AMS
YOU ARE THE AVATAR
Tenzin took his wife, brother, and sister into the kitchen while Quey sat down next to Rohan who was playing with building blocks to take his mind off the upcoming test, whatever it was.
"You think Quey is the Avatar based on what he saw and that dream after his adopted parents were murdered by bloodbenders?" asked Kya. "I thought the Avatar, born in the next nation in the cycle, would earthbend first before airbending. Especially since airbending is earth's natural opposite."
"Well, the Avatar essentially can bend all four elements. Why, Korra, who was born water tribe, picked up firebending much easier than waterbending. Not to mention how quickly she picked up earthbending. The Avatar struggles with the element opposite their personality, not opposite their nationality after all, and Quey has quite the nomad personality about him," explained Tenzin.
Bumi put his hand up to his chin.
"If Quey turns out to be the Avatar, that means he is already so close to mastering air, the element that Korra struggled with. But that also means he might struggle with learning how to earthbend, not to mention he will have to learn how to metalbend since most of the world has metalbenders now. A-a-and none of that probending nonsense! Korra lost more fights than won because of that silly style of bending. You, my little brother, can hold your own much better against others because of your traditional style. Don't say it's because the world doesn't know how to fight against airbenders yet. Korra was doing air punches and people easily dodged those," said Bumi.
"I agree. Traditional style of bending is much more superior to the new style that all the young people are doing. It's a disgrace and mockery of bending itself. It's great for the game, probending, but not for the Avatar doing Avatar duties," agreed Tenzin.
"Okay, but what's the test going to be?" asked Pema.
"All we have that belonged to Korra is her arm band. I'm going to go to the department store in Republic City and buy three water tribe items. If he picks the arm band out of the items, that will mean he is the Avatar. This is the oldest trick in the book to find the Avatar," whispered Tenzin.
After Tenzin said that in his lowest voice, they all popped their heads to look out and see if Quey heard anything. But Quey was too busy helping Rohan build a house with the building blocks and laughing. Pema handed Tenzin the money and he left through the back door. The adults went in the room to sit down with the boys.
"So what's the test going to be?" asked Quey, suddenly looking nervous.
"Tenzin's just gonna put random items in front of you. One of those items have belonged to the previous Avatar. If you choose the item that belonged to her, then that means you're the Avatar," explained Kya, smiling.
"That sounds like it's broke. What if I do pick the item, but just because I think it's the coolest out of the group of items, and not at all meaning I'm the Avatar," asked Quey.
"Well, it's a test that has never failed before in history," replied Pema, remembering reading all about the history of searching for Avatars, and how to successfully find one much quicker than waiting for the Avatar State or multiple bending to show first. It was a trick used for children a little bit younger than Quey. Normally they would wait until the Avatar turned sixteen before they told them who they were. But Aang was a special case since war was coming soon, and the monks knew. Korra was also a special case, since she started bending other elements at a young age. And Quey is the third special case, since the world doesn't have enough airbenders to help the whole world all the time in the Avatar's absence. The world needs its Avatar to return, and soon. Very soon. Pema smiled brightly at the thought of Quey being the Avatar. Bolin and Opal could meet their son, and Bolin would freak out in a good way over his son being the Avatar and Opal would be hugging Quey while crying tears of joy. The airbenders would get to help the new Avatar, and it would definitely take a lot off their plate.
"Even if I am the Avatar, I can't beat those bloodbender's leader. He can bloodbend psychically without the full moon. How in the world am I supposed to beat that?" asked Quey, trying to find reasons not to go back.
But Quey already knew the answer because of that dream he had, and what happened in the end. Aang entered the Avatar State, and broke the bloodbending grip. But he didn't tell them that, but they already knew about that because of it being in the papers and someone documented it in a book.
"The Avatar State can break any grip of bloodbending. Avatar Aang went into the Avatar State against Yakone and took away his bending. But, Korra never learned how to take bending, but she did know how to restore bending since she faced off against Yakone's son, and he somehow used his bloodbending to take away others' bending including herself. Yes, that's right. He took her bending, and Aang restored her bending, and in turn she restored everyone else's," explained Pema.
Quey didn't like the fact that Aang had allowed so many evil people to live in the world after they took so many lives. Quey shook his head at Aang. It doesn't matter if they can bend or not, Aang. These people find a way, even as nonbenders, to wreak havoc onto the world, kill people still, and worse things.
"Korra said Amon's real name was something else. A water tribe name, of course. But I can't remember. Oh well. At least he and his brother died in that boat explosion. But it looks like bloodbending without the full moon is something known to a new person," said Kya.
"Amon's real name is Noatak, and he is still alive. He's the leader of the bloodbenders in Ba Sing Se," said Quey.
"He survived?" squeaked Pema.
Quey sighed and nodded.
"Whoever the new Avatar is, they need to learn how to access the Avatar State to beat him. But, something else I learned when I was there, surviving," said Quey. "They're going to invade the other Earth Kingdom cities, except for Zaofu since there's no way to invade that city. Once they take over Omashu, then, next Winter, they are going to invade the Fire Nation. They're saving Republic City and the airbenders for last. They let me live, but to them it didn't matter since in their endgame, they're going to kill the airbenders again."
"This is like when Ozai was around," muttered Bumi.
Kya and Pema nodded.
"Yeah. This guy is literally a water tribe version of Ozai," nodded Pema. "But I thought his main thing was equality."
"Near death experiences can change people," suggested Kya.
"I know that's why I'm the way I am now. I'm kooky because I learned from the many times I nearly died that you gotta live life to the fullest," said Bumi, cracking his crooked smile.
Just then they heard the door fly open and Tenzin came in, holding a bag with items in them. He decided to place the arm band third to last to throw him off. First, he sat down a water tribe mug. Then, he sat down a pre-made betrothal necklace. Third, he sat down Korra's arm band. Lastly, he sat down a newly manufactured polar bear dog whistle. Quey looked at all the items. He pushed back the mug, then he pushed back the necklace. He pushed back the whistle.
"Heh, this is a rad arm band," said Quey, slipping it on the exact same arm Korra used to wear it on. "It feels...right."
Tenzin and the adults couldn't stop their creepy smiling as they all joined hands and did a circle dance of joy. Quey groaned, wanting to hide. He knew by their reactions that he passed the test. Even the spirits around on the island were crowding at the windows.
"I knew there must have been a reason all the spirits always watched me during training," he muttered.
"I have to call Opal and Bolin and tell them the good news! And then, I'll call all the other airbenders and tell them. Quey, we will continue your airbending training while we travel to have you meet the other airbenders!" excitedly said Tenzin.
"Well, at least I can still continue my training. Uh, can I still get the tattoos when I become a master since I'm technically born into the Air Nation?" asked Quey, suddenly nervous he won't get the tattoos of his dream.
"Of course! You were born into the Air Nation, silly," smiled Kya.
Quey sighed and slumped back down in his seat, then cracked an eye open to see Rohan staring at him.
Rohan put his finger up in between Quey's eyes.
"You're the Avatar?" he asked.
Quey grimaced.
"I guess so." He then closed his eyes as the sounds of the adults rejoicing and then calling his real parents and the other airbenders filled his ears.
He wished he could be as excited about it as they were, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Then he wondered why he was never able to make a connection with Korra during all his time of meditation.
Maybe because I meditated to clear my mind and give myself hypothetical battles rather than try and focus on her spirit, he thought. He decided that that made more sense.
"What I don't understand is how you were able to see Aang's flashback since when Korra fought against Unavaatu, he destroyed her connection with the past Avatars," Tenzin said after he and the others calmed down.
"What? The connection to the other past Avatars were severed? But then...wait," said Quey, chuckling. "I'll bet before the connection was severed, Aang showed Korra that vision. The only possible explanation was that vision was shown to me through Korra's memories of seeing it."
"Of course! That does make sense. She saw the vision, so of course she would be able to show you that vision too. I urge you to meditate on Korra's spirit. Perhaps she can show you more things to help you on your journey. With how spiritual you are already, I have no doubt this will come as an easy task for you," said Tenzin.
Quey nodded. Pema gathered the items off the table, but then tripped on something. Without another thought but purely on instinct, Rohan shot out his hand and airbended for the first time to cushion Pema's fall. Rohan blinked, unsure if that was real or not while Bumi, Kya, Tenzin, Quey, and Pema all looked at Rohan with wide eyes and gaping jaws. Rohan then turned his hand around to look at his palm, and he blinked some more, then turned to look at his father.
"Did I do that?" he asked.
"Yes, my son. You're an airbender," Tenzin said, smiling so wide his wrinkles were more pronounced than usual.
Rohan smiled and started laughing.
"I'm an airbender!" shouted Rohan.
That night, Pema took them all out to Quan's in Republic City.
"I still can't believe that there are still a lot of people living in Republic City. I betcha they were all born and raised here, and that's why they refuse to leave," said Pema.
"I agree. Republic City just is not safe for the time being, but these people are still so stubborn. A good chunk of it is covered in spirit vines where spirits are living, and with how many buildings are falling apart, it just isn't safe," Tenzin shook his head then looked at Quey. "I called the airbenders, and they can't wait to meet you, Avatar Quey."
Tenzin felt so happy to finally be able to call someone Avatar. It has been too long for his liking. Quey felt nervous everytime Tenzin used the Avatar word on him. It made him remember Noatak's threat of not getting in his way.
"When we meet the airbenders, can we ask them to not call me the Avatar around other people? I kinda don't want Noatak to hunt me down while I train. Perhaps we should disguise me everytime we go to a nation to train me in an element too, just so no one suspects me of being the Avatar," whispered Quey in Tenzin's ear.
Tenzin stroked his beard and nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, you are right. We cannot let anyone know who you are yet. Only the airbenders will know, and it will be our secret from the world until you are ready to face Noatak," said Tenzin.
Quey sighed as the others agreed with the idea.
"I just can't wait for Bolin and Opal to see you. You should have heard your mother on the phone. She was crying tears of joy," said Pema, thumbing through the menu with a smile on her face.
Oh that's right. Because of me being the Avatar, I'll get to meet my parents and help relieve their stress of not traveling a lot and protecting places constantly. Quey allowed a small smile to that thought. He likes the idea of helping people. It's in his nature.
"What can I get you all tonight?" asked the waiter.
Tenzin, Quey, Pema, and Rohan ordered the vegetarian platter to share while Bumi and Kya ordered a meat platter. The waiter took their orders and left to give the order to the chef.
"You're the first," Kya started before Quey gave her a look which she then stopped herself to think of how to say it, "uhhh, you're the first...one... that will learn...things! In a non traditional order."
Quey understood what she meant and nodded. He still hated how everyone was so excited about him being the Avatar. It's like, okay I get it. I'm the Avatar. Can we please be quiet about it now?
"How long do you think until the food gets here?" asked Rohan. "I'm hungry."
Pema looked around. "It's very busy tonight. Most likely a little under an hour."
Quey decided to use that time to meditate on Korra's spirit, if he could. Despite it being busy, it wasn't incredibly loud, and he had learned to meditate around his loud bloodbending neighbors that would always make so much ruckus and laugh boisterously. What he didn't know if he could or not yet was find Korra's spirit. But he had to try. Sitting in a lotus position in the booth and folding his hands together, Quey closed his eyes and began to try and search for Korra's spirit. It wasn't at all like normal meditating where he would normally clear his mind. In this one, he had to use his mind and every fiber of his being. It was difficult. Not at all what normal airbending monks do. He inwardly scoffed at himself. Not all airbending monks are the Avatar, he sniped at himself. The Avatar. He needs to search for the last Avatar to have caused Republic City to be engulfed in vines. The Avatar who didn't kill Noatak. Why did she not kill him? Did she not have the Avatar State yet? He decided he would ask her when he finds her. But until then...where are you Korra?
"Your vegetarian platter, and your meat platter. Enjoy," said the waiter.
Tenzin started delicately putting the steamed vegetables onto a separate plate while Rohan was using his chopsticks to eat right off the platter. Pema was doing the same as Rohan since no one on her side was eating off the platter. Quey was still meditating, his eyebrows furrowed together and sweat beads forming on his head.
"Daddy, why does he look stressed while meditating? Isn't he good at it?" asked Rohan.
Tenzin and the other adults all looked at Quey and were worried for him. Tenzin lightly poked Quey in the shoulder. Letting out a breath he was holding, quite loudly, Quey wiped the sweat from his head.
"You okay?" asked Tenzin.
"Why were you so stressed out?" asked Pema before thinking something. "Wait, don't tell me. Korra gave you a vision and it was stressful to watch?"
Quey shook his head dejectedly.
"No. I was stressed out because I never meditated to search for someone before. I'm so used to clearing my mind, not using it to its full potential. Anyway, I was unable to find her," responded Quey who grabbed a plate and used his chopsticks to fill his plate.
"Well don't worry, Quey. I'm sure you will find a way. All other...you know who's did," said Tenzin, choosing his words carefully. "You just have to be patient."
For some reason, hearing Tenzin say the last part made Quey annoyed. But why? Quey was good at being patient.
