Thread: AVATAR: An Icy Burn-Out (BennyQ/Sketchyequine)

It took the greatest amount of willpower to stay put and hidden as the Fire Nation ships hit the shore and began to unload men and material. Dozens of foot soldiers and rhinos but were they fighters? Conscripted peasants or bullies and thugs looking to oppress others, they had nothing on true freedom fighters and those who fought with the heart. Rikkar and his people were fighting for their very lives, while the Fire Nation were only looking for conquests and riches. They could do this. All they had to do was stand their ground and the foe would break themselves like water on a rock. The main body of the Water Tribe, the bait, would take the blunt of the Fire Nation landing force. Rikkar and his group, along with another on the far edge, would shadow and flank the Fire Nation group as they landed and tried to make headway, drawn into a trap. They wouldnt have the conviction to match their icy demeanor in battle. It seemed so easy, the Fire Nation force so headstrong and arrogant. And so, without a doubt as to their own danger, when the Fire Nation ships and fighters pursued them up the beach, they got ready to spring their trap. They wouldnt expect the surprise attack. Just as they, the Water Tribe warriors and benders, didnt expect the Fire Nation to ambush the ambushers. The Water Tribesmen fell upon the Fire Nation landing party and tore them to pieces, half not even aware that Fire Nation soldiers appeared all around from the trees and mountains. Rikkar by some fortune spotted them a moment early, even as Chieftain Hiddock took three spears to his body and was slaughtered, along with many others who found themselves surrounded. Quickly, the three groups of Water Tribesmen were cut off from each other and each outnumbered by two or threefold their numbers. What was supposed to be a glorious ambush turned into a desperate struggle. But as he thought before, they had conviction and each fighter of his kin took one or more down with them. They would die here today but the Fire Nation would think twice about it. Rikkar definitely put in his own dent in the memory of his foes. Forming two whips of water extending from his arm, he managed to keep a considerable space of safety about him as he whipped, lacerated, or outright grabbed Fire Nation warriors and flung them aside. He didnt think at first of fleeing. His comrades, his kin, his people, they were all dying or captured here. He would not think of abandoning them even to save his own life. His teeth gritted and sweat tickled his forehead. He was already panting hard when a large beast began to rumble towards him. His water lashes barely affected it, splashing off its hideous hide as it bore into him. He reached out in some subconscious gesture, not really knowing what he was doing, as the creature struck him. The horn tore through the fabric on his shoulder and hefted him right up, jerking his body roughly. He clenched his teeth and grabbed the horn to try and balance himself, struggling to hold on and not be trampled as he was carried far from the fight. The screams of his dying comrades was replaced with whipping branches and fluttering leaves but the solace of it didnt distract him. The beast came to a halt and he struck the ground, heaving for breath, his arms feeling like deadweight. It took a moment to struggle to his feet, Rikkar expecting the cold brush of steel into his flesh at any moment. Instead he felt sudden heat and looked up to see a female fire bender preparing to attack him. With a sudden leap, he threw himself aside and was only singed by the launched fireball. The cork of his water flagon flew off and a jet of water came out, clear and crystalline, swirling about him in a protective net. He kept his distance, his arms moving slightly in an elegant dance, matching the water flowed fluidly with his motions around him. His brow furrowed but he still panted, wounded from the carry and already exhausted from the previous combats. But he was not about to give up. I am ready to die for my people and land. Arent you the honourable one. He mocked, trying to goad his opponent into making the first move. Picking a fight with someone whos back is turned, already preoccupied. Is this how you win all your fights? You must be so proud. Well come on then, I never had any issue teaching little girls how to dance. Rikkar said with a forced grin, white teeth visible in neat rows, as bright as the ivory tusks of a walrus. He needed to preserve his water though. He had a limited supply. And he could not stoop to such a base level as taking water from vegetation, leaving it dead. There was water all about, but it would kill the grass and leaf if he did. This war is about protecting life, not destroying your enemy. He waited for the Fire Benders assault. Fireballs he simply lashed aside with the water, producing puffs of steam which he promptly reabsorbed back into his swirling tendril of protection. As long as she didnt output enough fire to completely reduce his water supply to steam, he could prevail in this. He just needed to wait for her to expend herself before he even dared to attempt an attack. But he was tiring. His bare shoulders, rounded like balls of iron and looking as hard, heaved up and down with his breathing. He had a cut on his forehead which began to bleed onto his eye, distracting him. His clothing was tattered. He was a desperate animal, cornered and wounded, but capable of biting deep. And Rikkar waited for it, ready to spring on any mistake his foe might make. If she tried to come near, the water tendril would form into a lance of solid ice on his right arm, with a very sharp point, ready to jab and hack at her. But if she got close enough, within range, there was nothing he could do to stop her.