Chapter 3

Disclaimer: See the Prologue or Chapter 1.

Also, a note that the next four chapters will be two weeks apart in the story. Simba is learning an element every two weeks.

Again I don't own the following character's which belong to T5Tango:

Dameii

Water

Wet N' Wild

*Two weeks later*

*Simba*

I was totally in the zone to whoop some tail as I focused on the lions in front of me. "Alright Simba. Now demonstrate what you have learned from air bending." Dad said to me, right before he sent a fireball directly at me. I quickly retaliated by spinning around and thrusting my paws forward which released a gust that move the flame to the side. Dad repeated his fire many times and I continued to countered them. Despite my anxiousness to learn the elements, these sparring sessions with the masters kept me feeling like, AM I Crazy? My thoughts were broken as Dad then stepped back and Paku rushed in.

"Now deal with this!" Paku shouted and slowly raised his left paw which caused a blast of water to shoot at me from a nearby puddle. I crossed my front paws then spread them to formed a wall of air that deflected the water away from me. While the water came at me, I kept remembering Sifu Dameii's mantra about using the air wall. Breathe in and out, that is the way it works. Pulls air in and keeps everything else out. But at the same time, I was thinking about the force of Paku's blow and realized it was weakened purposely so I could block it. He is so gonna get it when I am full grown. I don't need a training tail or whatever. I scowled as I also saw him chuckle at what I assumed was him blasting me full force.

"How about this?" cackled Rafiki who thrust his hands down into the ground and lifted a boulder before kicking it towards me. I spun around quickly and released the Gale Fang that my grandma taught me, with my tail, that quickly cut the boulder in half with the cutting wind fang. I also winced as my tail ached from using the technique since I had not mastered it completely. I looked at my tail and half laughed when I saw it looked a smoky stick and winced when I felt the spasm come from it that felt like a cub had chewed on it.

"Now for your final test." Grandma said proudly. She started spinning her paw in a circular motion that reminded me of when I used to chase my tail when I was little and then she thrust her right paw forward which shot a mini tornado at me. I mimicked her and sent my own tornado which cancelled out hers. I actually panted as my tornado vanished. I panted because my grandmother had not held back as much as the others when releasing her tornado at me. I smiled at her as I gained my energy back. At least she sees that I am capable of more than just

"Well done son. You have become a fine air bender." Dad said proudly and licked my forehead. I could not help but to purr. Dad's nuzzle might not feel much to another's body, but to my heart, it feels like one of the best things I can receive, other than for some reason, a lick on the cheek from Nala. Don't ask me why I like that better cause the hell if I know.

"Thanks Dad!" I said before being tackled by my brother ,who nuzzled me so hard it felt like everything was spinning. How can my brother feel harder than Bumi's rocks? It is unreal!

"You were awesome Simba." He said astonished. Admittedly, so was I.

I never expected myself, with a handicap as it were, to do as well as I did with the masters. In truth, I half-expected that I would A) Be nursing a smoking tail tuft, B) Groaning from getting an early bath, or C) feeling the aching pain as a rock crushed me against the wall. So you can imagine my surprise when I managed to avoid all of those things and still be standing. I thought I was gonna faint instead.

"Thanks bro!" I said happily while returning the nuzzle. I Then saw our father chuckling and then got back up on my paws.

"Simba, since you have completed your training in the element of air, today you will begin your training with water. You and your friends will be going with Paku to the Water district for your training." Grandmother said with a warm smile.

"Well Simba," I looked to the beige lion with a white maned named Paku with anticipation, "Are you ready to move on to your water bending lessons?"

"You bet I am." I was tapping my claws so much into the den floor from anticipation, that I noticed I had left permanent scratches in the stone. Kopa and I then walked up to Dad and nuzzled him goodby to joined the others. Trailing behind Paku, we set out for the water district. As we journeyed there, my head was filled with exciting thoughts of all the cool water moves I could use once we got there.

"So Sifu Paku, what am I gonna learn today?" I asked curiously.

"Simba, WE are obviously going to learn water bending today." Nala said with a giggle. Her giggle to me, for some odd reason, sounds like a bunch of what I think are doves chirping in unison.

"I know. Wait WHAT?! We are going to be learning?" I said as my eyes went wide. If it was possible, I am sure my eyes would have popped out of my skull or and if not that, then I would ask two to crawl in my head and kick them out cause I could have sworn Nala said 'we'.

"Yeah Simba. We are going to be learning water bending from my Grandpa Paku today." She said with a beaming smile. For some reason, Nala's smile always is able to make me not feel shocked or anything. It is like her smile is some kind of magical spell and I was trapped by it.

"Watch out Simba. My little sister will freeze you , or anyone next to her when she tries to aim for something across the way." Tojo said as he chuckled.

"I can vouch for that." Said Chumvi who smirked. I knew he was remembering all the times he messed with Nala and hit Tojo instead.

"Simba doesn't have to worry about that cause he, unlike you two." She said as she licked my cheek which caused me to stiffen like Rafiki's stick. My body started to feel hot and my mind started to wander about Nala. Why did she just lick my cheek? And why does my cheek feel so warm because of it? These thoughts took control of my mind, until Paku cleared his throat.

"Well cubs. Welcome to the Northern Water District." Said Paku and the cubs, even I gasped at what I saw.

The plains still had grass, but the grass and the leaves of the trees were all covered with a layer of shining dew drops. There were also numerous waterholes and glistening waterfalls, which had myriads of delicious fish swimming in them. I spotted several cubs around the pools ,who were raising everything from pillars of ice, to geysers of steam, and even bubbles of water. Paku once again cleared his throat and got all of our attention from a nearby pool he was standing near.

"Simba and Nala, come here. The rest of you stay over there, where I can keep an eye on you." Nala and I quickly left the group and joined the master.

*Paku*

"Now then, first my students tell me what is water?" I saw both of them look at each other with a smile on each of their faces and I could already tell what they were thinking. Probably what I first thought during my first lesson, this will be like a swim in the water hole. Oh how wrong they are.

"The flowing element, the element of change." Simba and Nala said in unison.

"Correct. Water is like our emotions, you must let your emotions flow like a river. Let us begin." I then raised my his paws and made a slow spin with them which caused a ball of water to come from the snow. Simba and Nala immediately followed suit and created their own balls. Simba was happy at how the lesson was going since Nala, I assumed had taught him a bit before the lesson. My mind began to wander as I formed the water ball in my paw and with it came the memory of when I first taught her when she was 4 months old.

*Flashback*

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" I heard the shouts of my little gift, my granddaughter Nala and opened my eyes from my rest to see her walking up to me with a grumpy face and soaking wet.

"Sweetheart, what happened?" I pulled her in close to me and nuzzled her consolingly.

"Simba pushed me in the waterhole today. We were wrestling and I managed to pin him down at least 10 times. When we finally stopped to rest,..." She paused and I chuckled because I could already tell what she was going to say.

"So he pushed in the waterhole while you were taking a drink as payback. Right?" I saw her droop her ears and get that grumpy look on her face like the first time her mother told her she couldn't go playing with her brother because she was still too little and might get hurt.

"Yeah. Oh I will so get him back for that one day. But I don't know how. I mean, I can't even control my water bending yet." This was true. Unlike airbending, which just comes from quick and playful actions, water bending takes a more focused approach. However, I know just the thing she could do to make her get even with Simba. No one messes with my granddaughter.

"Well honey, I could teach you a little water bending trick that you could use." I saw her ears perk up and then she began jumping so much that she actually shook herself dry. So much energy she has. How I wish I could go back to those days.

"What is Grandpa? Tell me, tell me. Please?" I rolled my eyes when I saw her use her mother's old 'Please' face. I made a sound of mock amusement.

"Well.. when you ask like that, I guess I will." I saw her start doing a little victory dance and then gave her a look that said to watch closely, and she stood still but had the same eager cub smile on her face. I raised my paw and gave it a little twist and from the little pool I was resting by came a tiny water sphere. "This Nala, is the water sphere. The one of the most basic of water bending skills." I saw her eyes sparkle with that beautiful cub astonishment. Her claws had unsheathed, which is a sure sign she was ready to try.
"Ready to have a go?"

"Yeah Grandpa! What do I do?" She had more excitement in her voice now. But from whether it was learning water bending or being able to use this against Simba, I could not tell.

"To do this, all you have to do is see the water roll into a sphere and then you pull up," I began slowly pulling up my left paw, "then you give it a slow twist," I twisted my paw in a circle, "and there is your water sphere."

"I did it Grandpa!" My ears perked and I stopped focusing on my paw I used for teaching and saw my Nala did indeed have a water sphere in her paw. I walked up to her and gave her a lick on the forehead. I was surprised to say the least, but excited with my little prodigy. Nala had used her first water bending technique and she did it so easily. She had a lot of potential. I then heard her whine and I already knew what was coming.

"Grandpa! This mushy stuff isn't good for my image." I chuckled at how much she reminded me of Sarafina. Her mother never liked being seen as a pampered sweet little girl, but as a tough little warrior. Nala appears to be no different.

"Your friends aren't here sweetie and I was just congratulating you." I nuzzled her forehead and heard a purr com from her in appreciation.

"Oh alright. Thanks for teaching me Grandpa." She sighed with annoyance because she knew I was always going to be mushy with her and yet, she does not how much more mushy I will be as she gets older.

*End Flashback*

I chuckled as I recalled the memory and of how afterwards I heard that Nala had blasted Simba with that same move, into his mother's paws while he tried to escape his bath. She kept coming for lessons every couple days and I still enjoyed their company. I shook my head to clear my mind and focused on Simba and Nala.

"Good. Now thrust it towards your opponent." I then thrust my ball at Nala who blocked it and held it in place. I made another one and thrust it towards Simba who did the same as Nala but a little bit slower.

"Good now you must make a pillar of water rise from the pool." I then began raising my front paws up and down with my pads facing the sky. Slowly a pillar of water began to rise.

The cubs followed suit and did as I bade. Nala's pillar rose and then she showed off a bit and raised another one. Simba also raised his own pillar but then took one paw and began rotating it back and forth which caused his pillar to start spinning like a water tornado and become a bit larger. He certainly does have a good feel for it! I thought as I watched Simba. But I also saw a cocky smile on Simba's face and thought of when Mufasa beat 5 fire benders just to show he could and thought of the one word that described both him and his son in both instances, Showoff.

"Very good you two. Now then, let us try ice." I instructed. I thrust my left paw in front of me, then clenched it to finally causing four pillars of ice to rise from the snow.

Nala immediately followed my lead and called forth six pillars of solid ice around her. Then, Simba tried but when he attempted it the snow only slightly rose and then fell again. He tried again and the result was the same as the first. On the third try, Simba managed to have one pillar of ice form but it quickly shattered. He then crumpled to the ground .The poor cub must be exhausted. But I had expected this to happen, I figured Simba would do good with maybe one or two of his lessons and would definitely showoff, but still I feel for the young cub and his look of disappointment when he couldn't make the water freeze like Nala did. Does he feel that way cause he can't or is it because Nala could?. I chuckled as I thought of the latter and I recalled how my own sister always seemed to be better than me at water bending. Oh well, he will learn like I did.

"Why don't we take a break?" I said as I looked at Simba, who nodded in response through his deep breathing. I then walked off to find some food for the cubs.

*Nala*

"Simba are you alright?" I asked as the other cubs gathered around.

"Yeah I am ok. Just a little frustrated." He said with a sigh and looked at his paws.

"What's wrong bro?" asked Kopa who placed a paw on Simba's shoulder. who quickly shrugged it off.

"I bet it is because Nala far exceeded his skills." Said Tojo with a chuckle until he saw me give him a glare to get him to SHUT UP! He knows better than to make jokes when others are frustrated, especially with Simba when I am around. KINGS ABOVE HELP HIM!

"Tojo! Don't be mean to Simba. He did pretty well " Said Kula who nuzzled Simba's other shoulder.

"Thanks Kula. The truth is I am frustrated I couldn't make some stupid pillars of ice. I mean I did the ball and tower of water just fine, why can't I understand ice?" Simba said with an agitated tone and brought his paws to his head.

"Simba. I have an idea. Follow me." I said while walking to another part of the district. The other cubs followed, but I noticed Simba wasn't following. Simba was looking off in the direction Grandpa had went. I already knew what he was going to say next as he turned to me.

"You want to play hooky?" Simba asked since he knew we were supposed to stay put, but I knew he never does what he is told. He is so predictable .

"But what if Paku finds out?" Kula has always been one for the rules, but even she can be convinced to bend them when I use the right words. Hopefully this is one of those times.

"I am sure he won't find out, Ku. Heck, even if he does find out, he will probably let us off if it helps with his water bending. Come on." I pleaded and gestured with my paw for them to follow. Simba smirked and joined the group while Kula giggled at Simba and ran along with us. The group followed me until we saw a group of two lionesses and a tawny lion with a brown mane lying by a pool of water.

"Mom! Dad! Gran Gran! " Said Tojo simultaneously with me, while we rushed forward and nuzzled our parents and grandmother.

"Nala, Tojo. It is good to see you and your friends, but where is your grandfather? You are supposed to be with him." asked Sarafina as she looked for Grandpa.

"Well um… you see.." I said with a nervous tone.

"Let me guess: you left without him?" Said Gran Gran with a smile. I nodded in reply.

"Why did you leave your grandfather? He must be worried sick and he will be very disappointed with you for skipping his lessons." Said Dad , Ni, with a stern tone. My dad might look and act a little scary with his rogue history, but when it comes to me and Tojo, he has the playfulness of a cub. Best of all, he never hesitates to wrestle with me or Tojo. He is truly the best Dad I could ask for.

"Daddy, please understand. We came here because I thought mom and Gran Gran could give Simba some advice."

"Advice with what?" asked my mother curiously.

"Mom, Simba is having trouble bending water into ice. I thought you could help." I explained hopefully.

"Of course! Simba, why don't you tell me what your problem is?" My mom said with a knowing smile. My mom and I think a lot alike, hence why I love spending time with her when Dad is off patrolling the Water Pride borders.

"It is just I focus on the water becoming ice and at first it works. But then the next thing I know it breaks itself apart and turns back into water. I don't understand it." Simba said with a sigh.

"I think I know what his problem is. Sarafina do you mind if I talk to him?" asked Gran Gran with a chuckle.

"But of course Mother."

"Simba come here." Gran Gran instructed with a paw pointing next to where she lay. Simba followed her instruction and laid down. I also came and lay down on her other side.

*Simba*

"What now?" I asked still curious and confused as to what this elderly non bender can teach me about water bending.

"Simba, look into the water." She said this in a kind tone that was like my own grandmother's and yet I was confused as to what looking in the water could teach me.

"Why?"

"Please look!"

I did as I was told and looked into the pool where there was only two fish circling each other in the water. One was as dark as the night sky and the other, was as white as the snow.

"What do you see?" asked Gran Gran.

"I see two fish. One black and one white."

"And what are they doing?"

"They are circling each other."

"And…" Gran Gran insisted with a shake of her paw.

"And what? They are just two fish circling each other."

"Simba you are missing the point."

"Which is?" I asked with a raised eyebrow at the old lioness.

"That they continue doing so but they never fully touch."

"What is the significance of that?"

"What else do you know that does that?" she asked.

"Well there is the sun and the moon."

"And water Simba. Water does the same thing. Do you know what these fish are?"

"No?"

"They are yin and yang, light and shadow, good and evil, push and pull,but to us water benders and water pride members they are the ocean and moon spirits. It is because of their lessons that we can bend the crystal liquid of life."

"What lesson can they teach me about my problem?"

"When water flows, there is push towards one direction and a pull in the other direction. Fish learn to swim not by learning how to fight the current, but how to work with it." She stopped and then raised her paw to Sarafina for her to continue.

"With us water benders, we bend water by doing the same thing. We pull the water in the direction we want and then push it the direction it should go. Or in defense against another water bender, if a water pillar is coming at you then you pull the water that way and then push it back that your opponent. You get it?" Sarafina explained.

"I think so." I said while scratching my ear with my paw.

"Then what is the solution to your problem?" Gran Gran asked.

"I pull up the water, but I don't push it together,so it just turns back into water." I answered with a smile as I realized my mistake.

"Very good Simba." Said Sarafina who licked my ear in praise.

"So you ready to try again Simba?" asked Nala as she got up and padded up to me.

"Yeah, I'll get it this time."

All of a sudden a pile of mud as large as my dad landed on the two of us. We sputtered as we spat the mud out of our mouths and then looked to see Tama and the boys Chumvi and Tojo laughing their butts off at us.

"Nice shot Tama!" said Tojo who was clutching his gut with his paw.

"Looks like you two need a bath." said Chumvi as he laughed.

Nala began to glare at them for getting her dirty and I was panicking because I Really did not like baths. But then, a funny idea came to my mind about payback. I began waving my paws and made a pillar of muddy water rise and then pushed it at the laughing cubs that soon became drenched in filth. Nala gasped at what I did and then laughed with me as we saw they were in the same situation as us.

"Simba that was so not cool" said Tojo.

"Watch it Twinkle toes! I could easily chuck a rock at you next time." Said Tama with a glare from her unseeing eyes. How she managed that, I may never know!

"Hey Nala do you think they need a bath?" I said with a smirk.

"Why yes Simba I do." Said Nala with an identical smirk. I swear, I have to come up with a more signature Simba smirk cause if Nala can imitate it so well then I really need to up my game.

"Oh no!" said Tojo who sprang up and then all three of them said "RUN!"

Nala used her skills to catch her brother and Chumvi with a wave of water but Tama was a problem. She was using her earth bending to move the earth where she could avoid Nala just in time. I then gave it a try. I shot a ball of water at Tama and just as Tama was about to bend, I pulled my paws apart to make the water scatter and as it covered her I pushed my paws together again which formed ice around the struggling cub.

"Nice job Simba! You did it!" said Nala in a congratulatory tone.

"Thanks Nala! So, if we are to celebrate, how about we give these three a bath?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. I noticed all three cubs were panting with fear. This is going to be fun! I haven't had this much fun messing with the others in a while. I will need to savor this like my dad he savors his 'special time' with mom. I don't know exactly what it is and yet the mere thought makes me shudder. This also makes me shudder, but with anticipation and not disgust.

"I think we should." Nala said.

We both used our water bending to pull the water over to the trio. Nala then began moving the water above each of their heads.

"Time to make you squeaky clean." I said.

1) Favorite non lion creature in Lion King?

2) Favorite female avatar character?