The Training Part 1

Aaron was standing on the topmost of the group of boulders that were kept one upon one. He was gasping and was trying to control his increased breathing. Aaron was thinking about the ruthless training program he is following for two days. Every day, he went to the same training field and stood upon the same group of boulders while Lunatok and Sage Henlo mercilessly shot a volley of combined attacks of Fire and rocks. The motive was simple, to make Aaron fall off the group of boulders while Aaron has to focus on dodging the attacks and had to remain upon the boulder till the sunset. On the first day, Aaron was excited about the training he was about to start but, his excitement faded away as soon as he heard about his training.

"Why should I follow this training program, I mean what advantages it has, I only see disadvantages and wastage of precious time," argued Aaron.

"Avatar, your mindset is not yet matured enough to understand why I created this training program, agility is one of the important aspects of one's strength in bending. And as the Avatar and the most important bender in this world, You should learn to enhance your agility. In the future, you would get into a lot of conflicts which you have to solve alone without anyone else's support and at that time, your agility, mindset, determination, experience and decision making mentality would help you." explained Henlo.

"I got it now, Sage Henlo. I was preparing myself for the immediate cause but, You were preparing me for the later from the very beginning." Aaron said with a respectful tone.

On the very first day, Aaron was able to take two rounds of firing before falling to the ground. His main problem was his aggressive style of fighting, Aaron mostly relied on his offense as he personally believed that Offense is the best defense. But, here he neither had his offense nor his defense and the only type he can rely on was his intelligence. On the second day, He was able to take on seven rounds of continuous firing before tiring and fainting on the ground.

Aaron immediately snapped out of his thoughts when another volley of fire and rocks came at him. The problem with this training that Aaron faced was that the land was much less in an area that restricted his movements and he was also prohibited from using any type of bending which just left him with two options: his speed and perception. He had just taken nine continuous rounds and his whole body ached. He was sweating profusely and his vision seems to dim. Wiping the sweat off his face, Aaron stood up on his feet to take another volley which was about to be fired.

"I think, We are getting too rash and merciless and we should take a break," suggested Lunatok.

"You think, I love what I am doing right now?" argued Henlo.

"No, But..."

"I am just training the Avatar because there would be such times when the world would seem more unfair and merciless and Aaron must be readied for when that time comes." interrupted Henlo.

"What happened Lunatok and Sage Henlo, tired already?" said Aaron mockingly.

As soon as these words left Aaron's mouth another volley of fire and rocks were fired at him. Fortunately, He was ready for this and immediately leaped off the boulder and immediately grabbed the second boulder between the small cracks. After the firing was over, Aaron immediately forced his body upwards and landed on the flat surface of the topmost boulder.

"This one was the tenth volley. But, I cannot rely on this trick forever as they would surely counter it the next time I tried to use it." Aaron said to himself.

"That kid is something. He relied on both his agility and intelligence to dodge this round tactfully," commented Henlo.

"Aaron dodged this round pretty nicely and this was his tenth round. He is improving day-by-day," commented Lunatok.

"Actually not only Aaron but, you are also improving your bending by continuously firing it. As bending requires physical and mental strength. If his training achievements are great then yours aren't too shabby either. Just focus on strengthening your bending." praised Henlo.

After hearing to what Sage Henlo said, This training, Lunatok and Sage Henlo training Aaron to become a better Avatar, everything made sense to him. His mind was troubled when Lunatok heard that he would have to train Aaron and the only thought which clouded his mind was, "When would I train for my Earthbending. I also want to train and it is unfair."

But now after hearing what Sage Henlo said, Lunatok's mind became as calm as flowing of water in a river.

"Let's train Aaron and I wouldn't hold back now because by training him, I am training myself," Lunatok said cheerfully.

"I like your attitude Young Lunatok, I see that both of you have a great future together."

"Thank you, Master, I would do anything you said and would let Aaron perfect his bending while I do mine." said a determined Lunatok.

"Stop your conversation right down, I am getting bored up here. Where is the volley, I am ready and waiting," shouted Aaron from above.

"Alright then, its time Aaron, I wanna clear the debt of our duel in Omashu," muttered Lunatok and stomped his feet on the ground three times. This time bigger rocks floated above the ground. With a swirl of his hands, Lunatok directed the rocks at Aaron.

This time, the rocks hit Aaron who wasn't ready for this and He fell off the boulder. As Aaron was about to hit the ground, He immediately came back to his senses and grabbed the third boulder from the bottom. His hands were trembling as he thought about the incident that happened just now.

"His bending, it is stronger than the last time we fought in that duel. This means not only me but, he is also getting stronger. Nicely done, Sage Henlo. You are a smart man." praised Aaron as he leaped from one boulder to another.

But, before he landed on the flat ground, another volley of huge rocks and fireballs were shot at him and this time he was in the air and fell off and landed flat on the ground and lost consciousness.