Chapter 50: Training the Apprentices

Ash trudged across the yard. Despite the harsh winds and steadily growing snow, Goldwing wanted Ash and the others to take out their new apprentices before the snow got too much. However, the snow was getting really big, and it took Ash a long time to get across the yard, same with the others. They all had to use a lot of effort to pick their legs up.
Finally, they entered the forest. Ash looked around. The apprentices looked more exhausted than the mentors. Snakeseye looked very cold, more cold than the others, but he seemed to be fighting the urge to ask to go back into The Bending Tower.
"So what do we do now?" Cinder looked up at Ash with a smile on her face and big, beaming eyes. She twitched her whiskers, making a bit of snow fall off them. She seemed eager to learn, as well as the other apprentices, except Cinder seemed more excited.
"Umm..." Ash thought for a minute. "How about we do a little hunting, maybe? Because the prey is going to be hiding for a while." Ash examined the patrol, seeing that few with faces that showed that they agreed with him.
"I think we should teach them fighting," Dust shrugged, "Because the Firebenders supposedly want revenge on us, they're going to need to learn how to fight." Dust looked around, and everyone slowly began to nod agreement, especially the apprentices, who looked like they wanted to learn to fight more than anything.
"Agreed," Charlotte nodded. She turned to the apprentices. "Remember, Bending isn't the only fighting you need to learn, and Bending is more complicated than it looks. There's certain 'forms' you need to do to use a certain Bending move, and this is all a bit too advanced to be something for beginning apprentices. Fighting is efficient, too. It can do a lot."
"Well, unless your opponent uses Bending back," Dust snorted with a little eye roll. Charlotte looked at him, and Dust looked back at her. "What?"
Charlotte shook her head. "We'll do pairs, mentors and apprentices. You can do simple fighting, but no biting hard and trying to kill each other!" Even though she sounded serious, there was amusement in Charlotte's eyes. The apprentices all nodded eagerly. "Spread out," Charlotte nodded.
"C'mon Cinder," Ash nodded to his apprentice, and he headed over to the bushes, away from the others. The bushes had a lot of snow on them, and Ash planted his paws in the snow. "Now, this snow is going to make it harder to fight. When the snow is gone we'll probably be going over fighting again." He looked at Cinder. "First, let's learn a basic move. Using your claws, scratch wherever you can. If there's a weak spot you know of, like a scar on your opponent, try clawing that. Try it on me. But like Charlotte said, don't try to kill me."
Cinder nodded, and for the first time she looked worried. She crouched down and leaped, and Ash noticed her claws were out. Cinder jumped for Ash and landed a scratch on his shoulder. It didn't hurt, but Ash was sure if Cinder wanted to she could do serious damage.
"Good," Ash nodded. "Now, try attacking again."
Cinder looked a bit confused, and fell a bit in the snow, which tripped her. As snow blew into her pelt, Cinder leaped again, her paw forward, giving a hint that she was about to strike his shoulder again. As she came closer, Ash jumped back, dodging easily, and Cinder fell to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Cinder got to her paws. Ash nodded. "Good try, but an enemy is likely to dodge and strike back. If I were your enemy I would have pinned you to the ground and would have tried to kill you. Luckily, this is only practice," Ash chuckled. "Try again. When you see an enemy, try to sneak up to them if you're in the bushes or hidden. When I see you and can expect you coming at me, be quick and attack in the way your enemy least expects it."
Cinder nodded, and crouched down. Ash expected her to jump towards him, but instead she darted around to the back of Ash. Ash turned to face her, trying his best to act like an enemy. Cinder then darted to the other side and when Ash was about to face her again, he suddenly felt her weight come down on his back.
"Good!" Ash nodded, and easily shook her off. He faced her. "Do that, use your swiftness to bring down your enemy. But when you do it to an enemy, dig your claws into their backs and hang on."
Cinder nodded, and the winds grew harder, and snow blew. Ash shivered from the cold. He trotted over to the group, "We should probably resume training inside The Bending Tower!" Ash yelled over the mighty, strong winds.
"Good idea!" called back Charlotte's voice; she was barely visible with all the snow blowing. Trying his best to follow, Ash walked with the group back in the direction of The Bending Tower, Cinder following close by him.

Author's Note:
Don't you love blizzards? P: