Air Bending Training

We dressed in the classic air bending garb of bright yellow and orange like Shaolin monks. But, at the same time, we surrounded ourselves with the beautiful Buddhist-style architecture the air nomads were known for. Even the tower had the aesthetic down, and I enjoyed it immensely. Something was relaxing and eternally peaceful about this place I could really get behind.

"Hey, have you seen any pro-bending matches while in the city," Korra asked?

Tenzin groaned, so I knew we were off to a great start; he tried. "Korra, you can discuss that with your friend later. You're here to learn air bending. My mother said you've never been able to air bend before."

Korra frowned, then looked away. "Yeah, all the other elements came easily, but I can't even blow out a candle with air bending. Do you know why?"

Tenzin took on his mentor persona. "To learn air bending, I believe you require calm. So often, the most difficult element for the Avatar to master is the one most opposite to the Avatar's personality. For my father, it was earth bending. So let's begin your first lesson."

"Korra's going to air bend," Ikki said.

"Korra's going to air bend," Meelo copied.

Tenzin led us to a contraption of tall, heavy rectangular fans slowly turning in the gentle ocean breeze.

"What is this contraption?" Korra asked.

"A time-honored tool that teaches the most fundamental aspect of air bending."

I nodded slowly at his answer and stared at the old machine. My memories of Korra were a little fuzzy, and I concluded that I had already obliterated canon by existing. Still, I didn't know how this was supposed to teach Korra calm or patience. It could be a meditation aid like watching a hurricane. That would be fun. I bet Korra would get a kick out of riding the waves of a hurricane and battling the natural elements. Once she masters air bending, we should search for a hurricane.

"Jinora, would you like to explain this exorcise."

"The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it to the other side without touching them," Jinora said.

"Seems easy enough," Korra said.

"Jinora forgot to say you have to make it through while the fans spin," Tenzin said and blasted them with air bending. They spun rapidly, Jinora blew a leaf through them, and we watched it pass through unscathed.

"The key is to be like the leaf and flow with the movement of the gates. Jinora will demonstrate."

Jinora, the quiet girl, stood up and approached the gates. She quickly weaved through them, almost dancing around each one. I had a feeling that girl would be great at dark souls.

"Air bending is all about spiral movements. So when you meet resistance, you must be able to switch direction at a moment's notice."

"Let's do this." I put a hand on her shoulder.

"Korra, this might be the hardest thing you've ever done. Try to take it slow and get a feel for it." I said.

"Yes, you don't have to get it right the first time or even the first month. This is a lesson that takes a long time to learn and longer to implement." Tenzin said.

"Hey, whose side are you on?"

"I could try it with you if that would make you feel better.

"Do they even move to your perception?" Jinora asked.

"How do you think I'm able to talk to you?"

The little brown-haired girl frowned cutely at me but refrained from answering. As Korra entered the spinning machine, she did alright for half a second, then one of the spinning fans hit her. That started a chain reaction prompting the fans to hit her until she was expunged from the machine.

"At first, everything rapidly slowed down and sped up out of my control. I was training for a duel during that time, and my teacher basically told me to adapt or die. I guess it's like controlling any muscle; with enough time, I was able to get it mostly under control."

"That was hard; why can't I get it."

Korra said, then looked back at me. After that, she stood straighter and walked into the spinning fans again.

"Remember Korra, air bending is all about spirals," Tenzin said as Korra shot out a second time.

"Thanks, Tenzin, that was really helpful." I stepped over to her walking normally to benefit Tenzin and his family.

"I'll tell you what you try eight more times, and I'll give it a go without cheating," I said.

"Are you an air bender now?"

"No, and I don't even know the right footwork, so I probably won't get past the first one," I said.

"Alright, eight more times, and you can show me how it's done." I took a book out of my inventory, read up on the next tier 1 spell, lifted my hand, and slowly worked my way through it. 

"What are you doing?" Ikki asked.

"Practicing magic it's something I always wanted to learn."

"What's the spell called?" Jinora asked.

"Good first impression aura; it's a bit of a mouthful but one of the easier spells to learn."

I focused on the spell, slowly letting my mana flow from the seed to the five shapes connected to the spell. Cracks appeared with the fourth and fifth shapes as I filled them with more mana than needed. I cut the mana going to the spell and slowly dissipated the spell. No matter how tough I get, a failed spell still messed me up.

"Was there something I was supposed to see?" Ikki asked.

"No, staring at my hand helps me focus." Korra stood in front of me with a grin on her face.

"Your turn," Korra said.

"Please don't break the priceless air-bending relic," Tenzin said.

I stepped into the spiral and felt a heavy hit smack into my shoulder; I let it knock me back while the others hit me. There wasn't any damage done; I weighed about as much as any man. A charging horse could still knock me down if I stood still and let it happen. The same concept applied to the spinning fans. Even if they couldn't hurt me, they could knock me off my ass.

Korra burst into laughter. "See, Tenzin, it isn't just me who can't do it." I hopped back to my feet and tried it again, trying to immolate Jinora. I made it past the first and second one only to get knocked back out.

"I'm only trying it 8 more times, then you're going back in," I said and tried again.

My feet wouldn't go in the right spots, and just as I made it past one hurdle, another knocked me out. I took it a little slower, trying to get the timing right, but I clearly made a mistake. There was definitely a solution to the problem; I kept missing it. My perception slipped a few times, bringing the fans to a stop as I concentrated on each movement.

"Be like a leaf," Jinora reminded me. "It's also been 20 tries; it's Korra's turn."

I hopped out and sat back on the grass and watched Korra go at it again. "Doing something physical like this and learning a lesson feels nostalgic. Except her lesson was more strike once and strike last. Wait and watch your opponent for that one perfect chance to strike. This would meld well with her lessons. Spirals are also some of my favorite designs." I said.

"You're a weirdo," Ikki said.

I gave her a thumbs up. "You bet, little lady," I said.

Korra fell out of the spinning fans, walked over, and collapsed on the ground beside me. I went through the spell for Lust Touch and squeezed her hand. I made sure to form the spell without looking at my hand if Jinora caught on.

"What plans do you have tonight?" Korra asked.

I thought about it. "Well, I managed to find several equalist hide equipment warehouses. That will drive them crazy enough to attack each other as they search for any spies in their organization. My best option is to do nothing, so I'm completely free."

"One-word Pro-bending, we should go watch the fire ferrets," Korra said.

"Absolutely not; watching that drivel will rot your brain," Tenzin said.

I turned my attention to Korra. Her eyes were already filled with determination. Teenagers were all the same, it seemed. Tenzin would have a heart attack when Jinora started her rebellious faze. Watching kids in sports equipment try to knock each other off a platform with elemental powers sounded fun in theory, but I didn't like to watch sports. I half wanted to deny her to ensure the Mako thing never happened. My first thought was just to get rid of the Zuko clone. Then I dialed my plans back to just being there and having fun. It would be our second date.

"Sounds good; if you can make it through one time, I'll take you. If not, you won't go until you make it through." I checked the sun; it was only midday; she had plenty of time to get it right. "The match starts at eight; if you keep at it, you'll get there probably."

Korra pointed an accusatory finger at me. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"Be like a leaf; it couldn't rush even if it wanted to. I raised up and grabbed Korra's shoulders and massaged her tense muscles. You're too tense, your shoulders are full of knots, and you're trying too hard. This isn't about power, speed, or endurance. You're not going to get this by standing your ground. Be like a river and go with the flow."

"I get it already," Korra said and relaxed. "You couldn't get it either why are you acting like you know everything."

"I probably won't get this for a while."

"You would if you learned the right stances; we couldn't show you," Jinora said.

"When you're powerful, the thought of something you can't brush away seems impossible. I'm always tempted to make things easier by using my power. How would you feel if I walked through it with no difficulty?"

"Like I'm the Avatar, and I should get this already. Every other element came easy, but this feels impossible." I held my spellbook out to her.

"Where I come from, mages normally master tier 1 spells at 5 or even 3 for prodigies. It took me a week to stop the lowest level of spells from exploding in my face. Since then, it's been 6 months, and I've barely learned a single spell. No matter how strong I am, that won't change." I said.

I was dancing close to the knife's edge with revealing spells to Korra. Eventually, she might ask if I used any on her, and if she found out, our relationship would be tarnished. That would be trouble later, but for now, I rubbed the knots out of my favorite water tribe girl's back. Being close was its own reward, and not hiding what I could do had given me some relief.

"Well, no sense in stopping now; it's time to try again," Korra said, and Tenzin's kids cheered her on.

"I don't like that you usurped my authority, but it did get results. But, of course, no one gets it in a day, not even the Avatar. As Korra called it, this contraption is made to beat lessons into the more stubborn students." Tenzin said.

"To tell you the truth, I don't really like pro-bending either, but she was so excited about it. So I had to give her some hope of going." We stopped talking as Korra went deeper into the spinning teacher's aide.

"Would spinning them faster make it more difficult, or maybe it has an oscillating function to make the fans move from side to side?

Korra stepped out of the other end and whooped. "We're going to see a pro-bending match." Korra cheered. 

Tenzin smiled and approached the Avatar. "Congratulations, Korra; I knew you could do it. Now I know you were promised a pro-bending match, but you did so well I think you should have the rest of the day off. I'll give you a little spending money so the two of you can watch all the matches you want." Tenzin said.

I slumped backward and stared at the sun. Jinora looked at me with a mix of pity and amusement. "Can I borrow your book while you're away?" she asked.

"You can't read it," I said.

"It has pictures, and I promise I'll be careful with it," Jinora said.

I reluctantly handed it over to her. "Fine, if you be careful with it, you can barrow it for one night."

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