Book of Time

An Avatar fic by MJTR

[[Obligatory Author Note: I write this purely out of the fear that nothing official like it will ever be made. The characters are the property of Nickelodeon

Timeline Notes: Because I had begun planning this story before the start of Book 2: Spirits, I am not giving it a number in the subtitle and am not acknowledging the events of seasons 2 and up. Not out of disfavor, just to keep this thing straight in my head and true to my original idea.]]

Book of Time

Chapter I: The Flag Retirement

The last moments of sundown were resting on a far off horizon, the great ball of fire sinking slowly into the ocean, somehow, doing so above her, as seen from underground… But no, no the surrounding was too clear, too blue… Underwater perhaps? It was difficult to discern.

Standing before the sunset was a young woman stood, not entirely sure where it was, but did not take her eyes off the darkness growing before her.

A silhouette clashed with the last of the light, the darkened shape of a man with long hair and a flowing robe. He extended his hand outward to her as the night sky began to overtake her vision.

"Come Avatar… Come to me."

"Who… Who are you?" She asked.

"I? I… Am your destiny."

"My… My what?" She asked. "This… No, this isn't right. I- I have to go-"

She turned from the shape only to find the area directly behind her was a mirror image of the growing darkness and figure.

"What?" She demanded to herself.

"I have been waiting, Avatar," the figure said. "Much, much too long… Do not be afraid… Come to me."

Again the girl darted around, this time to her side only to find the image again duplicated. "Listen!" She shouted. "I don't know what all of this is supposed to be, but-"

"Closer… Closer… Come to me Avatar." The voices began to overlap. "Come to me!"

In a frenzy the girl threw out her hands. A torrent of flames burst out from her fists and burned the figures surrounding her as she darted in a circle. A blast of water rose whipped outward, destroying each of the figures only for another to take its place.

"Do not be afraid Avatar," the shape insisted. "We seek only what you do… We seek only the balance."

She struggled and struggled against the shapes as they continued closing in on her, but as much as she fired at them with flames and water, soon after thrusts of rock and blasts of air, the shapes did not relent. A single one made its way to her ear, gently whispering, "Come to us Avatar." Too confused to respond any other way, she screamed.

Korra awoke in her bed, breaths heavy, a little sweat on her forehead, tossing off her blankets due to the heat. She rubbed at her eyes and face for a few seconds, muttering, "It was only a dream… Only a dream…"

The sun had not yet risen, though she was sure it would soon. Knowing she probably would not simply fall back to sleep, the young Avatar pushed herself out of bed, leaving her bedroom and heading down the halls, seeking fresh air.

As she headed down towards the nearest door out, she gasped and doubled around a corner. A lone figure was standing down the hall… She peered around a little more, noticing it was holding a candle, and she questioned to herself if she should approach or not.

"Korra? Korra are you down there?"

She breathed a sigh of relief. It was only Tenzin. She revealed herself from the corned. "Yes Tenzin… It's me… What are you doing awake at this hour?"

Tenzin yawned and rubbed at his eyes. "I envy your ability to sleep through Rohan's cries… I know he's a sweet boy when we're all awake, but its these hours he has his fits… Pema dealt with it the last two times, now it's landed upon me."

It was only then Korra noticed he cradled a small baby with his free hand. "I was going to take him out for a little fresh air, thought it might help."

"I was going for the same thing," she said.

It had been a little less than a year since the devastating attack on Republic City. The violently anti-bending revolution led by terrorist Amon had ended in his downfall, though his exact whereabouts remained unknown. Since then the council of Republic City was disbanded, the city know run by the good Chancellor Buto. The attack had its own lasting effects, but mostly in the fear held by those who experienced it. New problems rose and were present, but nothing quite so threatening.

"Bizarre dreams again hm?" Tenzin asked as the master and student took seats on the staircase of the temple that served as his home. "Could it be you're still just nervous about the ceremony?"

"I don't know… I mean, I am," Korra admitted. "It's only a week away and I still don't know if I can do it."

The two were referring to the "Flag Retirement" ceremony held at the yearly Festival of Freedom. The festival was held as a memorial to the fall of the "Old Regime", referring to the former state of the Fire Nation, ruled by the tyrannical Firelord Ozai before his defeat at the hands of Aang, the previous Avatar. It had been cancelled the previous year, due to the attack by anti-bending forces, but was due to resume in a few days.

The Flag Retirement was a yearly tradition in which one, in the past either the Avatar or a member of the Firelord royal family, was presented before the gathered crowds and faced a gigantic flag, bearing the Fire Nation's former symbol. A sufficient firebender would stand from atop the flag and fire a blast of lightning towards those who stood in the center. The lightning would then be redirected at the flag, burning the old regime to the tiny cinder it had become and symbolizing the peace the Fire Nation had made with the rest of the world.

Korra had heard much about these ceremonies from travels who came to her tiny village in the South Pole, though this would be the first she would attend herself. Though Aang was the flag retiree during his lifetime, it was passed after his death to the Firelord Laru, who, in her later years, passed it to her son, Korra's friend Iroh. It had been Iroh who had supported Korra's taking of the ceremony to his mother, insistent he could teach her how to redirect lightning in time.

"Iroh says I only have to do it right once and it will stick with me, but I don't even know if I can manage that… And he told me Zuko's making his grand entrance tomorrow-"

"Don't worry about Zuko," Tenzin said with a little smile. "The statues don't show his good side. He was one of my father's closest friends, and I'm sure he'll only be there to keep your spirits up."

"I've just been dreading getting nightmares of him trying to kill me… Aang… One of us," Korra said with a laugh. "I'm sure he'll be there to help. Pressure's just really been on, you know?"

"Of course," Tenzin said, running his hand through Rohan's one tiny tuft of hair. "I am taking this one back to bed. Do you need to talk to me anymore?"

"No," Korra said with a sigh, followed by a yawn. "I probably just need to get back to sleep too. Thanks for talking to me."

Korra wasn't sure of how much better she felt when she pulled herself back into bed, but she hoped it would be something at least.

-Break-

Lines of medical tape were slowly being wrapped around Korra's fingers at noon the next day, singed by the constant barrage of lightning blasts from Iroh. He'd been apologizing constantly, much to the ire of his mother.

Firelord Laru sat in on their practice within one of Republic City's military compounds. She was an a stern, overbearing woman in her 50's with bright, golden eyes, greying hair and a sour disposition. Her hair was done up in a topknot, a small crown resting upon its top. She was not cruel, but Korra had learned very quickly her patience was short for failure and weakness.

"Is she looking at me?" Korra whispered as Iroh proceeded over.

"No, you're fine," Iroh assured. "She's too busy complaining to the tea makers. Grandfather is very particular about his tea and he wants to be sure he gets it just right. How are your fingers?"

"Still hurting," Korra said.

"I figured this would be easier," Iroh said with a sigh. "These are based on waterbending techniques after all."

"Yeah, but it's not like I was taught to just be a waterbender," Korra replied. "They've been teaching me to be an Avatar from day one. I was never just a waterbender."

"I suppose," Iroh said. "Still, maybe I did push you into this too fast. I guess after Amon I thought you'd be able to tackle anything."

"Iroh!" The Firelord called. "Is the Avatar well? We must resume!"

Iroh looked at Korra, who rolled her eyes and nodded. The two made their way back into the center of the room and taking their stances. Korra had been asking Iroh to tone it down a little, but he could only suppress his own abilities so much before the lightning simply would not come. As the sound of static began to fill the room, burning off of Iroh's hands, there was a sudden boom of heavy iron, the door of the compound creaking open, the crackling of lightning dying with it and a broad smile coming across Iroh's face.

Despite knowing he was older than Katara, Korra saw there was very much still a strong regalia to him. He wore a flowing red garb similar to the one worn by Laru, his hair, white as snow, freely sitting atop his head. Across the left side of his face was a light red mark, the scar Korra had heard so much about. A little smile was across his face as his guards let him in and he made his way into the center of the compound. Immediately Firelord Laru stood from her seat and gave him a low bow.

"Father," She said. "It is good that you've have joined us."

"You are looking well Laru," He said as he made his way forward to his grandson. "Same to you Iroh. And of course," he turned, now towards Korra and, to her surprise, clasped his hands together and bowed. Not wanting to appear rude, she quickly did the same. "Avatar Korra… I haven't seen you since you were just a little girl," he chuckled.

"It is an honor, Lord Zuko," she said.

"Be careful how you use that word," Zuko said, still laughing a little. "It's very easy to abuse."

The room was left quiet for a minute before there was a yelling of, "Grandpa! Can we come in yet?"

Zuko laughed and turned to the door. "Of course girls. Come in!"

Two little girls, in similar Fire Nation regalia, ran in, the younger running and clutching his cloak while the elder ran and jumped towards the surprised Iroh, who managed to catch her at the last moment before she cried, "Uncle Iroh!" And kissed him on the cheek. Her hair was rather short but unrestricted and the golden eyes which matched the rest of her family's seemed unusually large and expressive.

"Aki," Iroh said, surprised. "It's good to see you.

"You brought the girls?" Laru asked, a small amount of her sternness seeming to return.

"Bumi and Rei wanted a chance to enjoy the city on their own terms." Zuko said. "And it gave me a chance to spend time with my granddaughters," he briefly nodded to Iroh, "As well as my grandson."

Korra had been so busy preparing for the festival that she had forgotten the line formed by Tenzin's brother and Iroh's aunt that united their two families. The young girl who had hugged Iroh turned now towards Korra, suddenly seeming more focused and offered her a bow. "Avatar Korra," she said.

"Um… Hi there," Korra said. "Aki, right?" And quickly returned the bow.

"That's correct," Zuko said, and then referred to the little on at his side, "And this is Kimiko." She too slowly stepped forward, bowed and addressed Korra, receiving the same introduction as her sister. She was small, even at Korra's estimation of five years old. Her black hair was tied back into pigtails and, unusually amongst the present company, her eyes were lightly colored, almost gray, taking more after her father.

"Alright, everyone is now acquainted," Firelord Laru said, her sourness taking over again. "Father, it is good to see you, but we have many preparations to make. The Avatar has not yet managed to master her part in the ceremony." Korra swallowed as she mentioned it, turning away from Zuko to hide her embarrassment and Laru to mask her frustration at how curt the woman was.

"Oh really now?" Zuko asked, amused. "That's rather funny, I recall another young woman who took quite some time to master the flag retirement techniques as well. And I seem to remember she shouted impatiently at her father when he was only trying to encourage her." Korra suddenly found herself laughing.

"Da… Father!" Laru yelled. "You will not make a mockery of me on a day like this one! We still have much work to do!"

"And I thought Korra would appreciate a little extra encouragement. Isn't that right Aki?"

"Yeah!" She said. "Grandpa said you were gonna burn the old flag! And we really, really wanted to see you do it!"

"Well thanks Aki, but I'm doing the official isn't til next week," Korra said, stopping a moment to be horrified by the words as they slipped past her lips.

"Not if you can't perfect the redirection today!" Laru commanded.

"Well then you need to get it today!" Aki said. "We'll cheer for you, we know you can do it, don't we Kimi?"

Kimiko took a few steps forward from her place at her grandfather's said and looked up at Korra. "You can do it," she said. "You're the Avatar." Her voice was shaky and it was clear she didn't use it much, but Korra found something so endearing about it that it seemed to wake something inside her.

"Alright girls… Pro-bending season ended just a few weeks ago. I'm used to hearing screaming crowds. You two are gonna have to compensate." She turned to Iroh, "Let's get back to work."

With a renewed drive she stepped back into the designated circle with Iroh, a smile now on her face and quickly spreading to his as well. "And you know what? Don't go so easy on it this time. I gotta prove myself to these two."

"Korra, I don't think-"

"Don't talk her out of it," Laru said. "I've been waiting for this all day…"

Korra and Iroh's eyes were locked on one another as the girls began to chant, "Korra! Korra! Korra!" The tension rose with every chant, the room beginning to burn with the passion behind the moments to follow.

Finally, Iroh took the first step. Fire turned to lightning in his hands, the girls now fighting the crackling he controlled as an unearthly blue light filled the space. He channeled the energy into his the tips of his right fingers, and for a moment, all was silent.

The roar of thunder followed as he fired the blast directly at Korra, the girls screaming louder than ever, Aki quickly adding a, "Burn it to a cinder!" For good measure.

Korra felt the blast enter through her burned left finger tips. For the moment, everything seemed to stop. She couldn't hear the girls, couldn't see Iroh, her senses just stopped functioning for a moment, save for every part of her body screaming, seemingly both in pain and delight, as the lightning ran through her center and towards her right hand.

It took everything she had, but she was able to then force her right hand upward, and regained her sight just in time to see it blast through the Fire Nation's former flag as it fell to the ground, burning to ashes and, at last, a look of approval on the Firelord's face.

"You really managed to burn five of those things?"

"At the Firelord's insistence. But after the first one it was a cinch. Nothing to it at all."

"Well hey, I'm still proud of you."

"Thanks Mako. It means a lot."

The two lovers were relaxing happily inside the apartment of Mako and his younger brother Bolin, Korra's friends and companions since her journey to Republic City. The date of their first anniversary was quickly approaching, though neither had mentioned it with the festival approaching. Mako's had an arm laid lazily across her shoulder, she leaning a head onto one of his.

"You're gonna have a lot of fun out there. Burning that thing is the first event of the day, then it's all ours.

"You know this thing better than I do. You're gonna have to show me around."

"No worries at all," Mako said, rubbing his cheek against hers a little. They sat that way for a minute or so before Korra pulled up a little and leaned in closer, about to kiss him before they heard the front door open and both immediately sat up straight.

"Oh no, don't even bother," Mako's brother Bolin said as he walked in, dressed in a green-laced black jacket in place of his normal light green overshirt and tossing a small white box of kim chi on the kitchen counter. "Nobody has to stop being romantic for me."

Korra and Mako exchanged looks, "You alright bro?" Mako asked.

"Oh I'm fine," Bolin said. "That girl Lan? Thought she had a great personality. We had some noodles, shared some stories… I let it slip we used to be out on the streets and BAM, she plays the pity card the rest of the night and tells me she could never have a life with someone who can't afford to support her lifestyle… I could swear those earrings were fake!"

"Aw, sorry Bolin," Korra said. "I was really hoping it'd work out… You'll find someone. Just give it some more time."

"I'm sure I will," Bolin sighed, picking up his box, "If they come knocking at the door in the next year or so, tell them I'm in my room… Me and Pabu are gonna eat our hearts out until then."

He stepped into his bedroom, his overly-vocal cries coming from the other side.

"Should we say something else?" Korra asked.

"Nah, he's just gotta let it all out. Give him some time," Mako assured.

"Has he ever thought about dating Asami?" Korra asked. "She's on the market right? Or are you hiding something from me like you did with her," Korra teased.

Mako went red, "What? No! I promise, I-"

"Relax, relax. I believe you," Korra said.

"Well, anyway… I dunno. Maybe he thinks it'd hurt the dynamic or something. Or maybe Asami would just feel weird about dating my brother. I couldn't tell you, but I don't see it happening."

"Well there's gotta be somebody for Bolin in this city," Korra said, again resting her head against Mako's shoulder. "And I'm sure he'll find them, sooner or later… I hate to come and go so fast, but I'm gonna need a lot of sleep to do that retirement in a few days."

"I shouldn't expect you to sneak over here in the middle of the night again then?" Mako asked with a smile, which Korra returned.

"Not tonight I don't think… Sometime soon though. Promise." The two shared one more kiss before she stood up and headed for the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"For sure, great work out there!"

-Elsewhere…-

"Is it finally so? Is the moment we have waited these cursed years for finally here?"

"Yes… Soon The Avatar's role will be complete. Then we can finally move forward."

"I remember when these years passed like hours… It feels far too long in the making."

"Soon we shall be restored to our former glory. Soon they will remember us as we truly are."

"They will be reminded of their god."

[Author's Note: Yes, I like to play with fanon. Yes, I like to repurpose fun old theories into something new. No, it was never stated that Zuko only had one daughter, and because I always liked the Bumi marrying into his family theory, I decided to have fun with it. Don't expect it to go away =P]