XXX/ Training stop

The day was shining as Appa flew above the mountains. Elsa noticed the sparse trees below them. Glancing at her companions, she saw that Aang seemed to struggle not to fidget or pace in the saddle, even though the crowded space made it difficult. She felt she knew what was troubling him, but thought the discussion from the previous night had been enough to assuage his worries. She then looked at Shyu and saw that he, too, appeared concerned about the young Avatar's demeanor.

She leaned closer to him, her voice gentle. "Aang, what's troubling you?"

The young airbender shifted on the saddle, his brow furrowed with worry. "I need to master all the elements before Sozin's Comet. I haven't even started waterbending, and we're still weeks away from the North Pole. What am I gonna do?"

Katara, sensing her friend's distress, reached out and gently grabbed his arm. "Calm down, it's going to be okay," she said reassuringly, guiding him to sit before her. "If you want, I can try to teach you some of the stuff I know."

Elsa's heart warmed at hearing those words, grateful for Katara's unwavering support for her friend. She watched as Aang's eyes lit up with hope, a smile spreading across his face. "You'd do that?" he asked, his voice filled with gratitude.

The young waterbender nodded, her own smile mirroring her friend's. "Of course, Aang. We're all in this together."

Shortly glancing at Elsa, she added, "Besides, Elsa's lessons have helped me improve my waterbending. I'm confident I can help you for the time being."

Elsa nodded in agreement to the young girl's words, feeling that for basic moves, Katara could help Aang. The young airbender's eyes brightened. "Really? That's so cool!"

The waterbender smiled, glad to see her friend's spirits lifting. The young Avatar's expression shifted, his mind racing with possibilities. "Elsa... maybe you can help us with creating ice that we can use for the lessons," he suggested eagerly.

The young queen hesitated, considering Aang's proposal carefully. "I don't think that's a good idea for the time being," she replied, her tone gentle but firm.

Aang's enthusiasm faltered, confusion evident in his expression. "Why not?" he asked, genuine curiosity coloring his voice.

Sokka chimed in, his grin playful but sarcastic. "Yeah, Katara managed to bend your ice in the temple, and Roku gathered all the ice to strike at the Firebenders. Why can't we do it?"

Shyu nodded in agreement with Sokka's observation, but added, "The Avatar's connection to the elements must have played a role in how he bent Elsa's ice, and I have seen how struggling it was for your sister to waterbend it."

Katara nodded, supporting Shyu's point. "He's right. My bending relies on natural water, and Elsa's ice isn't the same."

Elsa's gaze softened as she explained further. "Considering you are still learning how to master waterbending, it might be more challenging for you to do it on something that isn't natural water."

Shyu and Katara both nodded in agreement. Aang's shoulders slumped slightly, disappointment evident in his demeanor. "Oh, I see..."

Elsa put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't fret. I wasn't sure my ice and snow could be used later, once you have grasped how to bend water. But you need first to learn with the water that already exists before testing your skills on the one created through my powers."

Aang acquiesced and, trying to remain optimistic, asked, "So what's our plan then?"

Katara looked over the side of Appa's saddle. "We'll need to find a good source of water first."

Elsa nodded in agreement with Katara's plan, relieved to see her determination shining through. Sokka grinned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe we can find a puddle for you to splash in."

Everyone chuckled or rolled their eyes at his remark, the tension easing slightly. Aang smiled, feeling more relaxed. "Thanks, everyone. I feel a lot better now."

With a renewed sense of determination, the group settled back into their positions, the wind rushing past them as Appa soared through the sky. As they continued flying, everyone was looking for a water source. Shyu, observing the landscape intently, pointed towards the horizon. "Katara, would that work?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of hope.

As Appa soared through the clear sky, the companions settled into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts. Aang gazed out at the passing landscape, his mind whirling with possibilities and a renewed sense of purpose.

Shyu, who had been scanning the terrain below, suddenly pointed. "Katara, would that place work?" he asked, directing her attention to a gleaming river and a cascading waterfall in the distance.

Katara's eyes widened with excitement as she followed Shyu's gaze. "Yes, that's perfect!" she exclaimed.

Aang's face lit up with enthusiasm. "There we go then! Appa, yip yip!"

The sky bison responded instantly, changing direction and descending towards the river before landing gently on the bank. Aang leaped off and gracefully landed on the ground. Elsa, with a graceful wave of her hand, created icy steps for Shyu, Katara, Sokka, and herself to descend safely from Appa's saddle.

The Fire Sage turned to Elsa, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Seems they're quite enthusiastic," he remarked.

Elsa chuckled. "Indeed," she replied, stepping forward to create her signature icy stairs, allowing them all to descend from Appa's back with ease.

Momo, perched on a nearby rock, watched the scene unfold with wide, curious eyes. As the group reached the riverbank, Aang and Katara stood side-by-side, gazing in awe at the cascading waterfall. Sokka, however, couldn't help but let out a sarcastic remark as he crossed his arms, "Nice puddle."

His comment was met with a playful nudge from Katara. Elsa, suppressing a smile at their interactions, admired the vast lagoon before them.

Appa, eager to cool off, flew down into the river, creating a huge splash that soaked everyone and almost knocked Momo off the rock he was perched on. The sky bison turned over and floated on his back, enjoying the water.

Aang, already taking off his shirt and grinning, yelled, "Yeah! Don't start without me, boy!" He began to run towards the river.

Shyu was a bit bemused and looked with some fondness at the young airbender while Elsa watched Aang's enthusiasm, a flicker of concern crossing her features. As good as it was to see him enjoying himself, their mission was serious.

Katara, catching Elsa's glance, mirrored her concern. "Remember the reason we're here, Aang," she reminded him gently.

Shyu nodded in agreement. "Your friend is right."

The young boy stopped short, looking back at Katara, Shyu, and Elsa with a sheepish grin. "Oh right. Time to practice waterbending." He quickly put his clothes back on.

Sokka crossed his arms and asked sarcastically, "Great. So, what am I supposed to do?"

The young airbender handed him a branch with a bushel of leaves at the end. "You could... clean the gunk out of Appa's toes."

Sokka frowned but took the stick. "So, while you guys are playing in the water, I'm supposed to be hard at work picking mud out of a giant bison's feet?"

Aang, smiling cheerfully, replied, "Mud and bugs!"

Elsa stifled a laugh, unable to help but find amusement in his playful antics. But she also realized it was a relevant task as Appa would probably love being free of the dirt and bugs bothering him.

Sokka sighed dramatically but walked over to Appa, who was still floating contentedly in the water. "Okay, okay. Someone's gotta do it."

Aang looked at Elsa and Shyu. "What about you two?"

"I'll watch the lesson. It's always enlightening to see your potential in action," Shyu answered with a kind smile. Elsa acquiesced in agreement.

Katara looked surprised. "I thought you were leaving at the next stop to find that Fire Nation commander."

The Fire Sage acquiesced in understanding. "I do plan to leave soon," he answered, "but it can wait for the time being. Seeing the potential of your friend is important."

Aang beamed at Shyu's words, then turned to Elsa. "What about you, Elsa?"

She smiled gently. "I'll watch how it goes, and if necessary, I'll give you some personal tips that might help."

Aang's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thanks, Elsa!"

Katara also smiled at the young queen. "It's great to have you here with us."

The two children moved to the shore, their feet sinking slightly into the damp ground. Shyu and Elsa positioned themselves nearby, ready to observe.

"This is a pretty basic move, but it still took me months to perfect. So don't get frustrated if you don't get it right away." Katara started to explain as she moved her hands back and forth, making average waves ripple across the water. Aang looked up, smiling.

"Just push and pull the water like this. The key is getting the wrist movement right."

Aang stood up, imitating Katara's hand movements. "Like this?" he asked, but nothing happened yet.

The young waterbender smiled kindly. "That's almost right. If you keep practicing, I'm sure eventually—"

"Hey, I'm bending it already!" Aang exclaimed, showing off much bigger waves than Katara's on his first try.

The young water tribe girl's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, I can't believe you got that so quickly. It took me two months to learn that move."

Elsa and Shyu exchanged impressed glances. The young queen also felt a mixture of pride and concern as she was happy to see that her leçons were starting to bear fruits in Katara's skills, but Aang's quick achievement could bring out the insecurities of the waterbender.

Aang shrugged his shoulders, modestly. "Well, you had to figure it all on your own. I'm lucky enough to have a great teacher."

Katara smiled, appreciating his compliment. "Thanks."

Aang, eager to continue, asked, "So, what's next?"

The young waterbender took a moment to think. "This is a more difficult move. I call it streaming the water." She moved her hands again, raising a stream of water from the river into the air and moving it around. "It's harder than it looks, so don't be disappointed if—"

Before she could finish, Aang was already controlling a stream of water, moving it around and above his body, neatly coiling it back into the river. Katara sighed, a bit dismayed. "Nice work. Though the over-the-head flare was unnecessary."

Aang grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Well, don't stop now! Keep 'em coming!"

Elsa and Shyu exchanged glances, both impressed and slightly amused by Aang's rapid progress, but also noting Katara's blossoming frustration.

The waterbender looked up, contemplating her next move. "Well, I kind of know this one other move, but it's pretty hard. Elsa's lessons helped me to have a grasp on it, but I am still learning. The idea is to create a big, powerful wave."

She moved her hands up, shaking, and started to get a big mass of water to rise out of the river, but it popped before forming into anything substantial. Aang watched closely, then attempted it himself. "So, like this?" He raised his hands and created a massive wave that towered over their heads.

Elsa and Shyu's eyes widened in surprise, especially as they saw the wave Aang created towering toward Sokka and Appa.

"Aang, be careful!" Elsa called out.

Sokka, still working on cleaning Appa, looked up and stared at the approaching wave in fear. "Aang?!"

The wave crashed down, throwing the young water tribe boy off into the water. His head slowly rose out, dripping and annoyed. Aang, smiling proudly, exclaimed, "Looks like I got the hang of that move! What else do you get?"

Katara, angry at her friend's quick success, snapped, "That's enough practicing for today."

Sokka, his head still sticking out of the water, pointed to the left. "Yeah, I'll say! You just 'practiced' our supplies down the river."

At Sokka's words, the group looked up and watched as their bags floated away. Elsa and Shyu shared concerned looks.

Aang looked guilty as the realization came through his mind. "Uh, sorry. I'm sure we can find somewhere to replace all this stuff."

Sokka, exasperated, muttered, "My life was hard enough when you were just an airbender." He sank back underwater.

Elsa shook her head at the young water tribe boy's antics while being a bit concerned for his sake. She saw Momo gliding towards the location of Sokka and landing on a rock near Appa.

Katara excused herself, needing some time alone. "I need to prepare for our next stop," she said, walking away.

Elsa watched Katara, sensing her frustration. Shyu, noticing as well, asked, "What's troubling her?"

Elsa recalled Katara's struggles with learning waterbending. "She worked so hard to master these moves on her own for years. Seeing Aang learn so quickly must be difficult for her."

Shyu nodded, his wizened face thoughtful. "I can see she is very talented, but Aang is the Avatar. His past lives and their experiences are what gives him an advantage, especially with water and air being so closely related."

Elsa sighed and acquiesced, understanding the complexities. Shyu stood up. "I'll speak with her. She needs encouragement, not competition."

Elsa agreed, watching as Shyu went to find Katara. She turned her attention to Aang, who was torn between pride in his achievements and guilt for the mishap with their supplies.

Aang looked at Elsa with worry. "Did I mess up too badly?"

She offered a reassuring smile. "Mistakes happen. The important thing is to learn from them and be more careful next time."

The young airbender looked relieved. "Thanks. Maybe you can show me some of the control techniques you taught Katara?"

Elsa smiled. "I'd be happy to."

Aang's face lit up with excitement. "Cool! I can't wait to learn from you too!"

She nodded, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and anticipation. "When would you like to start?"

"Katara said our lessons are on break today, so we can start whenever," he answered as he glanced where he made his first lesson in waterbending.

Elsa raised an eyebrow, amused. "Alright, but first, we should check on Sokka. He took quite a hit with that wave."

Aang's eyes widened with realization. "Oh, right! Sokka!" He called out, "Sokka, are you okay?"

Elsa watched the water's surface, her keen eyes scanning for any sign of movement. After a few tense moments, Sokka's head emerged from the water, coughing and sputtering.

"Thank goodness," Elsa murmured, her shoulders relaxing in relief.

Aang dashed to the water's edge, his concern palpable. "Sokka, are you okay?"

Sokka, still dripping wet, muttered, "Barely." He wiped the water from his face and glared at Aang. "Could you try not to drown me next time you practice your bending?"

The young airbender's expression turned sheepish. "I'm really sorry, Sokka. I didn't mean to wash away our supplies."

Sokka sighed, his irritation fading. "Yeah, yeah. Just try to be more careful." He looked over at Appa, who was soaked but seemed unbothered. "Well, at least he won't need cleaning anymore."

Aang followed Sokka's gaze and laughed. "Yeah, I guess that's one way to wash him."

Elsa smiled softly at the interaction while chuckling at Sokka's humour and was glad that Aang wasn't feeling low anymore. His bouncing back reminded her a bit of Anna and a part of her couldn't her but think once again that they would bond easily. "Alright, Aang. Let's see if we can salvage some of our supplies, and then we can start with those control techniques."

Aang nodded eagerly. "Sounds good!"

They began searching along the riverbank, scanning for anything that might have washed ashore. Elsa, with her keen eyes, carefully observed the area, her steps light and graceful over the rocks. Aang, meanwhile, used his airbending to lift and shift debris, hoping to uncover something useful. Sokka, still dripping wet, waded along the water's edge, muttering under his breath about waterbending mishaps, but also looking for the missing supplies.

Despite their efforts, the search was fruitless. As they returned to Appa, Aang's shoulders slumped with guilt again.

"Hey, it's okay," Elsa reassured him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We can manage with what we have. And remember, this is all part of learning. Mistakes help us grow."

The young airbender looked up at her, a small smile forming and his eyes brightening slightly. "Thanks, Elsa. I really want to learn how to control my bending better."

Elsa smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Don't worry, I'll help you with some ways to handle your gifts."

Sokka chimed in. "Yeah, that would be cool not to be drenched every time."

Elsa shook her head in amusement at the sarcasm of the Water tribe boy while Aang looked sheepish.

As they arrived back at the shore, Sokka wandered off to check on their remaining supplies while Elsa and the young Avatar made their way to the spot where Katara and he had achieved their first lesson. Once they reached the clearing, Elsa turned to her friend, her expression serious yet kind. "Are you ready to listen and learn?"

Aang nodded vigorously, his enthusiasm palpable. "Absolutely!"

Elsa chuckled at his eagerness. "Good. Do you remember how my powers work?"

Aang nodded, thinking back to the times he had seen Elsa in action. "Yeah, you have mentioned that it came from you and that your emotions affect them. When you're calm and happy, you can do amazing things, but when you're scared or angry, it gets a little... wild."

Elsa's eyes softened with a hint of pride. "That's right, Aang. My powers are deeply tied to my emotions and my intentions. Fear and anger can make them uncontrollable, while love and confidence give me the precision I need."

The young airbender leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "So, it's about controlling your emotions and focusing them into your bending?"

Elsa smiled, impressed by his insight. "That's right. My emotions play a big role in how I control my powers. It's similar to bending, in a way. You need to find balance within yourself."

There was a moment of silence as the young Avatar absorbed her words. Elsa then commented, "You know, you remind me a bit of Anna."

Aang's eyes widened with curiosity. "Really? How?"

Elsa's gaze softened with fondness as she thought of her sister. "Both of you are very optimistic and always believe in the best in people. You are also full of energy and determination, just like her, and incredibly resilient, always bouncing back from setbacks with a positive attitude."

Aang smiled, feeling a connection to Anna through her words. "She is really amazing your sister."

"She is," Elsa agreed. "And thinking about her helps me stay calm and focused. Maybe you can find something or someone that grounds you, too. It can help you fuel your bending through your emotions and mind."

Aang nodded thoughtfully. "I think I understand. I'll try to find that balance within myself."

Elsa smiled, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "That's right. If you want to bring balance to your world, you need to first build that balance within you."

Aang acquiesced again with a smile, but Elsa noticed a quick sobering reaction in his eyes. She wondered what her words had reminded him of in a sad way. Before she could ask, he bounced back with his usual enthusiasm.

"So, what do we do next?" he asked, his eyes bright with anticipation.

Elsa pondered for a moment before deciding to start with something simple yet effective. "How about we start with what you know and what you showed during your lesson with Katara? Display your airbending and waterbending without letting your enthusiasm get to your head."

Aang looked a bit sheepish but nodded. "Okay, I'll try."

Elsa explained, "The idea is to channel your excitement into your bending, but not let it control you. We'll begin with airbending. Show me how you can create and maintain a simple air current."

The young Avatar took a deep breath and raised his hands, creating a gentle, swirling breeze around them. His movements were smooth and controlled, but Elsa could see the flicker of eagerness in his eyes.

"Good, Aang," Elsa praised. "Now, keep that breeze steady. Don't let it become too strong or too weak. Imagine you're playing with the wind, guiding it gently."

Aang focused, his movements becoming more fluid. The breeze remained steady, and Elsa could see he was getting the hang of it. She smiled, feeling proud of his progress.

"Great job. Now let's move on to waterbending. Show me the moves you learned with Katara, but remember to keep your excitement in check."

Aang nodded and moved to the water's edge. He began with the push-and-pull motion, creating gentle waves in the river. He then moved on to streaming the water, lifting a stream into the air and guiding it around him.

Elsa watched closely, noticing how his enthusiasm sometimes caused the water to surge too high or waver. She gently reminded him, "Keep your focus, Aang. Imagine the water as an extension of yourself, flowing smoothly and steadily."

Aang took a deep breath, calming himself. The stream of water became more controlled, moving gracefully around him. Elsa nodded in approval.

"Excellent, Aang. You're doing very well," she encouraged. "Remember, it's not just about power; it's about control and balance."

Aang smiled, his confidence growing. "Thanks, Elsa. I feel like I'm starting to get it."

She chuckled softly. "You're doing great. Just keep practicing, and you'll find that balance within yourself."

As Aang continued to practice, the young queen couldn't help but think of Anna again. Her sister's boundless energy and unwavering optimism had always been a source of strength for her. She hoped that Aang could find something similar within himself as it would help him navigate the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, Shyu found Katara by the riverbank, organizing their remaining belongings. She was methodical, but her movements were tense, betraying her frustration. She glanced up when Shyu approached.

"Can I help?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Katara hesitated, then nodded. "Sure, thanks." She handed him a bundle of clothes to fold.

They worked in silence for a few moments before Shyu spoke again. "You know, it's impressive how much you've learned on your own."

The young waterbender looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and skepticism. "Thanks, but it doesn't feel that way right now."

Shyu folded a shirt carefully. "I understand. Seeing Aang pick things up so quickly must be difficult. But remember, he's the Avatar. His abilities are enhanced by his past lives, especially with water and air being so closely related."

Katara sighed, her hands pausing in their work. "I know that, but it's still hard. I spent years learning what he did in minutes."

Shyu nodded, listening intently. "It's natural to feel frustrated. But that doesn't diminish your achievements. You've done something extraordinary, Katara. Learning to waterbend without a teacher, persevering through all the challenges—you should be proud."

Katara looked away, blinking back tears. "I just... I wanted to be the best waterbender. Now I feel like I'm not good enough. Elsa's lessons helped me understand the connection between my emotions and my bending. I thought I was making progress, but..."

Shyu placed a gentle hand on hers. "Patience. Progress isn't always linear. I don't know how much you were able to bend water before I met all of you, but I can see that you are very talented and invested. Don't let Aang's progress make you feel less."

Katara considered his words, a flicker of understanding warming her heart. She took a deep breath, then nodded. "Thanks, Shyu. I needed to hear that."

He smiled gently. "Anytime. Remember, Aang's success doesn't take away from yours. I can feel you're an incredible bender, and you've achieved so much already."

Katara smiled, a bit more at ease. "I guess you're right. It's just hard to remember that sometimes."

He nodded, then looked out over the river. "It's important to acknowledge the past but don't let it overshadow your present. You've come so far, and you'll only continue to grow."

Katara took another deep breath, feeling a sense of calm return. "I'll try to remember that. And thank you for helping with the supplies."

Shyu chuckled softly. "It's my first time handling them, but I'm glad to be of service."

They worked together in companionable silence, folding clothes and organizing the supplies. The sound of the river flowing beside them was soothing, and Katara felt her frustration ebbing away.

Once they finished, Shyu asked, "Do you want to go back now?"

Katara glanced back at the shore, where she could see Elsa and Aang. "Yeah, let's head back."

They stood up and walked back to the shore, where they saw Elsa and Aang in deep conversation. Elsa was guiding Aang through a lesson on managing his emotions for better bending control.

Katara watched Elsa with Aang, her expression a mix of admiration and contemplation. Shyu noticed and commented, "She's really good at helping him understand his emotions. It's a different kind of teaching, but it reminds me a bit of what my grandfather told me about Avatar Roku."

Katara nodded, thinking about the lessons Elsa had been giving her since Kyoshi Island. "Yeah, she is. She's helped me a lot to understand the connection between my emotions and my bending has made a big difference."

Shyu smiled. "In that case, both you and Elsa would be able to help him with his waterbending until you reach the North Pole. You have the skills and experience that can guide him."

Katara considered this, feeling a sense of renewed purpose. "You're right. I can do that."

She turned to Shyu, her expression thoughtful. "Do you really have to leave us?"

The Fire Sage's face grew serious. "I do. Other steps must be taken to bring peace back, and that can't be done without people from my nation."

Katara looked conflicted. "I understand, but we'll miss you."

Shyu placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. If everything goes right, you might see me someday."

Katara nodded slowly. "Do you think this commander will really help us?"

Shyu's eyes were filled with conviction. "I believe he will."

As they approached Aang and Elsa, the latter noticed their return. "Is everything alright?" the queen of Arendelle asked, subtly referring to her friend's earlier frustration.

The young waterbender nodded. "Yes, everything's fine. Thanks to Shyu."

The Fire Sage smiled and added, "Katara's doing great."

Elsa acquiesced glad that her young friend was now less unhinged by the ease with which Aang could waterbend.

Just then, Sokka approached, a look of determination on his face. "When are we leaving to buy new supplies?"

Aang and Katara looked at Elsa, waiting for her decision. The young queen exuded a calm authority. "We'll leave at first light tomorrow."

Everyone nodded in agreement, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and unity. Katara glanced at Aang, then at Shyu, and finally at Elsa. She felt a wave of gratitude for the people around her, knowing that they were all in this together, each contributing in their own way to the quest for peace and balance.