Chapter Four: Learning How To Earthbend
Rei walked around Song, considering her height, taking in her appearance. "Copy me," she said, and stood in the earthbending stance. Song copied her, but Rei sighed heavily and grabbed Song's forearm.
"Your stance needs to be strong. Earth is a hard element to learn, it's stubborn. You need to be the same. Now, copy me."
Rei repeated the stance, specifically showing Song to make herself like a rock. Rei made it a point to show Song how she needed to stand. Rei then suddenly shoved a rock towards Song, making her jump out the way, the sudden attack being a huge surprise.
"Are you crazy?" Song shouted, brushing the dirt off of her arms as she stood up.
"A little, but you need to learn how to earthbend. I don't plan on being here all week," said Rei in a nonchalant voice. "Now, let us try this again."
Hakeem watched about ten feet away with narrowed eyes. He didn't really like this earthbender. She was being too rough with Song. But she had to learn, didn't she? She was the Avatar! Of course she had to learn, but he hated seeing her under so much pressure.
Rei shoved another rock towards Song, and she punched her hand out. The rock smashed against it, breaking into hundreds of tiny shards which rained down around her. Song gasped and held her hand against her chest. "Am I always going to hurt myself when I do that?"
"It will for a little while, but you need to get used to it. That was really good for a beginner though," Rei complimented with a small smile. Song smiled, but continued to massage her hand. It was throbbing, as if it had its own pulse. Throughout the entire day, they continued the same exercise, and eventually Song mastered it. She easily shoved it away from herself and back at Rei with such force that when it was broken, it had hurt Rei's hand.
Song smirked at Rei, who was now rubbing her own hand. "Who needs to get used to it now, huh?"
Rei rolled her eyes. "Whatever, noob. I think we're done here. You're the Avatar, so since you've mastered that, you can try various other earthbending techniques. You can head off to the Fire Natioh tomorrow, you'll need more practice there, seeing as how you're a waterbender and all."
Song frowned. Rei was right; she would need more practice with firebending than with any other element. And then there was the issue of finding an airbending teacher. Song nodded and her and Hakeem walked away from the young earthbender. Hakeem was confused. "So, you're just going to leave with only a little bit of earthbending mastery?"
"Yeah, I am. I do need to learn on my own. I've got a good bit of it down, and if anything I can just ask for a little help along the way if I can't get it right. I think I know who can teach me to firebend though. We need to go to the Fire Lord. I have a good feeling about this..."