Chapter 7- Training From The Ground Up

"And, in the final round, the Buzzard Wasps won with a decisive knockout! What do you say we go to the arena tonight, catch a few pro-bending matches?" Korea asked Tenzin as you dipped another cup of tea.

You, Tenzin, and Korra sat at a table with Korra reading the newspaper and you sitting next to her.
"That sport is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending," Tenzin simply stated, making Korra frown.

"Come on, Tenzin! I've dreamed about seeing a pro-bending match since I was a kid and now I'm just a ferry ride away from the arena," She pleaded with him.
"This pro-bending tournament sounds fun," You piped up, making Korra beam at Tenzin.

"Korra, you're not here to watch that drivel. You're here to finish your Avatar training. So, for the time being, I want you to remain on the island. And little one, I don't want your brain to rot because of that gaming nonsense," Tenzin argued back, and you deflated.

'He reminds me of Sifu Iroh,' You thought.
"Is that why you're keeping the White Lotus sentries around, to watch my every move?" Korra huffed out, motioning out to the White Lotus. You were eyeing on one of them, looking at their clothing.

'Strange, where have I seen those colors before?'

"Yes. In order to learn airbending I believe you require a calm, quiet environment, free from any distractions," Tenzin nodded, and he motioned to you.
"And what better way to find your spiritual side, with an actual spirit to guide you," He gave a small smile, and you felt your ear heat up in embarrassment.

"All right, you're the 'Sifu',"

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"Hmm," You pondered, looking at your hand. You were trying to do that thing when the officers attacked you. Morphing your arm into lava, you have never done that before in the Spirit world. Did the human world give you some weird power?

"Spirit, they're coming!" You heard Jinora call out for you, so you grabbed your Lute and ran next to them.
"Korra's gonna airbend! Korra's gonna airbend!" Ikki squealed happily and jumped as Korra and Tenzin walked up the stairs.

"What is that contraption?" The Avatar asked about the thing behind you all.
"A time-honored tool that teaches the most fundamental aspect of airbending," Tenzin explained.

"Jinora, would you like to explain this exercise?" He asked his daughter, and she nodded.
"The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it to the other side without touching them," She told you all, and your eyes were wide with wonder.

"Seems easy enough," Korra grinned.
"Jinora forgot to say you have to make it through while the gates are spinning!" Ikki piped in excitedly as Tenzin air bended the gates to move quickly.

He then pulled out a single leaf and let go of it.
"The key is to be like the leaf. Flow with the movement of the gates," He said.
"Jinora will demonstrate," Jinora took a deep breath and ran in the gates, turning and twisting to avoid them.

"Airbending is all about spiral movements. When you meet resistance, you must be able to switch direction at a moment's notice," Jinora then got to the other side of the gates and airbended to make them spin again.

"Let's do this!" Korra said, and ran in too, but wasn't as lucky. She kept hitting every one, and hissed in pain at each hit, getting herself thrown out. She got up and growled, going in again, only to be hit with the gates once more. At least the kids were trying to help her.

"Don't force your way through!"

"Dance, dance like the wind!"

"Be the leaf!"

With one last hit from a gate, Korra had a black eye and groaned in pain, falling over to the ground. You winced at the entire scene, and crouched down to gently pat her head.
"Not all first tries end with success, it's a reminder to keep improving," You reassured her, and stood up to face Tenzin.

"Can I do it, Sifu Twinkle?" You raised your hand and hopped a little, making Tenzin softly chuckle and nodded.
"Remember little one, it's all about being a leaf in the wind, and that you must-" Tenzin didn't finish his sentence as you quickly ran towards the obstacle and phased through everything, going on the other side.

"Tada!" You grinned mischievously, and the kids giggled as Tenzin simply sighed, Korra still on the floor.

"I thought you said first tries never end with success!!"

"I said not all of them, but some of them,"

"Ugh!!"

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"Little one? Why are you up?" You turn your head to see Tenzin with a lantern, slight concern on his face as you sat at a windowsill. You wiped tears from your eyes and shook your head.
"I miss my home, Sifu Twinkle... I miss my own Sifus," You sniffed, and Tenzin set the lantern down, walking to sit next to you.

"I know little one. I know how it feels to miss loved ones. My father left when I needed him the most, but I pulled through and realized I needed to help Korra to carry on his legacy, along with my children," He explained, and you just turned your head back at the window.

"But they're not fully gone. And there is no legacy for me to carry on. I want to go home," You mumbled out. Tenzin opened his mouth to say something, but simply placed a hand on your head.
"I promise you little one, I will bring you back to the spirit world. And who know?" He stood up and held out his hand.

"There may be a legacy for you to have, you just have to keep looking," You looked up at him, smiled softly, and grabbed his hand for him to pick you up and place you on your bed.
"In the mean time, this if your home now," He got up, grabbed his lantern, and walked out the door, but stopped before he fully closed the door.

"Goodnight Sifu Twinkle" You mumbled, pulling the blankets closer and closed your eyes, drifting to sleep. Tenzin just stared at you for a moment, before humming and closing the door.

"Goodnight (Y/N)..."

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Next day, and everyone was in a meditating area, legs crossed and eyes closed. You sat next to them, strumming out a gentle and calming tune, making to environment glisten with spirit magic.
"Spirit music always makes others go into a meditated state, so I guess that humans will too," You calmly muttered out.

"I think I'm doing it wrong," Korra sighed, and Tenzin opened his eyes.
"There's nothing to do. Let your mind and your spirit be free, for air is the element of freedom," He said, which caused Korra to laugh, and for you to stop strumming.

"Is something... funny?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, you're telling me to embrace freedom, but you won't even let me listen to the radio. And forget about leaving this island!" She pointed out, and you awkwardly looked at Tenzin.

"Please, Korra. Look at Meelo; he's able to meditate peacefully," He motioned towards his son, who was snoring and had a snot bubble growing and shrinking.
"Did I mention spirit music also makes other fall asleep?" You shyly said, ears burning up in embarrassment.

"What? Well, at least he has the relaxing part down," Tenzin sighed.
"Whatever. None of this airbending stuff makes any sense to me," Korra said, crossing her arms and huffed.
"I know you're frustrated, but these teachings will sink in over time. Then one day, they'll just click," The airbender said and you gave her a reassuring smile.

"My Sifu once said that someone who has been through so much training, still may not fully master their bending. It'll take time," You told her, and you all tried to close your eyes again, but Korra simply stood up.
"Yeah, it's not sinking in yet. I'm gonna go get a glass of lychee juice," She groaned and walked off.

"Korra, the meditation's not over yet!" Tenzin called out for her, but she ignored him.
"Daddy, can I have some lychee juice too?" Ikki asked with a smile, and you raised your hand too.
"Could I have some as well?" You both gave them puppy eyes, but he simply stared at you both.

"No,"
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Bout to start and throw tables at children because of this one child I'm babysitting (ง'̀-'́)ง

Stay healthy and stay tune!