Earthly Tension, Book 1: Rebellion

by Baral

(((ON HIATUS))) A generation has passed since Korra's days, and new problems face the world. The Earth Kingdom is on the verge of civil war, and the balance that every Avatar strives to maintain is threatened from multiple angles. Can the world remain whole and balanced, or will an era of chaos and strife not seen since the 100 Year War engulf the world? Slow at first, gets better.

1. Prologue

Prologue

On the Precipice of Chaos

Over 100 years has passed since Avatar Korra stopped the anti-bending coup in Republic City. This was not the last hardship of her life, but she managed to keep Avatar Aang's dream alive. With her passing, the world was experiencing a period of peace and prosperity - a kind not seen since before the 100 Year War.

However, pass she did. She was reborn into Avatar Keung, whose youth was marked by peace and the ability to learn the elemental bending arts without interruption. Now well into his 20's, the world is only just now beginning to show signs of trouble. Anti-bending sentiments are reaching a height not seen since Korra's youth, the Northern Water Tribe has mostly isolated itself from the rest of the world, the Fire Nation is showing signs of increased militarization, and there are rumblings of discontent in some regions of the Earth Kingdom, threatening to tear it apart.

The Earth Kingdom's government has become increasingly harsh toward its citizens. With increased taxes, soldiers having immunity when it comes to dealing with civilians and a growing prejudice against firebending citizens, the monarchy has pushed a growing number of its people on the verge of full blown rebellion.

Of the areas that made the United Republic, only Republic City has remained completely independent. The others, after falling into infighting, were largely reabsorbed by the Earth Kingdom, with a couple once again becoming Fire Nation colonies. Avatar Korra did her best to stop this, but these events were unstoppable. This led to tension between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation, but in the end both accepted things as they are. Republic City is now a city-state.

Technologically speaking, Republic City is the most advanced city in the world. While certain kinds of technology were banned following Amon's botched anti-bending revolution, the creative geniuses of Republic City continued to build up the city's technological wonders. The Fire Nation has followed in Republic City's footsteps, developing technologies of its own, and together the Fire Nation and Republic City constitute the vast majority of technology users in the world. The Earth Kingdom's cities make some use of these advanced technologies, and the Southern Water Tribe has borrowed some technologies to make various aspects of their lives easier.

However, illegal forms of technology - especially those with military applications - are still developed and sometimes exposed within Republic City, and the Fire Nation is not subject to the laws of Republic City.

This story opens in a small village by the Kolau Mountains, not far from where the ancient city of Omashu resides...