Now Aang was back with Appa. That meant one big difference… They had air support! Which meant they could send someone out there to re-direct their friends to Omashu.
It was quickly decided it was going to be Sokka as Sokka was the one best at handling Appa aside from Aang himself.
As for Aang… For him it was back to training!
And heck now Bumi could even give him a few personal lessons to see how far Aang had gotten in his earth bending. Which resulted in Aang being tossed around quite a bit.
From what Zuko could gather watching Bumi's earth bending was that it was quite possible more powerful than Toph's but he was less refined!
Toph was a master in waiting for just the right second and take down her opponent using just a pebble, she was smart in her earth bending.
Bumi was more excessive… Still getting a smaller mountain hurled at your head still was kind of terrifying.
It was made clear though. The big arena was free to use and Zuko didn't have to worry at all about scorching anything by accident or break some boulders or just make a great mess.
….. Excellent.
"MORE FORCE INTO IT AANG!" Zuko shouted. "You already know the moves! I've seen you do them to perfection. So stop holding back!"
"But…" Aang tried.
At that Zuko lifted his foot and then he swung around a small flame appearing as he kicked a boulder and the boulder smashed into pieces.
Aang gaped as he looked at it. "Whaaat…"
"That is what you can do if you put your all into it!" Zuko stated. "So do it!"
"I'm sorry! I just feel… A little exposed. For how long are those guys going to keep watching?!" Aang asked.
Zuko sighed and then turned to look up at the high balcony above the arena where Jee and the entire former crew of the Wani was casually looking down at them. Curiously observing their lesson.
Then Zuko shook his head. "Aang. You can't be worried about people looking when you are in a fight! Just ignore them. It doesn't matter."
"It's just… A little weird." Aang whispered.
Zuko sighed as he lowered his head then he looked up, a smile gracing his lips.
"Zuko?" Aang asked.
"HEY! JEE!" Zuko shouted up. "If you guys aren't doing anything anyway. Get your butts down here!"
Jee lifted an eyebrow.
"Jee, Zhang, Wiu and Jiao. Down here. Now." Zuko demanded.
Jee shrugged and then the four men in question disappeared, apparently about to make their way down.
"Erhm… Zuko… Who's." Aang tried.
"My old sparring partners." Zuko said.
"What all four of them?" Aang asked.
"Yup." Zuko said.
"But why four. Isn't one enough?" Aang asked.
"Nope." Zuko said.
"Wait… Did you usually take all four on? At the same time?!" Aang asked.
At that Zuko grinned down at Aang.
And Aang gulped as the four men finally made it into the arena and walked towards the two.
"Prince Zuko." Jee finally bowed in their usual respectful way.
"Lieutenant Jee." Zuko bowed back in the same way. "I was wondering if you would help me give the Avatar a little demonstration." he said.
"Well. I will admit as one of your tutors I am rather curious to see how you have progressed Prince Zuko." Jee said.
Zuko smirked. "I hope you haven't become rusty, spending all those months in prison."
"Hard labour camp Prince Zuko." Jee replied. "I assure you. Nobody here has grown lazy nor fat."
Zuko nodded. "Get ready." he asked and the others nodded as they started to spread out and take different positions, some taking off their shirts and Zuko turned to Aang.
"Okay. I want you to watch this closely. You're up next!" Zuko said. "With opponents now on four sides you have to be really aware of all movements going on and this time it is in your best interest to stay in position. So when fire comes for you do not dodge. Block!" he said. "As always stance and footwork! If you fall down in this situation you are done!"
Aang nodded as he gulped and then Zuko stepped into the middle of the four man circle which had now been created inhaling deeply.
And then the first jet of fire came. Quick and seemingly out of no-where. Zuko held up a hand and it vanished. Blocked.
Then the next one came and ones again Zuko blocked not even moving from the spot, one came from behind and Zuko twirled around making a kick that dispelled the fire.
Jee smirked. "He's not out of shape." he said. "So let's not hold back."
"Watch closely Aang!" Zuko shouted. "You're next! We'll swap places when I am done! And no you wont be allowed to use any other bending that fire bending. That would be cheating, obviously."
Barely had Zuko finished talking as two fireballs came from two different sides and Zuko jumped in the air to avoid it, then twirled into the air and kicked a fireball back, the next came and Zuko dispelled then Jee send a big fireball right at Zuko.
Only for Zuko to grab the fireball, twirl and throw it back at Jee who's eyes widened in deep surprise and barely did he manage to cross his arms for a block that only send him flying backwards and down on the ground.
Then the next soldier went down as Zuko kicked him in the stomach, and the other two went down as Zuko ducked to avoid one, swept the legs away from the other one and finally grabbed the hand of the last one swinging him over his shoulder and then… There was four fire nation soldiers laying on the ground groaning.
Zuko gaped. "Are you guys okay?!" he asked frightened. "What happened?! You usually don't go down like this! And so quick."
"Prince Zuko with all due respect." Jee groaned. "No we have not gotten weaker. You just…" he groaned again. "Since when can you throw fire back at people?" he asked as he sat up.
"Oh erhm… Sorry. Yeah I learned that more recently." Zuko remembered.
"You barely even fire bended sir." Another soldier pointed out. "I was waiting for you to fire bend more!"
"Oh yeah… I found that being more sparse with fire bending and just use it when needed pays off better." Zuko admitted.
"Zuko has made it a point not to rely on fire bending!" Aang said.
"Okay…. Why?" Jee asked.
"Because that's a mistake." Zuko said. "Fire bending is dangerous and unforgiving. And it should not be our go to solution. Only a last resort! It is better to rely on other abilities and have fire bending to fall back on. Instead of relying on relying on fire bending to fall back on such things as knife work." he stated. "Just because we all have the ability to burn down a forest doesn't me we should. To use fire bending responsible is a lesson the fire nation has neglected to teach its fire benders for far to long."
"Huh." Jee crossed his legs as he sat up, holding his chin with his hand. "And you came to these conclusions by yourself?"
"Well erhm…. Yeah." Zuko said.
Jee nodded as he crossed his arms.
"What?" Zuko asked.
"It's good seeing you think for yourself, rather than always do what you think your father wants you to do." Jee admitted. "It shows who you really are. Prince Zuko."
"Oh." Zuko realized. "Ahem." he coughed into his hands. "Get up. It's Aangs turn now." he said.
"Zuko are you sure that…." Aang asked.
"Positive." Zuko said as he pushed Aang forward. "The people you are most likely to face in battle are fire benders. Whether we like it or not! That you know how to defend yourself against fire benders to me seems like one of the most important things for you to learn at this time." he said. "You can't be afraid of the fire. You need to keep your breath steady and stay rooted to the ground. Don't be afraid of the fire, let it come to you and block." he instructed. "Do like Toph has taught you. Be aware of the things around you and as they attack then you react! I've seen you do it before. You can do this." he said.
And Aang nodded as he took a stance.
"Heh. Helping training the Avatar. Who would have thought?" Jee asked as he scratched the back of his neck. "Hey. Prince Zuko. I know this may not be in my place to say but.."
"Oh. You can say what you want." Zuko assured. "Technically I have been branded for treason and stripped off my title. So it's not like anybody has to address me as Prince or anything."
Jee smirked. "You sure have grown." he said. "Here goes I suppose. I'm proud of you kid."
Zuko blinked honestly deeply surprised.
Jee shook his head. "Must have gotten soft in my old age." he commented. "That or I spend far to much time with General Iroh."
"Iroh tend to have that affect on people." Zuko smirked. "Now! We have a war to fight. A fire lord we are sure to have a confrontation with soon and an Avatar whom still has a lot to learn when it comes to fire bending. Get into position." he said as he took the spot Iroh would usually take overseeing the exercise.
"Oh Monkeyfeathers." Aang sighed but got into position.
"Don't hold back." Zuko smirked. "Aang can take it. Now begin!"