Four years later Aang was practicing his firebending in the yard. Azulon watched the young air nomad punch and wave his arms about. Aang smiled as he threw a colomn of fire in the sky then made it spiral. Azulon nodded at the display in approval and disappointment.
"You have great potential but you have to be ferocious. This is training not a game."
"Yes firelord Azulon," Aang replied.
"One more time and get it right."
Aang punched and kicked throwing large amounts of fire. He made a ring around himself then let it go laughing as he did so. Azulon ducked in the nick of time before he could get burned then glared at the air nomad.
Aang shrunk underneath his heated gaze. "Sorry, Firelord Azulon."
"Go to your room," Azulon ordered.
Aang did what he was told without question. Azulon groaned in irritation. There was no way this air nomad will be able to firebend if he keeps on goofing around. This was the third time he nearly set the place on fire or burned someone. Azulon looked up and saw his eight year old grandson and six year old grandaughter.
"Still having trouble controlling him?" Azula asked.
"He has raw power but he lacks the discipline. At this rate we'll never finish the war."
"How about I take him as a student?"
"You'll have to wait a few more years. You can't teach someone if you don't know yourself."
Zuko walked inside the palace intent on finding the nomad. Aang opened the door as soon as he knocked.
"What's up Zuko?"
"Do you need me to help you train?"
"No offense Zuko but you're not average to say the least."
"I mean like a sparring match or agni kai."
Aang laughed at his friend. "A firebending duel? No thanks."
"Don't act like a coward," a feminine voice said.
Aang and Zuko turned their heads to face Azula who emerged from the shadows.
"You have all the power in the world and you're too scared to use it?"
"I just don't want to hurt him."
"That's the point of the agni kai to assert your dominace."
Azula threw two short streams of fire at the air nomad. Out of sheer instinct Aang side leaped left and right then spun around three times while moving forward. Zuko narrowly avoided the fire with one singeing his sleeve.
"You okay Zuko?" Aang asked as Zuko rapidly patted his sleeve.
"Yeah."
Azula smirked at the two boys. "Aww, isn't that sweet? Showing concern for big brother Zuko aren't you?"
Aang ran his hand through his black hair as he gave a sheepish grin. Zuko on the other hand was fuming.
"I'll give you a burn you should be concerned about," he growled as he lit his hands on fire.
Zuko threw flames at his sister who used her own flames to block. Aang was smart enough to move out of the way so he wouldn't get caught in the crossfire. He watched the two throw and dodge each other's flames trying to get the other to forfeit.
Aang looked back upon feeling a change in the wind. He smiled at Iroh as he walked passed him. Iroh caught Zuko's hand as he was leaning back then put his arm on Azula's chest and pushed them apart.
"Is this a sparring match or an actual fight? If it is the latter then what are you fighting about?"
"Well we were sparring but it turned into an actual fight," Zuko admitted.
Iroh sighed. "Come with me, Aang. You two stay out of trouble."
Aang followed Iroh into the palace. Tadashi was patiently waiting for them to arrive. Upon seeing his father Aang quickly ran up to him and gave him a hug.
"Let us begin your training shall we?"
"Yes Tadashi."
Tadashi looked at Iroh gratefully. "Thank you for watching my son."
Iroh waved a hand down. "Think nothing of it. He was no trouble at all."
"We'll see you later alright?"
Iroh waved as they left then went back in the palace. "He seems like a nice boy albeit a bit more playful than the average firebender kid."
Aang was bouncing and laughing as he followed Tadashi to their home.Tadashi tried to ignore the guilt building up in his stomach. Seeing his child acting his age completely oblivious to his heritage or where he came from weighed on his heart.
"Are you alright dad?" Aang asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Tadashi looked forward to avoid his son's confused stare. He started to think as he watched Aang leap and run in front of him. His innocent child's heart was going to be broken beyond repair when he turns into a teenager. Tadashi opened the door to their house and shoved Aang inside before locking the door again.
"What's wrong Tadashi?"
"I want you to clear your mind."
"What?"
Tadashi sat on the floor with his legs crossed. Aang did what he was told and repeated his actions. He pressed his knuckles against each other and closed his eyes. Aang gently breathed in and out his stomach rising and falling with each breath.
"Now remember, you have to do this in private," Tadashi warned him.
"Why do I have to do this?" Aang asked.
Tadashi went silent for a minute before speaking. "So you can achieve your spiritual self."
Aang put his wrist on his fist with his fingers close together and his hand standing straight up then bowed. "Thank you Tadashi."
Aang ran off to play leaving his guardian alone. Tadashi stood up once his son disappeared then made his way to the royal palace.