Chapter Three: The Three S's- Snarky, Sarcastic, Sweet

"Song, wear this. It'll be weird for a Southern Water Tribe girl to be wandering through the Earth Kindgom looking for an earthbending teacher. No one knows who the Avatar is yet, and this is a good thing. I heard that Princess Azula, Zuko's younger sister, broke free from her mental prison and is looking for revenge and the Avatar," he put his index finger to his chin in thought.

"She might release Ozai too. She can create and redirect lightning, so... lets steer clear of flaunting your power, 'kay?"

"Okay, Hakeem, I get it," said Song in clear aggravation. He narrowed his eyes in mock suspicion. "Do you Song? Do you really?"

Song laughed, rolling her eyes and punching his arm. They walked off of the ship, with Song in between Hakeem and one of the soldiers from the ship. After a little bit of persuasion on Hakeem's part, he convinced most of the people aboard that the Avatar was not the one to be hated, nor was Fire Lord Zuko.

Song walked with her head high, almost like she were royalty, with her arms crossed tightly across her chest. They were going to try and pass her off as Fire Lord Zuko's oldest daughter, since no one really knew if Zuko even had children, it seemed like a good plan.

"State your business." said the guard. Despite the peace that was now around the nations, everyone was still tense, especially when the Fire Nation came through. The Fire Navy aren't as pompous and cocky as they were before, but they still kind of are now. Hakeem lightly touched Song's shoulder, lifting his chin as he spoke.

"We are here to speak to the Earth King." Hakeem said tersely. It was obvious he would say no more. The earthbender tried to get a good look at Song, but her hood covered most of her face, only showing her mouth, which was set in a look of annoyance. He narrowed his eyes and looked to Hakeem.

"And who is this girl?"

"This is Princess Jen, daughter of Fire Lord Zuko, and heir to the throne. We think the Avatar cycle may have skipped, and we want to test our theory. Waterbending would be too hard to attempt this for a firebender, and there are no longer any airbenders that the Fire Nation is aware of. Earthbending was our last resort," said Hakeem cooly. Song wondered how he could remain so calm.

The earthbender straightened where he stood, turned, and ordered the men to escort the three into the city. Song pulled her cloak closer around herself, fearing that her clothes would show and give her away.

As they walked through the halls of the royal palace, and approached the doors to the throne room, Song grabbed the shoulder of the earthbender escort and pulled him to a stop. "This is official Fire Nation business, strictly between the Earth King and I, please tell all guards in the throne room to leave before we enter," Song said imperiously. The earthbender nodded and walked quickly ahead of them to give the message.

They stood in front of the doors, waiting to be let in. "Nice one. You sounded so much like a Fire Nation royal," Hakeem laughed.

"To be one, I must act like one. Now step away, you're in my royal space," Song said, her royal voice still strong and clear, but still sarcastic. Hakeem smirked.

"Yes your highness," he said, stepping sideways a few inches. Song grinned, but quickly returned to her look of bordem and annoyance when the escort returned, holding the door for them to pass through, and then leaving. The room was desolate except for the Earth King who sat on his throne, waiting for one of them to speak. Hakeem bowed slightly, but Song didn't bother. She walked right up to the Earth King, and said quietly, "I'm not from the Fire Nation, and I am the Avatar. I need an earthbending teacher. How quickly can this happen?"

The Earth King grinned. "I knew you weren't Fire Nation, right from the beginning. Your posture said so. They're usually rigid, you were more relaxed. I would say Northern Water Tribe girl?"

Song smirked. "Nope. Southern; my name is Song."

"All right. Let us see, the Avatar has just walked in, basically demanding a teacher, and wants to know how fast this can happen, correct?"

Song nodded.

"Well, there are four earthbenders who can teach you that are just about to walk in. Choose the one you wish to teach you," said the Earth King, gesturing to the earthbenders who had just walked in. Song pulled her cloak off and tossed it at Hakeem as she walked by, looking at each earthbender from head to toe. She knew the big, tall, and buff ones wouldn't work, so she shook her head and they walked away, their shoulders slumped.

Only one remained, and she was short, with bright green eyes and pale skin. Her hair was short and spiked in all different directions. "Who are you?"

"Rei," said the earthbender. "And by the way, if you choose me as your teacher, I won't go easy... even if you're a waterbender." she smiled sweetly and crossed her arms. Song grinned and turned her head, pointing at Rei.

"Her." she said in a definate tone.