenders can shoot continuous streams of fire from their fingertips, fists, palms, or legs. These streams can be widened to create flame-thrower like techniques. To become a master firebender, you have to be agile yet solid. Much like earthbending, you have to store up a lot of power and make powerful movements though unlike them, you have to be lucid like the waterbenders for the flow of fire to run like lava through your body."

This time, he walked over to Soran and stood by his side. "So, I want you to forget about making fire right now and work on your stance and balance. I also want you to start working on your breathing technique. As a firebender, you have to conserve your fire. If you don't, you will wear out easily and not be able to firebend. Rememeber, we have that 'fire sac' and it will empty if you don't keep it filled. If you wasted everything in it, you will have to sleep a full night's rest to retain it back and even that doesn't work if you do it too much. Then again, I'm sure you know a thing or two about discipline." He laughed, making Soran smile and nod.

[Reno]

There was a nod, Roxas masking his hesitance as he turned back and went to Ila. He jumped on, "Alright... let's go." The Eel-hound shook her head, seeming uneasy but with another push she went off climbing down the hillside and racing through the water to the other side where Ventus was. She scaled up the cliffside, and Roxas jumped from her saddle onto the ledge, Roxas landed next to him.

The eel-hound continued to climb the rest of the way, looking for a safer purchase on the flatlands. Ven shared a glance with his brother and nodded before placing his hands on his swords... and together they walked inside.


Terra knew what he sounded like - and truthfully he still wasn't sure what they could do to help; the spirits weren't something most people really didn't think you could FIGHT. That's why most people were afraid of angering them. But if such a thought comforted Riku to think of it as such, then he'd say it.
Aqua shrugged. "Roxas seems to be managing, which is actually quite strange now that I think about it..."
"It's probably the light glinting off the metal." Terra pointed out with a shrug. "Just like the sheen from water or ice can do harm."


"Yeah, you can do the same with airbending." The brunette said, scratching his head as he tried to explain it. "Run out of it... in a way. Certain moves inhibit an airbender to gather up as much air as they can for an attack but the stance doesn't provide you with a way to gather more." He blinked curiously and chuckled. "With all this talk, it really does seen that all the nations are kind of connected in ways with their bending, even if they are separate elements, huh?"
The red-head seemed thoughtful, but he agreed. That's when they got started, Sora following his teacher's example as he taught him.

He hoped the other's were having as much success as he was.

[Rikugurl]

Their feet patted on the cold surface of the cave's floor and it was easy to realize just how dark it was as they walked further. Unlike the other caves they had explored today, they did not find any evidence that people had been in this one. This was probably because of it's location as it was dangerous to climb down the narrow cliffs. If you slipped and fell, a horrible death awaited you at the bottom with crashing waves and rugged rocks. As they continued, they noticed some other characteristics that were unlike the other caves. The walls were smooth, making it seem like this was more of an underground tunnel than a cave.

And of course, there was no sign of living creatures anywhere and when they came to a small set of stairs, they glanced at each other again, realizing their amount of light was getting smaller. "M-maybe we shouldn't go down there..." Ventus whispered, hoping that whatever laid beyond the darkness couldn't hear him. "I think this might be a good place to come... when we're ready." Roxas, though a fearless and brave warrior, had to agree and they both quickly turned around and headed back to the front of the cave like something was actually casing after them.


It was evening when the whole group came together, this time all meeting in the Agni Kai Chamber. They all walked quietly over the bench seats, their eyes glued on the two below. There were flashest of fire from both, both moving in unison as their fists shot down, making fire explode in front of them and the flames seemed to suck back towards them. Fist and foot reached out, fire streaming from both limbs before the foot pushed back, making them straight and standing on one foot as a stream of fire shot from their fist again.

They placed their foot down on the ground solid, one of their arms coming over their head as they took a deep, timed breath and repeated.
"Ah! He learned how to make his own Fire!" Ventus laughed happily, finding an empty space next to Terra. He continued to watch the two in the courtyard, seeing them change their movement that made more fire. Fireballs shot out as they kicked their feet up and showed some skillful gymnastics. He had never seen Soran move like that!

"So, did you have any luck?" The guardian asked the other, making Ventus look away for a moment. "Yea. Roxas and I think we found a great place to start our search when we're ready. How about you guys?"
"We found some background information and what we can expect. This isn't going to be easy."
"Well of course not, it's a Spirit!" Ventus called back but nodded proudly. "We can still do it though!"
Seeing that Roxas couldn't sit with Axel, he sat next to the silverette instead which was beneficial to him. "Roxas... I need you to help me make my own sword." Riku spoke over the sound of whoooshing fire.

He turned, reaching into a side pouch he carried with him before taking out a pale rock. "This is called a Moon Stone. They can onlly be found in the oasis. It will absorb the moon's light and I want to have my sword hold it somehow."