Three Moving Along

"You wanted to see me, father?" Chan knelt before the throne, looking up at Zuko.

"Why did you not take the opportunity to study with Master Haku?" Zuko asked. Chan flushed.

"I don't think he is worthy to teach me…or Kano." Chan said quickly.

Zuko rose, and stepped down to the floor. "You gave up an opportunity to broaden your talents because you were embarrassed. The Fire Lord cannot be so childish, Chan."

Chan stiffened. Zuko walked around his son. "You must be open to new events and experiences. The Fire Nation way is not the only way. I gained my firebending talent from my uncle, and from those that I now call my friends."

Chan looked up. "I'm sorry, father." He said. "Should I take a balloon and follow them?"

Zuko shook his head, and ascended the throne. "You will continue your studies with the palace masters, and then train with your brother when he returns in a few months."

Chan bowed his head, inwardly seething. Study with that boy? He is not…and never will be…my equal! My destiny is to rule, you old fool! "Thank you father."

Zuko resumed his throne. "You are dismissed, Chan."

The prince bowed once more, then rose and left the throne room, angrily storming to his suite.

He stopped outside his door, looking at the maid who froze in the act of watering the plants that lined the halls of the palace. He smirked coldly at the terrified look in her eyes. "I will expect you in my bedchamber tonight."

The maid started to shake, but mastered herself, and bowed. "Yes, my prince." She said resolutely.

Kano and Sora stood on top of hill, the cool breeze rustling around them. Sora led Kano slowly through a basic set of airbending techniques. "Your stance is too heavy." She said. "It should be more like this…see?" She dropped into the stance that Kano was poorly imitating.

"I see you, and I know what I'm doing…" Kano lost his balance, and fell on his rear. "What am I doing wrong?"

"You're thinking like a firebender." Sora said. "You have to let that go, and embrace airbending with an open mind." She sat next to him. "Let's take a break, first."

Kano nodded eagerly. He rolled on his stomach, and stared down the hill where Haku was moving through a strange series of firebending moves, the flame arcing gracefully around like a dance.

"What's that?" He wondered aloud.

Sora flopped beside him. "Oh, that's Haku's Dancing Dragon. Maybe he'll teach you one of these days."

"The Dancing Dragon?" Kano asked. "That sounds familiar."

Sora looked at him. "Well, aside from Haku, only the Fire Lord and the Avatar know the technique. They learned it at the ruins of the Sun Warrior civilization."

"So Avatar Aang taught Haku?"

Sora looked away. "Sure." She agreed quickly. She pushed herself up. "Let's get back to work."

Kano groaned. "Maybe it would help if you explain how I'm supposed to move like an airbender."

Sora looked at him. "You just want to get out of work, don't you?" She sat back next to him. "Well, it's kind of hard to explain, its just something I do." Sora laid back, staring up at the clouds. "Airbending is…well, have to let yourself bend like a willow. You never root yourself and face something head-on, you have to learn to see other ways of attack."

Kano nodded. "Okay. I'm not sure that helped, but okay."

"He has turned down our offer." The Fire Speaker said softly. "I sent a messenger to him, and he refused."

The Water Speaker nodded. "We cannot give up on the Fire Lord. The entire plan hinges on him."

The Earth Speaker rose. "Yes, stage two cannot proceed without the Fire Lord. But we must set stage three in place for the inevitable moment when he realizes this will benefit the world."

The Earth Speaker gestured, and a dozen servants entered the room, each wearing full body robes that obscured their faces. Each lined behind the nation whose color they bore.

"These are our top agents." The Water Speaker commented.

The Fire Speaker settled into his seat. "Their arrival will activate the sleepers. Stage three will be ready, and the world will be on the brink of salvation."

The Earth Speaker raised his arms, and three doors in the triangular room opened. "Go forth, and fulfill your tasks. For the glory of the Empire of the Holy Flame!"

The twelve servants chorused. "Hail the Phoenix King!"

Zuko sat alone in his study, returning once again to the trade agreement. He finally nodded. The new changes were acceptable, and he signed his name to it. Setting his quill aside, Zuko suddenly sat upright, a familiar scent wafting through the air.

"Is that you?" He asked. Zuko rose, and left his study in a rush. "Where are you?" He stared down the hall, certain that fragrance had been there…the one that brought the snow to mind.

He shook his head, and laughed at his own foolishness. "I am getting old." He closed the door, and went back to work.

A robed figure moved silently through the industrial district. He stopped in a darkened corner, and waited. Soon, a short, thin man hobbled down the street, and stopped.

"Are you the one?" The robed figure asked.

The old man nodded. The figure stepped out of the shadows, and removed a large sack of money. "Is this enough?"

Again, the old man nodded, and took the sack, fishing a small leather case from his shirt. The robed figure accepted it, and the old man staggered off.

The robed figure carefully scanned the contents of the case, then slipped it under his cloak, and hurried off.

Kano moved through the set, using a long, smooth stick as a staff to keep his balance.

Sora sat with Haku, chewing on some jerky. She gestured at the prince. "I think he's getting it."

"He should. You've practically been torturing him this whole time."

Sora poked Haku, annoyed. "Hey, you said I get to teach him. So what if I'm not as nice as my Dad?"

"I was a bad influence on you, wasn't I?" Haku asked.

Kano finished the set, and turned toward them, panting with a proud look on his face.

Sora grinned at him. "Not bad, Firefly…but do it again. I want to make sure you've got it before I teach you some more."

"Oh, come on!" Kano exclaimed. He looked at Haku, who shrugged, and frowned. "Fine!"

Kano started, spinning around his staff, barely controlling the centrifugal force that fueled airbending. Unaware he was doing it, he began to firebend, his flames spreading through the air in slices as he swung his staff.

Behind him, Sora leaned back. "Okay, that's not bad. He should have learned enough by the time we reach the Northern Air Temple."

Haku smiled slightly. "I wonder how he'll take to hang-gliding."