"How could they let someone who looks so evil be a prosecutor?"

"He really was that bad?" Han asked. He ducked, dodging the spout of fire Shen punched at him. He lowered his body down, trying to sweep Shen's leg.

"He smiled when talking about my execution. You can't get more evil than that." He jumped up over Han's leg, but as he landed, Han punched the air in front of Shen, spewing out a small ball of fire. Shen ducked to avoid it, but as he did, Han grabbed the cuff of his shirt and held his fist over Shen's face. He dropped Shen to the ground.

"Gah," Shen groaned. "You couldn't have let me down slowly?"

"It's more fun this way," Han said, smirking. "You did good."

"Thanks." Shen and Han had been practicing firebending for the last few weeks. Slowly but surely, Shen was improving. Shen had been practicing more over the last few days. The trial was only a couple weeks away, and he needed all the distraction he could get.

"So, this attorney—you're saying you think he purposefully wants you dead?"

Shen shook his head. "Not him specifically. He might, given that he is a sadistic freak. I think someone's directing him to purposefully seek out the death penalty."

"Well, it seems obvious to people the police are using you to cover their tracks."

"No, I think it's someone higher up than that," Shen stood up. "Why would the police be that set on killing me? Your dad hates me, but not that much."

"So who is it then? The President?"

Shen shook his head again. "He's been publicly supportive of me. It might be someone in the private sector." Han thought for a moment.

"Maki Sato then? She's the richest person in the world."

"Maybe," Shen sat down on a bench, "But her mom was Avatar Korra, and she doesn't have any reason to want me gone, business-wise."

"How was her relationship with her mom?"

"I'm not sure."

Han sat down next to Shen. "We should talk to someone who knew them personally—try and get the full story. Do you know anyone?"

"Let me think..." Shen thought, rubbing his chin. Suddenly, he remembered someone.

"Actually I do." He sat up from the bench. "Han, get the car going, because we're going to see an old friend of mine."

"Who?"

"Abbess Jinora, leader of the Air Nomads."

###

"Ugh, I'm not feeling so good." Han gagged, leaning over the side of the boat. He and Shen were being ferried across the bay towards Air Temple Island. Slowly following the ferry was a small, black speedboat, a large, white version of the police badge emblazoned on its side.

"How are you seasick? We've been out for only fifteen minutes." Shen said, patting Han's back.

"I don't like water," he groaned.

"Well you'll have to wait it out a few more minutes, okay?" Han nodded before leaning back over the side. Shen looked out across the water.

Towering above them was the statue of Avatar Aang, staring off into the horizon. Shen stared into the eyes of his predecessor. He had heard stories about the great Avatar Aang, who ended the Hundred Year War and founded Republic City as a teenager.

Shen thought about what legacy he would leave behind. With his upcoming trial, up until that point, he had been primarily thinking about the present moment, and occasionally the past in nostalgia. He rarely thought about the future. The trial would probably be the only worthwhile event of his tenure, perhaps even the only one.

How could he ever stand out? He was merely Shen Li, some kid from the middle of nowhere desert. The thought that Shen's time as Avatar, especially the murder trial, would be forgotten brought some comfort to him.

Suddenly, the boat slowed and came to a halt. A mechanical chime played and a female voice spoke: Welcome to Air Temple Island.

"Oh, thank Yangchen!" exclaimed Han. He ran for the exit. "Get me off of this thing." Shen followed, trailing behind. As the two of them walked towards the large temple, one person wearing orange robes ran down the dock to them.

"Avatar Shen," they said, bowing nervously. "W-we weren't expecting you. We're preparing a meal for you right away."

"Thank you for the offer, but no need," Shen replied, holding up his hand. "We just came to talk to Abbess Jinora."

Han piped up. "I could actually eat something right about now. I, er, lost my lunch on the way here."

The acolyte clapped their hands. "Alright! Very well. We'll prepare something delicious for you. Right this way, sirs." They began to walk up the path. Shen glared at Han.

"What happened to 'in and out quickly'?"

"Well I didn't expect to vomit halfway through." Suddenly, Shen felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked to his right and saw no one. He felt a tap again, this time on his left. He looked again to see no one.

"Han, are you pranking me right now?"

"No, what do you mean? I'm just– GAH!" Han's shirt was pulled over his head. Shen heard giggling from behind. When he turned, he saw three baby flying bison, each with a person on them. On the largest was a teenage girl, slightly younger than Shen, laughing.

"Tara!" the acolyte yelled. "That is no way to treat the Avatar! You are almost seventeen years old, you should know that! And get your siblings down! You were supposed to be helping prepare."

"Do I have to?"

"What would your grandmother say?"

"Fine," Tara said, sighing. She lowered her bison to the ground, the other children followed suit. As she stepped off her bison, she looked at Shen, her eyes wide.

"So, you're the Avatar, huh? That must be nice. My grandma's grandpa was the Avatar, y'know—Avatar Aang. My name's Tara though."

Before Shen could respond, she turned towards Han. "What about you? Are you two friends or something? You sure are handsome."

Han blushed. "W-well, the thing is, I'm actually–"

"Tara!" the acolyte yelled. "Get you and your siblings to the temple this instant."

"Okay, okay! We're going. Sheesh…" Tara hopped back on her bison and flew towards the large building at the center of the island, gesturing for the two children to follow.

The acolyte sighed. "I'm sorry for their behavior. I wish Tara would sometimes act her age…"

Shen smiled. "No, it's fine! We find her, er, charming."

"Oh," the air acolyte said, "I'm relieved you're not annoyed. Because I sure am." They muttered the last sentence to themself, frowning. They grinned widely again—this time it seemed more forced.

"Shall we continue on?" The air acolyte led them up the path towards the temple. They led them into the temple, where they passed a group of monks chanting. They continued on up the stairs. Covering the walls were intricate murals. The acolyte saw Shen looking at them.

"Those were painted by Monk Meelo," they said. "They all depict an event in Air Nomad history." They pointed towards a scene with a tall bearded man with airbender tattoos. "That is Monk Meelo's father, Abbot Tenzin, son of Avatar Aang."

Shen stared in awe. They continued up the stairs and then down the hall until they reached what looked like a parlor. In the corner was a shrine, the smell of burning incense emanating from it. Sitting at a small table was the same woman Shen saw at City Hall, her hair tied in a bun.

"Remember," Shen whispered to Han. "We're here to talk about Maki Sato."

"Talk about who?" Also sitting at the table was a middle aged woman with tan skin. Her hair was black and brown, with a few gray hairs.

"Avatar Shen," Jinora said, bowing. "This is Maki Sato, head of Future Industries."

The woman bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, Avatar. I apologize I wasn't able to come to your first press conference, but we were really backlogged that day."

"Likewise." Shen shook the woman's hand. Maki looked at Han.

"And who is this?" She smirked. "Your boyfriend?"

As Shen blushed, Maki chuckled. "I'm kidding. Please, have a seat." Shen and Han sat in the two empty chairs at the table.

"So," Jinora said, "to what do I owe the pleasure? This is our first official meeting, right?"

"Er," Shen began. "Well, I just thought it was time to officially meet you. I need all the allies I can get, with the trial."

"It really is a shame that this is how you start your time as Avatar." Jinora sipped her tea.

"We have to make do with what we have though, no?" Shen replied.

"Of course," Jinora said, nodding.

"So, how are all your families?" asked Shen.

"Well," began Maki. "Akna is back at the South Pole with the kids."

"Akna?" Han interjected. "As in Chief Akna of the Southern Water Tribe?"

"Yes," Maki said, smiling. She pulled down her shirt to reveal the blue betrothal necklace on her neck. "I actually live there. I just come back home every once in a while to visit." Jinora answered next.

"Well, I've heard you already met Tara," Jinora said, chuckled. "Kai and I have one child and three grandchildren, though my siblings all have their own." She looked at Shen.

"Do you know my siblings' names?"

Shen thought for a second, trying to remember. "I–I don't think so."

"Hmm…" Jinora rubbed her chin. "It's interesting how you only remembered my name."

"That's actually why I came here."

"Oh?" Jinora said, sipping her tea.

"In a dream of mine, a spirit named Raava came to me and told me you would help me."

"Ah, I see. Well, I'll be happy to teach you air- and spirit-bending."

"I was actually hoping you would help me with something else."

"Oh," Jinora looked curious. "What is it?"

Shen paused for a moment. He chose his words carefully. "I think someone is pushing the death sentence on me to try and kill the Avatar." Silence befell the room. Shen glanced at Maki, who seemed just as surprised as Jinora.

"Do you have any evidence for this?"

"I– Well, nothing yet, but–"

"Then I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Shen frowned. "But–"

"Maybe if you had some tangible proof, it would be a little better, but even then, do you know how it looks when a world leader is making claims like this?"

"The lead prosecutor hinted he wanted me dead, and the police have suddenly gone quiet about their own misdeeds when I arrived."

"Are you implicating that there's some conspiracy? Avatar Shen, with all due respect—"

"I'll help," Maki said. "I can get you anything you need."

"Maki, are you really going to encourage this?"

"The Avatar has valid concerns," Maki replied. "And besides, I know you don't want to risk your reputation with this. But I don't have that same reputation. I'm in the private sector."

The abbess sighed, rubbing her temples. "Fine, but I don't condone any of this."

Shen looked slightly surprised. "W-wow, thank you, Ms. Sato, but—"

"Please, call me Maki. So, what's your plan?"

Han spoke, "We were thinking about contacting the president. He's been publicly supportive of Shen before, and he may be the last person in the government we can trust." Shen glared at Han.

Maki nodded, not noticing Shen. "Alright, I can contact him. I have his private number."
"How did you get that?"

"I have my ways," she said, winking. "Is there anything else you'll need?"

"Investigation," Han continued. "We were planning on starting with the police, as my dad's the police chief. Maybe you could investigate your business associates? See if anyone would have anything against the Avatar."

Maki nodded again. "Alright, I'll see what I can do."

Shen stood up from the table. "I'm sorry, but can I talk to my friend for a second?"

Maki nodded. "Of course."

Shen grabbed Han and went with him into the hall.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm getting her to help us," Han said.

"We were here to see if we could get dirt on Sato. And you just told her our entire plan?"

"I think we can trust her."

"Do you really?"

Han grabbed Shen by the shoulders. "Look, what other choice do we have? The ally your spirit friend already said no. And do you really think you can investigate the police, government and private sector on top of preparing for your trial by yourself? We need people, Shen. And fine, you don't have to trust her. But you trust me, don't you?"

Shen stared into Han's eyes again. No matter how often he did it he always felt equally mesmerized. He sounded like he was in a daze. "Of course." Han hugged him.

"No matter what happens, we'll stick together. This will work out in the end, I promise." As Shen was being held in his arms, he really hoped Han was right.