The Fire Prodigy {ATLA}

{15}: Letting Go

It took pretty much all of my healing skills, but somehow, I managed to treat Iroh's wound. By the next day, Iroh had finally woken up, not before showing signs of troubling nightmares.

"Uncle... you were unconscious. Azula did this to you. It was a surprise attack," Zuko quickly explained.

"How are you feeling, General?" I asked him.

"Not surprised," Iroh said, stifling a chuckle.

"I made some tea. I hope I made it the way you like it," Zuko said, handing him a cup.

Iroh took it and sipped, before holding back a gag. "Good. That was very ... uhhh... bracing."

I cracked a smile, before taking the cup away and handing him a new one. "I made some tea too."

"Oh, thank goodness," Iroh said, taking the cup gratefully.

"So Uncle, I've been thinking. It's only a matter of time before we run into Azula again. I'm going to need to know more advanced firebending if I want to stand a chance against her. I know what you're going to say: she's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her..." Zuko began.

"Azula?" I snorted. "That girl's completely crazy and she needs to go down."

"I agree. She needs to be stopped," Iroh nodded. "It's time to resume your training. Both of you."

🔥🔥🔥

I was excited to be learning from Iroh like the old times, however, the upcoming lesson had me very nervous. Lightning was one of the strongest forms of firebending, and also, one of the most dangerous. Even the greatest masters knew that one wrong step would be the end of their lives.

"Lightning is a pure form of firebending, without aggression. It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other firebending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire. It is precise and deadly, like Azula. To perform the technique requires peace of mind."

"I see. That's why you like drinking tea, to calm the mind," Zuko said with a nod.

"Oh yeah, good point! I mean, yes," Iroh said, clearing his throat. "There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang. Positive energy and negative energy. Only a select few firebenders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance, and in a moment the positive and negative energy come crashing back together, you provide release and guidance, creating lightning"

He then demonstrated the proper stance, before pointing his finger out and generating a lightning bolt from it.

"That is so cool!" I said with a clap.

"I'm ready!" Zuko declared.

"Remember, once you separate the energy, you do not command it. You are simply its humble guide. Breathe first."

Zuko took a deep breath. He tried to replicate Iroh's technique to generate lightning, but he instead created an explosion that launched him back. Iroh sighed and shook his head in disappointment.

"Maybe let Hana try now."

Zuko scowled but allowed me the space to give it a shot.

I stepped forward, remembering Iroh's instructions to breath deeply. I could feel the energy begin to build inside of me, and I had to fight all of my urges to not fight it.

"Remember, you are its guide!"

It was starting to burn me up from inside. Through a bit of pain, I managed to finish the stance and point to the sky, releasing a purple bolt of lightning into the distance.