The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 35 [~|~] Firebending Master

A.N. Note: Below flashbacks appear in no set order/time frame. They're all over the place.

Azara moved to flop onto the ground next to Katara as Jeong Jeong louldy discussed Aang's meditation with the airbender.

"How was your training?" Katara asked as Azara sat up.

"Tiring," Azara replied as Jeong Jeong led Aang away and into the forest. "How's Aang been doing?"

"Jeong Jeong had him sit there all morning to feel the sun," Katara explained as Azara nodded. "I think he lost interest about five minutes in."

"Not surprising," Azara chuckled, pulling her knees to her chest. Jeong Jeong returned without Aang, calling for Azara to follow him. As they walked through the forest, Azara spotted a rocky outcrop in the distance, with Aang on top of it.

"Hey, Azara!" Aang called as they reached the top of the rock structure, Jeong Jeong snapping at him to focus on his breathing again. Turning to Azara, Jeong Jeong with his hands behind his back.

"I brought you up here to teach you lightning. I assume you did not fully complete that part of your training," Jeong Jeong stated, causing Azara to nod.

"I tried a few times, but I could never properly direct it," Azara explained, remembering Uncle attempting to teach her on Zuko's ship.

"Lightning is the purest form of firebending. To generate lightning, one must have inner peace. Turmoil blocks the flow of chi necessary to generate lightning," Jeong Jeong replied as Azara looked up. "Perhaps your change of allegiance has relieved some of your inner turmoil."

"I hope so," Azara sighed as she got into the lightning stance her uncle had showed her.

"Lightning requires the separation of the positive energy and the negative energy. Your body acts as the guide, the pathway, for these energies to recombine, making lightning. The lightning is in control, not you. Your job is to guide it, understood?" Jeong Jeong asked as Azara nodded.

Jeong Jeong assumed the same stance Azara had. Guiding his arms in a circular motion, Jeong Jeong concentrated as the energy crackled around him. Accumulating enough energy, Jeong Jeong connected his finger tips, before releasing the lightning into the air through his right hand.

"Wow! When do I get to do that?" Aang called out, causing Jeong Jeong to snap at him again.

"Now, you try," Jeong Jeong ordered, standing up and staring at Azara. Taking a deep breath, Azara moved her hands in the same motion Jeong Jeong did. She could start to hear the sound of energy crackling as she moved, before releasing a rather small amount of lightning.

"That . . . was pitiful," she sighed, standing up.

"Focus. You have to accept your past for what it is and recognize your current path. Let go of your conflict and breathe," Jeong Jeong instructed, walking around Azara as he spoke. "Concentrate."

Azara closed her eyes and resumed her stance, evening out her breathing. She moved her hands in the circular motion again. 

Azara gasped as she successfully created a fire blast, her golden eyes widening in joy. "Dad, did you see that? I firebended!" Azara shouted, looking up at her father, who placed a hand on her shoulder, a wide smile on his face. 

*|*|*|*|*

Azara sat quietly on her stool as the maids finished on her hair for the banquet. "You look so beautiful, Azara. My little dragon princess," Ursa complimented, placing a kiss on the side of her head as Azara giggled.