Training Montage
With everyone together, they decided to stay in one place for a bit to do some training, and not just the Avatar's.
One morning, bright and early, found Zuko sitting across from his uncle.
"So, why did you want to bring me out here?" Zuko asked. They were at a cliff a fair distance from the rest of the group, likely as a safety precaution.
"With Azula making it her goal to capture both the Avatar and us, it seems it is time I step up your firebending training," Iroh said.
He had, honestly, been a bit disappointed when it seemed Azula had not been a reincarnation. As much as Zuko seemed to have dreaded it, he had hoped if she was one, the change in perspective might sway her against the war as it had Zuko.
Zuko, ready for more training, nodded in agreement.
"However," said Iroh. "Before we begin, I would like to see the new technique you demonstrated in the North Pole." It is long past overdue, but they have been trying so hard to keep our heads down that they'd had no chance to discuss it.
"New technique?" Zuko asked, looking confused.
"What you did with the lightning when you faced Zhao," said Iroh. "The art of bending lightning is a difficult one to master, and few firebenders ever accomplish it. And yet, never before have I seen anyone wield it as you did that night."
"Oh," said Zuko in realization.
He then stood up and backed away a few steps, and summoned lightning to his right hand once again, and he cracked it like a whip before it burned away.
"To be honest, I wasn't even thinking of bending when I did that," Zuko confessed. "I wasn't even thinking about being Zuko. All I could think was how I was Jiang Wanyin, and Zhao was Wen Chao. He was trying to kill me and those I care about once again, and I needed to make him pay."
"Then this ability is fueled by rage and vengeance?" asked Iroh, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"No, not like that," Zuko assured him. "Though, admittedly anger can cause a reaction. But no, it wasn't bending. I was trying to summon Zidian."
"Zidian?" asked Iroh, looking confused.
"Zidian was a spiritual cultivation weapon," Zuko explained. "It was passed down to me from my mother. When inert, it just looks like an amethyst ring, but when activated it takes the form of a whip covered in lightning. Aside from my sword, it was my most used weapon in that life. I forgot I didn't have it anymore. When I used lightning in the North Pole, it was just me trying to use Zidian on instinct."
"Fascinating," said Iroh, looking intrigued. "That implies that bending and cultivation go more hand in hand than I initially realized."
"It wouldn't surprise me. But if you want to theorize, go talk to Ty Lee. She likes studying things like that," Zuko said. He had noticed that he was regaining his cultivation faster than Ty Lee was (something he was more than a little smug about, considering how far ahead she'd been last time). If bending had some sort of similar root to cultivation, it would explain why he seemed to have a headstart over her.
"And you are not harmed when you use this Zidian method?" Iroh asked to be certain. "No burns or electrocution?"
Zuko was thoughtful for a moment before replying. "Like I said, I've mostly been doing it on instinct and I've been safe. But it's something that feels like if I stopped to think about it while I do it, that could change quickly."
Iroh chuckled at that. "Which might make it hard to teach to anyone else," he said. "Perhaps it is best for you to continue 'not thinking' about it when you use the move."
"Well, now I can't do it for a while because that's all I'll think about," Zuko grumbled. He'd just have to hold off using it until he forgot this conversation.
Iroh chuckled again, before standing. "Well then, to distract you, how about I teach you the more common method to summon lightning," he suggested. "And maybe even show you the technique I created to redirect it."
The irked expression fell off Zuko's face and was replaced by an eager grin.
"When do we start?" he asked.
Back near camp, Ty Lee was glad she, Zuko, and Uncle managed to catch up to Team Avatar sooner rather than later.
If they'd delayed any longer she might have been deprived of the entertainment that was Toph's earthbending lessons.
"Knees bent!" Toph said, smacking Aang with his own staff as she prowled around him like a tiger.
"Ow! Hey!" Aang said, straightening up in offense instead of following her instructions.
"I said, bend your fucking knees!" Toph said sharply, whacking him again with an impressive spin of the staff.
"Ow!" yelped Aang, but did as he was told, only this time to be prodded in the back.
"Your posture is shit," Toph told him bluntly, before knocking him over with a stomp of her feet to prove it.
"And I thought Toph had a mouth on her before," Katara commented from where she was sitting next to Ty Lee and TomTom to watch this happen.
"I know, isn't it great," Ty Lee agreed. TomTom seemed to agree as well, given how he laughed every time Aang fell down.
Since regaining her memories of being A-Qing, Toph had become even more blunt and way more liberal with swear words. And while A-Qing had never been formally taught to fight (beyond Xiao Xingchen and, surprisingly, Xue Yang teaching her some self-defense), she had carried a bamboo staff for years both when she was and wasn't blind, and had learned a few tricks from surviving on the streets or just playing around with it that Toph was happy to show off now. Much to Aang's displeasure, since his glider was the only staff around for her to use.
So of course, Mai had to come to ruin her fun by arriving with a new bamboo staff from a fresh stick found in a nearby forest.
"Trade?" she offered, holding the bamboo staff out to her, making sure one end was resting on the ground so Toph could sense what it was.
"I dunno," said Toph, not ready to give up her tool in trying to make Aang blow his top. "I kinda like this one."
"That one's breakable, and harder to replace," said Mai bluntly.
"That's what I've been saying, thank you Mai!" said Aang in relief. But in doing so, he shifted out of the stance Toph had put him in, giving her an excuse to whack him again.
"Instead of causing it damage, I'll just confiscate his staff. No flying until he learns his lesson properly," Mai continued, ignoring Aang's now betrayed expression at her words and Ty Lee's giggles about Lans and their punishments.
Toph, meanwhile, grinned devilishly at her words. "Acceptable," she said handing over the glider and holding out her other hand expectantly. "Gimme."
Mai made the exchange with a knowing look.
When Toph took the bamboo staff, her expression grew interested as she hefted its weight in her hand. "Oh, this is going to be a good teaching tool," she said wickedly.
She then smacked Aang with it when he shifted his posture again to get a better look, making him yelp.
"Ow! Why did that one hit harder?" he asked, as he made himself get back into position while rubbing his side.
Mai didn't answer and instead tossed the glider lightly in her palm, and Ty Lee caught on. "Oh, I get it!" she called over to them. "Your glider was made for you to fly, so it was built to be light. The bamboo, however, is fresh and still full of moisture."
"That's right, Spooklee. In other words, this-" said Toph, holding up her new teaching tool. "-Is way heavier."
Aang audibly gulped and quickly corrected his stance before she could tell him otherwise.
"Thanks, Gloomsome," Toph said to Mai. "I knew I was going to like you."
Mai just smirked and went over to sit by Ty Lee.
At that moment, Yue walked over to their practice area. "Sorry to interrupt," she said. "But have any of you seen Zuko? I haven't seen him all afternoon."
"He and his uncle went that way to do some firebending training, I think," Katara said, pointing in the direction she'd seen them go.
"Whoosh!" TomTom agreed, pushing out his little fists like he was bending a fireball.
"Oh, good," Yue said. "One more question, has anyone seen Sokka?"
That gave all of them pause as they looked around in confusion.
Actually, where was Sokka anyway?
"Sorry, Foo Foo Cuddlypoops," Sokka said to the adorable creature sitting on his head where he was pinned in a hole in the ground. "But we already have Appa, Momo, and the ostrich-horse. Our quota for pets is filled."
Foo Foo Cuddlypoops whined and kneaded his paws into Sokka's head.
"I know, I know, trust me," said Sokka placatingly. "If I could trade the ostrich-horse for you, I would, but apparently that one is a rental and we can't just get rid of it."
Foo Foo Cuddlypoops just started licking at Sokka's ear, making him ticklish while he was in a position where he really couldn't do anything about it.
He really hoped someone found him soon.
A/N Sorry this is late.
Toph getting A-Qing's memories gave her the excuse to say 'Fuck' that we all know she desperately wanted. Aang's in for a heck of a time training with her. Also, for Toph's nicknames for Mai and Ty Lee, I picked Gloomsome and Spooklee.
