Fire Burns and Ice Freeze

Bitter Work

I open my eyes, then close them again due to harshness of the light. I heard someone calling my name. I opened them again to see Zuko.

"Zuko?" I asked

Zuko turned his head.

"Uncle she's awake?" Zuko yelled

I heard a door open and close. I see Iroh walk up.

"What happened?" I asked

"You were hit by lighting. Azula was aiming for me, and you pushed me out of the way. The lighting hit your side and arm." Iroh said

I nodded my head. Zuko hands me a cup of tea. I start to drinking some of the tea, while Zuko and Iroh talk.

"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 said

"No, she's crazy, and she needs to go down." Iroh said

I start to laugh but turns into a cough then a moan of pain.

"Kida are you okay?" Zuko asked

"Yeah, just don't make laugh." I said

"Zuko, it's time to resume your training. And Kida if you are feeling up to it you should start training in fire bending." Iroh said

"I would love to learn from you." I said

Zuko helped me stand.

"Later you can go down to the river if you feel up to it. Also later I would like to talk to you." Zuko said

"Okay." I said

Zuko helped me out of the little house. I sat down and leaned back against the rock and watched while drinking my cup of tea.

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

"I see. That's why we're drinking tea, to calm the mind." Zuko said

"Oh yeah, good point! I mean, yes. There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang. Positive energy and negative energy. Only a select few firebender 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 lighting." Iroh said

Iroh steps up, and generates lighting, and shoots it away from us.

"I'm ready to try it!" Zuko said

I stand up and hobble over to them.

"Please don't." I said

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

"This isn't going to be good." I whispered

Zuko takes a deep breath. He tries to generate lighting, but instead an explosion haunches him back. Iroh and I both shake our head. Zuko has attempted to create lighting a couple more times.

"Why can't I do it? Instead of lighting it keeps exploding in my face...like everything always does." Zuko said

"I was afraid this might happen. You will not be able to master lighting until you have dealt with that turmoil inside you." Iroh said