Lin was swamped at work and over a week had gone by before she returned to Air Temple Island. "How is he doing?" she asked from Tenzin. Tenzin gave her an update, explaining that Avan had been working with Kya on water-bending and healing. "Kya would probably be the best person to talk to, she will have the details," responded Tenzin. So they made their way up to the healing area where Kya and Avan had been spending almost all their time. Kya was standing outside one of the rooms and caught their approach.

"Lin, hello!" she called out. "How have you been?" They spoke a short time catching up on a few of the goings on in the city and around the air temple. "Well, I know you didn't come here to have a chat with me." Lin put on a small smirk, "Well, so, how is he doing anyway?" Kya energetically responded, "Avan is incredible, as you described." They all poked their heads in the room to find him working on a Republic City officer. Lin perked up, recognizing him, and stepped in, "Giri, what happened?" Avan looked up at Lin, she motioned for him to disregard her and continue. Giri was a high-level detective, Lin in fact had personally recruited him some years back. While she didn't keep in touch with him personally (How could she keep track of every officer that she had personally interacted with in some way?), she almost never forgot a face. The detective tried to straighten up a bit despite Lin's motion to remain at ease, "Chief Beifong, I didn't expect to find you here. We were tracking down a faction of the Triple Threats when got a jump on us, I took the brunt of the attack and unfortunately they got away. They have become more emboldened since Kuvira's attack disrupted the city." "How are you feeling?" Lin asked. "Pretty good actually, especially considering I don't even know how I got here. I was told that our Sato-mobile was completely smashed and they had to slice it up to even get me out. They claimed to not even be sure if I would make it so they flew me here, but to be honest I only feel a bit bruised up and sore." Lin responded, "Well take it easy for a while and recuperate."

Lin returned to Kya and Tenzin. Kya spoke to Lin in a hushed voice, "He doesn't even realize how bad of a shape he was in. When your officers arrived, he was unconscious with severe lower-abdominal injuries. They said that because of the crash, Giri was basically crushed between his seat and the steering wheel. Avan has been working on him since for the past two days, almost non-stop. I learned on the first day with him that when it comes to more localized injuries, I would have to say he is second to none, even Master Katara. I have never seen the ability to heal like he has, I am almost jealous of his raw talent in this. However, as he mentioned to you both, his overall water-bending skill level is surprisingly basic, so any wide-spread injuries, extensive burns, and poisoning, things of that nature that would require the use of the healing pools he is somewhat ineffective." They looked over as Avan replaced the water he had been using back into the basin nearby, gave a long exhale, leaned back and closed his eyes. There was no hiding his exhaustion.

The three of them walked out of the room and Kya continued her assessment. "In between healing work, I have been teaching him, starting with the basics. Since he didn't have any formal training, much of even his basic motions were off, so I am partially unlearning what he thought he already knew. He is a good student, very eager and picking it up quickly. I mean he isn't going to be challenging Korra next week, well maybe a healing challenge, but it won't be long before I think he will become quite an adept water-bender in all aspects." Lin looked to Tenzin, "I think we made the right choice pulling him out of the slums. It seems that his best position would be to remain here for the time being, training and applying healing." "Assuming of course that is what he wants to do," Tenzin added. "I want to make sure he grows as a well rounded person, I don't want him to think we are using him for abilities without regard to him as an individual."

"I don't feel that way," Avan interjected. The three whipped around, all unaware of the fact Avan had also emerged from the healing room and was standing just behind them.

Tenzin spoke, "Avan, I'm sorry, I just want to make sure that you know you are free to learn, come and go and make all of these decisions as you see fit. All of us are here to help guide you, but I do not want you to feel that you owe us anything."

"I should be the one thanking all of you for this opportunity. It is hard for me to accept that just days ago I was pretty much living on the street," Avan said earnestly, "and Kya, thank you. I don't mean to be sappy, but...you really make me miss my mom." Kya turned a bit red in the cheeks, ruffled Avan's dark hair and said, "Thank you for that."

The four of them made their way through the training area. Lin offered her thanks for helping one of her officers. She jested to Avan, "Make sure you don't let Master Tenzin here keep you trapped on this island too long. You should make sure to see the city too." "Like I said, he is welcome to come and go as he pleases," Tenzin stressed.

There was increased commotion from the courtyard. Tenzin could identify all his kids yelling together as well as several others. "Korra must have returned from the South Pole," Tenzin declared. Tenzin, Lin and Kya tried to continue conversations, but the noise was increased by the inclusion of loud crashing. "What are they doing over there?" Tenzin questioned, "Trying to destroy the island?" They turned a corner and Tenzin was correct, Korra must have returned and was making up for some lost playtime with all the kids. It was clear they had come up with some new game where Korra earth-bended rocks up and the air-benders were trying to determine who could launch them the furthest using their air blasts. From the looks of her stance, Jinora had soundly beaten everyone, much to both Ikki and Meelo's dissatisfaction. Ikki made claims that Jinora's rock was smaller than everyone else's and Meelo thought she had used two air blasts instead of just one. Kai, chest puffed up, stepped up to claim his turn. Korra badgered Kai, "So you think you are going to be able to beat your girlfriend? Maybe Meelo's rock would be a better goal for you!" Kai turned a bit red and responded, "bring it on Avatar!" Korra stomped on the ground, sending another stone into the air and Kai whirled forward, sending air blasts out with both hands. But, in his rush, Kai's aim was a bit off and instead of both blasts impacting together, they sent the stone hurling far off course towards the meditation pavilion, still occupied. Jinora, Tenzin and Korra reacted to intercept the errant projectile when it suddenly plummeted straight down and was obliterated against the ground. Everyone was puzzled at what just happened except Lin and Kya, still at a distance from all the others, who had observed the rock respond to the punch that Avan had just sent downwards. After a moment, Lin was the first to speak, "You can earth-bend too?!" Even as this began to sink in, Tenzin and the others were still puzzling over what had just happened, calling over to Lin, "Did you do that?"

After the initial confusion was resolved, Tenzin, Lin and Kya found themselves again in a state of bewilderment. "So you can also earth-bend?" Kya questioned. "Well yes, I'm sorry I didn't mean to surprise anyone. It's just everything was so focused on the healing and water-bending and stuff that I honestly didn't even think about it...and no one ever asked," Avan said innocently. Korra stood waiting for an explanation, "Who is the new guy and what is everyone muddling around about?" Tenzin spoke up, "Korra, this is Avan Pae. He is a refugee of sorts from the earth-kingdom. Lin and I ran into him when were there last week." "Avan, this is Avatar Korra." Avan was visibly shaken a bit, "The Avatar!" "Umm, Hello, nice to meet you...," he trailed off and tried to give as formal a bow as he could muster. Korra and Tenzin's kids chuckled a bit at the sight. Korra tried to break the awkwardness, "Just call me Korra, I don't need the Avatar this, Avatar that formality. I get enough of that dealing with political types. If Tenzin and Lin brought you here then you are like family and thats enough for me." Avan gave a weak reply, "Yes, umm..." Korra glanced at him with a patented goofy Avatar smile. "Korra," he finished. Korra gave a nod of approval and continued her original line of questions, "So again, can someone explain the jaws lying on the floor?"

They moved near the meditation area and sat down. Lin started from the beginning with how they first ran into Avan in the earth kingdom and how he came to be staying at the air temple. Tenzin and Kya handed off the more recent events and training that Avan was doing with the water-bending. Tenzin addressed Avan directly, "Avan, with the exception of the Avatars, you are the first person that I am aware of who has had the ability to bend multiple elements." Avan thought a moment, "But there are lots of people who control more than one, Lin can do earth and metal bending. I know there are earth and lava benders and I have heard of fire and lightning benders too." Tenzin went on to explain how those abilities were just extensions of the same base element. Korra was as intrigued as the rest of them. "Tenzin, but what does this mean?" Korra asked. "I don't know. I think I should have a meeting with the White Lotus, perhaps they will have some ideas. It didn't dawn on me before, but based on Avan's description, he may have acquired his healing abilities around the time of harmonic convergence. Could there be others wandering around with such ability too?" Tenzin paused, thinking about the possibility. After several moments, Korra's stomach broke the silence and they all took the cue to head up for lunch.

It was only a matter of minutes before the story began to spread through the dining hall. It didn't take long before everyone knew that Avan had exhibited both water and earth bending ability. Tenzin was forced to address the hall and explain a little bit about Avan and asked, as leader of the air nation, that the facts remain on the island for the time being. He knew this was about as unlikely as Korra turning vegetarian. Kya addressed the group, "While this is surprising to all of us, I don't think it really changes anything. Avan, I just want to make sure that it is clear that you are still welcome here and that I'd still like to instruct you further in water-bending." He let loose his breath and thanked Kya for that. "I could teach him some earth-bending, from the looks of it we could have some fun sparring! It's been a while since I had a good earth battle, I don't want to get rusty myself!" Korra added. Tenzin informed Korra that Avan would likely be quite busy learning water bending and with work in the healing wing. Korra nodded and gave Avan a sly wink.

The fact that they never heard anything about Avan from the mainland was a testament to the respect the residents of the Air Temple held for Master Tenzin. It wasn't long before Avan had become such a part of the people at the Air Temple that they, like himself, didn't even think about his bending ability. Avan was kept busy with his training and the work of healing. Unfortunately there was never a shortage of injuries, but Kya told stories about how things were right after Kuvira's attack and things were certainly improving. The majority of cases that were brought to the island were people with significant injury that required the immediate attention of the water-benders. It was barely a week before Avan had gained the ability and confidence to treat people in the healing pools as well. Kya had turned out to be a very capable teacher. Together, Avan and Kya became well-known, even outside the city, for their ability to heal others. Kya's healing also improved working with Avan. Working together, she was also able to better focus her thoughts on the energy flows of others, and together they were further able to share the stress and fatigue that came with the art of healing. Kya was also thankful for the extra time that having two healers on the island afforded her.

Much to Tenzin's satisfaction, Avan took advantage of being surrounded by the air benders. He often participated in their practices when he was free, getting to better know many of them, and was very interested in the techniques and philosophies. Even without any true air bending, he was able to navigate the training gates quite consistently, mimicking the motions of the others and merging that with the insight his own earth-bending gave him. Tenzin noted that his true nature seemed to be that of water, despite the obvious skill gap between that and his earth bending. While the air was nimble to flow around and through, Avan exhibited a balance of water and earth. His motions were guided by his surroundings, but he also subtly pushed back against the world with his will to open paths that would otherwise be closed to a true air bender. It seemed much like how a river is both influenced by the earth through which it carves all the while exerting its own force back on the land; balanced forces carving a new path. He was also impressed how the influence of water-bending even carried over to his earth bending, which did not follow the standard, rigid forms of most earth benders, but was much more fluid and with seemingly little impact to its power.


It had been some time since Korra's original earth battle-royale "suggestion", but she continued bringing it up. Korra and Asami had gotten to know Avan a much better during visits to the Air Temple. They had come for dinner with Tenzin's family this evening. Mako and Bolin were to join them later for a night in the city. It was becoming more difficult for the original Team Avatar to get together, but there was time before Mako and Bolin were expected so when things began winding down, Korra grabbed Avan and led him to a secluded area near the sentries' quarters. Asami shook her head in silence, knowing what her girlfriend was up to.

The sky was just beginning to darken when Korra and Avan squared off with one another. They both held serious, but playful, expressions on their faces. "Let's see what you got!" Korra jabbed. Everything was still for mere moments before both benders made motion to pull rocks from the ground and send them hurling toward one another. They both redirected to block the oncoming attack. Korra sent a wave of earth and Avan countered caused a thick wall of stone to rise up between them. Punching through the wall sent multiple projectiles toward Korra who quickly dispatched them into harmless dust. An observer could see a difference in tactics where Korra was trained in more traditional earth bending, she would stand her ground and absorb or crush the incoming onslaughts. On the other hand, Avan showed the influences of water and air bending, choosing to evade and use his earth bending to change the trajectories of approaching attacks, motion like that of a river of stone. The two slowly began pulling up larger and larger boulders. Back at the dining hall, the increasing sound of crashes finally attracted attention. Jinora and Ikki ran out, returning less than a minute later, "Korra and Avan are sparring out back!" The group, including Tenzin, Pema, Asami, Bumi, Kya, Jinora and Ikki ran to the spectacle.

Avan tried to put Korra off balance by depressing the earth from under one foot, but Korra detected this and simply shifted balance to compensate. In turn, she opened a fissure to capture Avan, but he used his own bending to prevent its spread directly under him. They stomped to the ground, ejecting pillars at one another, both evading and reaching out to crush the advancing columns. The kids were enthralled by the display. Asami showed some concern for the escalating level of bending, but also was silently cheering on Korra. After raising up walls on either side of Avan, Korra attempted to bring them together in a crushing move, but he saw this coming and pushed against them with an explosive result. Avan directed much of the shrapnel towards Korra who put up her own wall in defense. Tenzin began to show signs of concern at the intensifying level of the attacks. Avan's movements took on that of a water-bender and a deluge of earth came up to sweep over Korra, but at the last moment, she launched herself into the air with an earth column, escaping the wave. The flash of a familiar thought... Korra then broke off a massive crag and pushed it at Avan. There was a split second of panic as he quickly realized he could not control something of this size, but he then pulled water from the ocean and assaulted the earth with what seemed like thousands of razor thin slivers of water. The mass of earth yielded, shattering into harmless pebbles that showered down them both. Tenzin finally stood up, "Korra! Avan! I think that is enough!" Korra and Avan looked at one another and dropped to the ground, exhausted, covered in a muddy sweat. "How long had we been at this?" they both thought.

Asami went to Korra with a disapproving expression, "Korra, how are we supposed to go out with you looking like this?" Korra glanced at herself, realizing now that earth bending may not have been the best idea in her nice clothes before a night out. "It's OK Sami, I can wash up really quick here, and I'm sure I have an extra set of clothes in my room here."

"So?" Asami asked. "So what?" Korra questioned. "What did you think of Avan? It looked like you guys were really going at it; don't you think that you may have been a little tough on him?" Korra quickly responded, "It was awesome! I mean I started out trying to judge just what I could throw at him, but he has some serious skills! Maybe in the end I might have gotten just a tiny but carried away, but he handled it just fine, right? I can't remember the last time I have been able to have fun bending like that with someone who wasn't trying to kill me at the same time!" Korra was like a little girl again who had just been given back her favorite, lost toy. She had a huge smile of satisfaction pasted on her face. Asami's expression also softened at the sight and she couldn't help but reply with a smile of approval for her girlfriend. "Go get cleaned up you," she ordered as she gave her a punch in the shoulder.

Kya asked Avan, "Are you all right?" Avan nodded, "I don't think I have ever had a workout quite like that! Korra really is an amazing bender, I would hate to be on the receiving end of the Avatar state." Jinora and Ikki were equally impressed, "That was amazing Avan! You really held your own, with Korra of all people!" Avan blushed a bit at that. Tenzin chimed in, "Well, I expect this place to get put back together tomorrow morning, but for now, let's head back inside."

Avan cleaned up before returning to the dining hall. Everyone was there except Korra and Asami, including Mako and Bolin. Bolin gave Avan a rough bear hug, "I heard you really gave Korra a run for her money!" Avan replied, "I don't know about that. I don't think I had much left in the tank and I'm pretty sure she was just kicking it into gear." Korra walked in saying, "Don't sell yourself short, I wasn't pulling punches if that is what you're thinking. We will definitely have to do that again sometime!" Tenzin added, "Perhaps away from the island next time."

"Bolin," Korra said, "you should spar with Avan, all those movers might be making you a bit soft around the edges!" She gave his sides a little pinch. As the four of them started out, Korra turned and asked, "Avan, do you want to join us?" She exchanged looks with her companions, Mako gave a shrug, Bolin's puppy face seemed to indicate agreement and Asami nodded, happy to go along with her girlfriend's idea. Avan questioned, "Are you sure you don't mind? I mean, I would love to see the city. I have been here for about a month, but still haven't managed to spend much time on the mainland." Korra reiterated the invitation and so the five of them headed for Asami's speed boat and headed for some of the city's nightlife. After battling with Avan, Korra felt she should get to know him better. It wasn't just out of a sense of friendship, but something deeper that she felt the need to interrogate.

It was the first time the original Team Avatar as a whole had spent time with Avan. Though the four of them were very close and had shared so much history, they were not exclusive. Somehow, even when reminiscing of their previous adventures, they did so in a way where Avan did not feel left out. For Mako and Bolin, it was actually the first time spending any real time with Avan. Up until now, they had only shared a passing hello or a short conversation about nothing at the Air Temple. The three of them bonded quickly, however, exchanging hard time stories of time growing up with no parents on the streets. Avan hung on onto every word of when they were coming up in the Pro-Bending circuit. "You never mentioned that you did were a Pro-Bender too Korra!" Avan said in surprise, "I mean I guess I shouldn't be surprised, you are probably the most 'pro' bender there can be." The other four laughed at the comment. "I never even thought of it that way!" said Korra with a tear in her eye. Without intention, the group partially broke up into separate conversations. Korra and Asami couldn't help but to descend into a more personal discussion of what was going on in their lives and plans with one another. They were both so busy, that they couldn't help but take advantage of any of the moments that they could extract for each other.

"Don't worry about them, this happens for a little while almost every time we get together," Bolin commented. "They will come back to us after they catch up a bit," Mako added. Asami reached over and gave Mako a "thanks for understanding" touch on the shoulder. Mako and Bolin shared some of their memories of their parents with Avan. It was obvious that the anger they felt towards their murders had softened significantly over the years, but the memories of their parents were still strong. "If you don't mind us asking, how was it that you ended up on the streets?" Mako asked. Korra and Asami continued their own conversation, but their ears piqued at the question.

"I loved my mom and my sister," Avan started slowly. "I think my mom did her best to teach me to live a good life in this world. She had to work more than her fair share to keep our family afloat. I remember many times that she would try to take my sister and I out to a park or to the zoo even though she was so tired. There were many times that I remember her being just so worn out." Avan took in a deep breath. He let out a pained chuckle, "I remember once when we were on the train to the zoo and she fell asleep, totally exhausted. Even like that she still wanted to do everything she could for my sister and I. My sister thought we should just let her sleep there. Little did we know how many times we would go around on that line, it must have been two or three hours! We tried to do what we could to take care of her." Avan paused a moment. "My sister was about 4 years older than me. She was so much more than a sister, more like a second mom to me." By this time, Korra and Asami both had become silent and were listening to Avan's story. "Trying to keep everything together I guess everyone had to try and do their part. I just wish I could have seen all of it earlier and done more. They both worked so hard to give me a normal life and shield me from the reality of the world." Avan went on for some time telling stories about his sister standing in for his mom when she just wasn't able to make it and about his mom standing up for complete strangers in the lower ring just because it was the right thing to do. "Without their sense of responsibility for the community, I don't know what I might have ended up doing with my life...I certainly would not have ended up sitting in this place with the four of you." Avan cracked a weak smile. Bolin chimed in with a comment, "You mentioned your mom and sister a lot, what happened to your dad?" They all exchanged glances upon seeing Avan's face drop slightly and take on a slightly more reddish tint. His hands unconsciously began to wring at the tablecloth.

Avan's voice took on a different, darker tone, "My father..." The way it was spoken sent a chill down Asami's spine. "I wish I could known more when I was growing up. My mom and sister both protected me from the truth. If only I had known, I don't know, maybe I could have done something." Avan shook his head. Almost with teeth bared, "My father was a thief, a gambler, a drinker, a manipulator. I mean he wasn't always that way, I have flashes of memory when I was young when we were together as a family and things were normal, and things didn't just change overnight, but how did it go so far? He was home less and less, thought things were pretty normal with just the three of us. They never told me where he went or why he was gone. By the time I was ten or eleven, I had learned what my mom and sister already knew, to fear when my father came around. My sister and I would often try to be away for whatever reason we could come up with. Unfortunately, my mom was the one who had to bear the brunt of his wrath. I don't think I ever saw my father sober after twelve. He came around for my mom or to take money from us; I can't understand why she put up with it. Maybe I didn't realize then that we just didn't ave a choice. We were too poor to move and I know mom feared him. He was good at that. I had heard him use us against her if she ever got ideas."

"He came home that night, we didn't think we would see him for a while since it had only been a week. Even I saw that fire in his eyes, he was different even from his usual vile self. He was mad at where his life had ended up, mad at why he was so poor, mad at why my mom kept his kids away from him. Something set him off that night. My sister and I heard the yelling from the other room; there were crashes of all sorts, dishes, furniture being thrown. Horror racked us when it became silent. When we finally rushed in, my father had his hands wrapped around my mom's neck." Avan's voice was trembling. These memories were etched in his mind; the scenes would never leave him. "His hands looked so big on my mom's neck. She...she was so pale; there was no life in her. My sister ran over to her and pleaded with my father, pounding on him. I can still see his huge hands, knuckles white; deep valleys imprinted forever on her neck. He then began to rant about everyone out to get him; we were going to get him, he couldn't trust us. He next turned on my sister before we even knew what has happening, smashing her into a table." Avan became somewhat introspective, "Why didn't I do anything? They had protected me my whole life and all of this happened and I didn't do anything but stand there." He continued, quickly now, "I barely remember individual events, he beat my sister, he beat me. It was a blur of fists and pain. He was possessed by something. He was trying to kill us." Avan paused a moment. Korra, Asami, Mako and Bolin were all silent, expressionless. Avan's expression changed ever so subtly from one of pure anger, hate, and disgust to that mixed with regret and sadness. "He grabbed a knife and began mumbling about disposing of everyone, everyone who ever hurt him. He came toward me and stopped, I thought I was over, and he plunged the knife deep in his own chest. No words. They were all dead. It was a couple days in the hospital before I could manage again. I survived, but I was alone. That was where my story started."

Korra was the first to speak, "I'm so sorry, I don't really know what to say." Mako put a hand on Avan's shoulder. "No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drag all of you down with this," Avan said apologetically, wiping tears from his eyes. Asami spoke up, "I know none of us can know how you feel going through all that, but just remember that there are others around you who can share some of your pain." Asami went on to describe a bit about Hiroshi and how his path had crossed both her own life and the lives of the others. "I know I was so thankful to get that last chance for closure with him before he died. You were robbed of that chance, but you also can't blame yourself for his actions. None of us know what drove him to do those things and you will probably never, ever be able to forgive him, but you have to try and forgive yourself. It wasn't your fault," Asami said reassuringly. "Thank you," said Avan. After another awkward silence within the group, Avan looked at Korra and, in a hushed tone, said, "I didn't realize the requirements to hang out with the Avatar were so steep, no wonder people are afraid of you." Korra's face scrunched up, puzzled. "I mean, everyone here has lost their parents, right?" Avan clarified. Korra's face had the look of shock. Avan cracked a small smile. Asami, Mako, Bolin and Avan all swapped looks and their serious faces were shattered by boisterous laughter. Korra forced a smile, "Guys, I don't think it's very funny." Bolin responded, "I never thought of that one!" Mako added, "Korra, don't worry about it, I think that we have all grown from these events in our lives. It isn't that we don't still feel pain from it, but we don't dwell on the pain any longer and it can be this adversity that drives us to be better and part of what put us here, together." The bar had long since shut down for the night, though between the presence of the Avatar and Asami Sato, no one was going to be kicking them out, but all realized it was time to turn in for the evening.