Mercy (Zuko)

Chapter Four: The Two Masters

Slowly... Feel its movement... Draw it up and then—

SPLASH!

I sigh.

Iroh had spent nearly an hour playing Pai Sho with me before Zuko demanded he continue with his training. Zuko's insistence on honing his skills has inspired me to work on my own bending, so for the past hour and a half, I've been near the bow of the ship, working — and failing — at waterbending.

The night Zuko helped me and the Avatar escape, I defended myself with waterbending twice and I had done it well; however, now that I actually try, I can't do it.

"Nicely done!"

Meanwhile, Zuko has been training rigorously under the critical eye of General Iroh — and he's been doing well. It's a little frustrating to watch him succeed so easily, but that's not entirely fair of me to think. I don't know what it was like for him when he was first learning to firebend, I don't know how hard he had to work or how much he suffered because of it.

I turn to watch the ocean as we cut through the waves. The sea is calm today, and in the far distance, I can see smoke in the sky from a busy port town — probably our destination.

"Good work, Prince Zuko, let's take a break now," I hear Iroh say.

The general's footsteps pad toward me until they stop by the railing.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" he asks quietly.

"It is," I agree. "The wind feels good on my face."

"Yes," he says. "How would you feel about training with me?"

I whip my head over to look at him. "Train with you?" I repeat. "Like, bending?"

Iroh nods. "Yes — I know we don't bend the same elements, but there is always much to learn from other benders, even with elements so opposite from each other such as fire and water."

A grin spreads across my face. "I would love that."

"Excellent! Then let's move over here where we'll have a bit more space," he suggests, leading me over to where he trained with Zuko.

The prince watches us from the low table Iroh set out earlier, drinking water as he rests.

"Now then," he says, "tell me what you know about waterbending."

I blink. "Waterbending's sources are the Moon and Ocean Spirits, and... and deal with the energy paths around the body," I answer hesitantly.

Iroh nods thoughtfully. "You are correct, however, I believe that is mostly specific to healing abilities."

"Yes," I say sheepishly. "That's all I was told, really."

"That's fine — I will tell you more, but I am no replacement for a waterbending master.

"Waterbending deals with the flow of energy; even that of their opponents. Their defense becomes their offense, and they use their opponent's strength against them. Their attacks flow from one movement into another in an instant, and they focus heavily on control. They draw their power from the moon, so the worst time to go up against a waterbending is at night." Iroh chuckles. "The element of air is most similar in nature to water — just as you would move a wave, would an airbender move a wind current — however air is about ultimate freedom and detachment, and that is where they must differ. The waterbender's stance is one that is similar in nature to earthbending. Earth is rigid and unyielding; you must be firmly planted." Iroh demonstrates a steady horse stance. "Just like a waterbender, but water allows for flexibility that earth never will." He relaxes, but still showcases how steady he is. "And finally, waterbending is quite contrary to firebending — not only in the element itself, but also in technique and abilities.