The Legend of Korra: Book Five — Part One

Table of Contents TENZIN’S LETTER 1 THE DELIVERY ��3 THE ALL IS AFLAME 10 TALES OF ZAOFU �� 19 THE AVADHOOT �� 34 THE LIVES OF THE AIRBENDERS �� 45 HARMONIC TRINE 61 i The Legend of Korra: Book Five — Part One The following book is a fan-based derivative work (fan fiction). This book may be copied or reprinted for free distribution without permission from the author. Otherwise all rights reserved. The Legend of Korra and Avatar: The Last Airbender are all owned by Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, and all pertinent parties. Please support the official release. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my thanks to: My family, for providing me the imaginative support I needed growing up. The numerous editing volunteers, who provided initial critiques, corrections, and feedback. Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko for creating the Avatar universe in the first place. Venerable Ajaan Geoff, whose translations and teachings appear throughout this text and have changed my life for the better. Colleen, for providing the creative spark needed for the reinvention of this endeavour. Makanidotdot, whose illustrations inspired this fanfiction in the first place. And PipReyes, who provided the illustrations and was an excellent partner in this project. May this work both captivate your imagination and be a cause for goodness and creativity. iii Tenzin’s Letter PROLOGUE TENZIN’S LETTER Rohan, I know you have a long journey in front of you as you travel to the Eastern Air Temple. This is an important mark of passage: turning fifteen was the typical age when airbenders undertook this pilgrimage into adulthood. I am so proud of you, my son. But there are dangers, for which you should be cautious. While the Earth States have succeeded the Earth Empire, and Kuvira is locked away, the Fire Nation and the United Republic are in the middle of a Cold War. It is for this reason, and the Air Nation repatriating refugees in the Earth States, that airbenders have not undergone missions to the Fire Nation in the past eleven years. Spies and agents on both sides are everywhere. They may compromise this spiritual journey that you must take. I have searched for this conflict’s origins. People have their own ideas. I think it began when President Raiko constructed Sky Castle Bravo, and signed the Whaletail Treaty with the Earth States, which gave the United Republic all Earth Empire territory to the west of the River Beinan, the river that joins the Northernmost Ocean with Full Moon Bay. Some say it began when Fire Minister Zhoza announced the construction of his own nation’s sky castle as a counter. Others blame Fire Lord Izumi for devolving too much of her power to a new Fire Parliament. I have tried my best to get President Bolin to deactivate Sky Castle Bravo, but he has declined. He insists that in the wake of Unalaq’s attack, Kuvira’s Colossus, and the waves of refugees that followed her downfall, that Sky Castle Bravo is essential 1 The Legend of Korra: Book Five — Part One to ensuring peace and security. When I last spoke with him, he alluded to the Fire Nation developing a new weapon; I pressed him for more details, but to no avail. And more troubling yet, Avatar Korra says that the new spirit portal has moved from its spot in the Spirit World and now resides near the Tree of Time. No one knows what this means. She has gone off in search for answers. I have heard nothing further. These are disconcerting times. But be brave. You must go forward into adulthood and the days yet before you, my son. I will meet you in due time, when you arrive at the Eastern Air Temple. Love, Dad P.S. I’ve included a copy of “The Lives of the Airbenders” Please read this on your travels and take good care of it. P.P.S. It’s an historical artifact. 2 The Delivery CHAPTER ONE THE DELIVERY THE EELHOUND BUS’S TIRES were beating on the concrete road as it passed the well worn sign declaring ‘Welcome to Aomame Town!’. On the street’s far side, another sign in monotype said—Republic City, 30 miles. Shokku slouched into his seat, curling his knees as close to his chest as he could. He examined the road, switching between looking for any suspicious cars and following his eye along the stripes on the road. The central street in Aomame Town was lined with freshly planted trees and new, identical homes. A United Republic flag fluttered with cheer in front of the courthouse at the street’s end. Hammering noises abounded through the bus glass, and Shokku saw a pair of kids earthbending clay in a front yard, as a dad across the street casually stretched his hands over his lawn and water-bent the yard to keep it a spring green. A stout mail-truck rounded a corner, and on its sides were emblazoned in red—UNITED REPUBLIC POSTAL SERVICE. A new turquoise Satomobile with a rounded chrome hood sputtered past, sunlight bouncing off the hood. Disembarking the bus at the terminal, a squat building with a vertical neon sign that read ‘Eelhound’, Shokku felt for the rectangular edges of the letter in his pocket. Leaving the parking lot for the main street, he sought a diner. “Coffee, black.” requested Shokku. “Anything else?” asked the waitress. “The check.” 3 The Legend of Korra: Book Five — Part One “The check?” she repeated. “That’s it?” “Yes.” Shokku seemed apologetic and added. “I don’t quite have an appetite today.” The waitress smiled kindly and went to prepare the coffee. Shokku pulled the note from his pocket and unfolded it. He looked over what he had written. Satisfied, he sealed it in an envelope and wrote the mailing address. Wing Beifong 52 Omashu Ave Central City, Republic City URN The coffee cup clinked on the saucer, and Shokku clacked down the two copper pieces he had on him. Suddenly, a two-way radio crackled outside. He looked over his shoulder and out the diner window. A man dressed in a gray suit and round black sunglasses stood alongside a black car one block away. The man put down his radio, and looked left to right. Another man dressed in the same suit followed him, and then a third. Shokku abandoned his coffee, swiped the letter off the table and into his pocket, and made for the door. He hustled down the steps, avoiding eye contact with the men in gray suits. It made no difference. They had spotted him. He had to find a mailbox, drop off the letter, and hide. At that same moment, someone grabbed his arm. “Don’t move.” said the man in a brown jacket softly. “We’re from the—” Shokku broke the man’s grip. He moved his arms in a wide circle, and—chopping his fingers through the air—shot an earthen pillar from the sidewalk, launching the man back. And then, a strong gust of wind erupted from Shokku’s feet. He soared up to the roof of a storefront, rolling forward to break the fall. Next, he scurried over the concrete rooftops of the main street stores, ducking low to remain out of sight. Then, in the distance, he saw yet more black cars coming in from the highway. From the corner of his eye, he saw a postman making his rounds collecting the mail. He felt his pocket, checking to make sure the letter was still there. “Ok,” breathed Shokku softly to himself as he reached into his pocket, “Ok.” he repeated. Checking over his shoulder, he twisted his hands in the air. Next, he formed a small tornado in his palms. Then, with his free hand, he placed the note into the 4 The Delivery vortex he created. “Target last seen on the roof of Pipsqueak’s Hardware Store.” Alarm filled Shokku. The vortex in his hands bulged and twisted. The letter gyrated violently. He heard the men running around in the alleys, trying to find a way onto the rooftops. Taking a deep breath, he extended his arm back and pushed his palms forward. The letter fluttered forward briefly over the edge of the building. Then it began to plummet like a stone. Shokku put his hands to both sides of his face and grimaced, watching as the letter was left to gravity. The note fell with a thud at the postman’s feet. The postman’s ears perked up at the thud. He looked at his feet. He noticed the letter. “Whoops! Looks like I dropped one!” he chirped. The postman bent over to scoop the letter, placed it in his canvas bag, and continued on his way. Shokku’s pursuers were closing in. A cool wind ruffled his mousy hair, and pushed upon both his black rim glasses and his red tie. He turned his head away from the wind and gazing toward the roof’s far side, his eyes grew wide with inspiration. He leapt at the back of the building, legs first, plummeting two stories. He rolled to break his fall, but heard a pop. He winced. The pursuers were closing in. Standing up on his right leg, he hobbled to the car closest to him—waving his arms as he kept balance. The car was painted yellow and had a blue streak running down the middle. He slammed his fist’s fleshy side into the trunk latch, popping it open; and he tumbled forward and shut the hood behind him.

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