((Hey everyone, very sorry for not updating in a while but I've been extremely busy! I full intend to keep up with this fanfic so i'll just be posting less regularly from now on! Thanks for sticking with it though!))

((More character development ahead! It'll all escalate rather quickly soon, I promise...))

Introducing Airbending:

"They were keeping you locked up?" Tenzin asked incredulously. That did not seem like the White Lotus way at all, prompting the Airbending master to frown even more.

The Avatar nodded. "Well I wasn't allowed out, anyway. I started firebending but got to the point where I felt ready for Air. They wouldn't let me see an Airbending teacher yet so I broke out and made my way here. Didn't really take me long."

Tenzin nodded. "It IS easy to find. Especially after the modifications that we've made since you were last here, Avatar." The White Lotus puzzled him. He'd have to look into it later that day.

The Air Temple was a grand building, styled in traditional Airbender architecture. The surrounding smaller temples were just as impressive but somewhat smaller, all resting on their own plateaus around the existing island. Earthbending had clearly been used to expand the island but it still retained an air of mystery and wonder.

Oogi landed heavily and immediately lay down, happy to be back on the island. Along with Tenzin, he too was growing older. The group jumped off his back and made their way to the main temple; Tenzin held his brother's arm gently as they walked but Bumi seemed to be aware of his senses, as he pulled away and ran to a group of spirits, chatting to them excitedly as they swarmed over him happily.

A woman exited the temple, dressed in airbender garb and a bright blue tattoo on her forehead. She was the woman from home that had appeared as a spirit. Jahn could only feel apprehensive as he approached. Suddenly his plan of escaping the compound, finding an airbending teacher and feeling like a true Avatar did not seem so solid. Maybe he should have brought some snacks? Yeah, definitely. His stomach rumbled at the very thought.

"Jinora, sweetie, this is Jahn. I believe you've already spoken?" Tenzin said by way of an introduction, gesturing towards the Earthbender behind him.

"Yes. So you're Korra's replacement? Hope you're up to scratch," she said somewhat coldly, making Jahn frown. He immediately felt like this woman did not approve of his existence.

Bowing slightly, he looked right at Jinora as he spoke. "It's an honour to meet such a renowned Airbender such as yourself, and Avatar Aang's grandchild to boot."

Jinora gave a quick, forced smile and turned to enter the temple, her courtesies fulfilled. Despite herself, she could not greet this young man warmly. He had the same strong aura as Korra had done and the pain of her loss was still very raw even twenty years on. Her father would not approve but she did not particularly care. He could teach the Avatar if he wished. As long as he didn't push himself too far.

Jahn was perplexed. He may have spent a while locked away with little contact with people but he could still feel an icy reception when it was presented. Tenzin had been far more eager to meet him, willing to even ferry him across the water on Oogi.

"Come, Avatar. There are plenty of others here that will be eager to meet you. All the Airbenders were extremely grateful to Avatar Korra for their gifts, as it was by her doing that they all indirectly gained Airbending."

Jahn's eyes widened. "I…I didn't know that. I heard about the great Spirit Battle in Republic City and the battle between the Avatar and the Great Uniter, but I did not realise she brought back your nation. That's….incredible," he said in complete awe. How was he meant to compete with such a prodigious act like that? Korra had changed the world so much.

Tenzin turned to look at him as they walked into the Temple. "I know it seems like a lot to process. I know my father struggled with the idea of saving the world, but he also struggled with the idea of leaving behind his family. Before he was frozen in the ice, he ran away from the Monks as he was scared they would send him away. Either way, he left. You cannot fight your destiny. A time will come, Jahn, where you must find out what it means to be the Avatar, but I promise you that we will help you all the way," he said wisely, placing an elderly hand on Jahn's shoulder.

"Thank you," Jahn could only whisper.


The key to Airbending was to be light on your feet and to evade any attacks thrown at you. Jahn was quickly discovering that this was really not as easy as it seemed.

"BE THE LEAF!" Aana shouted loudly.

"It's not that easy Aana!" Jahn yelled back comically, frustrated with the exercise. The bloody panels kept spinning around and Jahn kept being smacked around by them.

"Get your feet moving, you're not a statue!" Kai pointed out.

"I…know!" Jahn replied, having been thrown out onto his back. Climbing to his feet, he took a stance and prepared to jump into the exercise once more.

A gust of wind blew dust into his eyes, making him look around in anger. He was already irritated and his temper was beginning to flare. Jinora had landed a metre away, so softly that he had not even heard or felt her presence. She looked somewhat disappointed with him and her eyes showed a sadness that made Jahn feel uncomfortable.

"You're not moving your feet. My husband just said you need to move more and you didn't listen."

Jahn gritted his teeth. "I'm an Earthbender. Everything I've been taught is to have a solid stance and face the attacks head-on. This is just…impossible."

Jinora narrowed her eyes. "Yes, you're an Earthbender. And now you're also a Firebender. Soon, you will be an Airbender as well. The Avatar must learn all the styles to fully understand them. Just as you must live with people to fully understand them as well."

"So what should I do? I can't just act like a dancer out of nowhere."

"Be the leaf!"

Jinora turned her head. "Aana, honey, shush now. You're a much better Airbender than Jahn already, you're already the prettiest leaf around," she said, making her daughter giggle.

"If she's so great then maybe she should teach me!" Jahn said, feeling patronised.

Jinora was silent for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Listen to Aana and see if that helps." Jumping into the air, she extended her glider suit and flew off towards the main temple.

"Oh." Jahn stood there, feeling somewhat silly. Kai had raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, nodding towards his daughter with a smile on his face.

The little Airbender stood with a cocky stance, arms on hips and chin raised towards the sun. "Avatar, I'm your new teacher! You can call me Miss Aana!" she said, trying to hold in a giggle. "First lesson today is how to move your feet!" she said, still stifling the laugh. The young girl clearly loved the opportunity to boss the Avatar around; a trait that Jahn guessed had come from both her mother and her father.

Deciding to humour the girl, he bowed. "Ok then Master, what do I do first?" he asked. The girl would surely be able to teach him nothing but if he gained a more basic understanding of the fundamentals of Airbending then it couldn't hurt.

"Move your feet! Dodge my attacks!" she said, jumping high into the air and slicing down, firing a blast of air. Surprised, Jahn failed to react and braced himself but the air slice was so powerful that he felt his legs give way and he slammed into the ground. Kai, who was watched from outside the sparring arena, began to laugh with half actual humour and half pride. His daughter was his pride and joy and was certainly the most powerful new Airbender born since Jinora herself. Maybe he should have told the Avatar what he was getting into? Nah.

"Quick, dodge!" Aana shouted in a squeaky voice. Firing two more gusts of air, she flipped herself forward and kicked another blast at Jahn, who attempted to move out of the way but was hit by the final one, sending him flying back. More attempts to move out of the way of Aana's attacks were futile, leading the Avatar to become even more irritated. Two jets of fire erupted from his fists and screamed towards Aana, who easily cartwheeled aside. Punching fire at the Airbender, Jahn attempted to keep up with her as she jumped around the arena. Finally tiring, he bent over slightly, panting heavily. Something clipped his feet, making him fall on his back with an 'oof'. Aana stood over him grinning widely.

"That's how you Airbend! Nice try, though you're just not quite Aana material!" she said with a laugh. "Woo!"

Jahn groaned.


Looking across at the city, Jahn leant against the fence and sighed. The night was beautiful and the city sparkled with light, bathed in the green-yellow glow of the spirit portal. He'd only been here a day and yet felt ready to just give it in. He'd been so focused on current events that he'd even totally forgotten his mother and Kuvu back home. How could he do that? How could he be that selfish!?

A tear rolled down his cheek, quickly followed by more. For how long he stood there, crying quietly at the night, he could not say. It was only when a soft noise alerted him to someone approaching that he quickly wiped his eyes and sniffed loudly. Turning, he noticed Jinora stood next to him, holding hands with her daughter. They did not exchange a word, but instead all three of them stood and looked out at Republic City.

"I'm sorry, Jahn," Jinora said, breaking the silence. "I miss her." The Airbender then turned and left before he could say a word.

Aana stood by his side, gazing at the spirit portal beam in the sky. "You know, she's not mad at you. She loved Korra a lot and she's sad because she's gone now."

Jahn gazed down at the girl through teary eyes. "I know. I…it's just not fair. I didn't want to be the Avatar. I just wanted to look after my mother. I don't even know where she is! I'm just being treated like this because of what I am, not who I am."

Aana nodded. "Then maybe you're not showing people who you are?" she suggested.

The Avatar frowned and was about to retort before he considered the statement more. Everyone had met the Avatar, but nobody had met Jahn. They saw just another face; a face that used to be Korra's, a person they loved fully and without thought or consequence. He was more than that, so maybe it was time to show them.

"Thank you, Aana. You're pretty wise for a kid," he said quietly.

"Yeah."

They stood there in silence for a while, adult and child, equals regardless of age.

Eventually, Jahn had to ask. "Do you think you could teach me about Korra? I'd like to know more about her."

The girl smiled. "Of course. Although you could ask her too! I'm sure she'd tell you aaaaaaanything", she said, emphasising the 'anything' with a sweeping gesture.

Jahn chuckled. "Well, some things are best left private! Anyway, it was Korra that told me to come here anyway…" he mused.

Aana looked at him sharply. "You already talked to Korra? I must tell great-grandfather! He'll want to know who the next Avatar after him will be!" she said loudly, running away inside quickly.

Jahn was perplexed. 'Next Avatar'? To his knowledge, her great-grandfather had been Avatar Aang. But he'd been dead a very long time now. Her memory was clearly slightly muddled.

A dreadful suspicion took hold of him, one he wished was not true. If that was a symptom, he'd seen it daily for the last ten years. Was that just a simple mistake, or something far, far worse?


((Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter! Please feel free to review any pros or cons and suggestions for anything! Feedback is always most welcome!))