Earth

Fire

Air

Water

Only the Dual Avatars master of all four elements can bring balance to the world.

Book III: Change

Chapter IV: The Metal Clan

Korra airbends the ball far so that Naga can catch it, while Wan on the sidelines writes in his journal. Lin stands there crossing her arms at the Dual Avatars, "While you're playing fetch, and while Wan writes in his diary, the four of the most dangerous criminals are hunting you two down. We should get moving." Wan huffs as he closes his journal, "First, this is a journal, second, we are the Dual Avatars. And I'm the first Avatar. Trust me, I don't think they stand a chance between me and Korra." Wan smirks a bit boastfully, Korra then adds to this, with a bit of a smile on her face. "Besides, no one knows where we are except us." Naga comes back and drops the red ball on Lin's feet. Wan smiles at the polar bear dog, "I think she wants you to throw it, Lin." The Chief looks down to see the grossly covered ball and Naga whimpering, "I'll pass."

Asami rushes out and meets the Dual Avatars, "We just got a call from the radio about another airbender."

"Finally," Korra exclaims excitedly, "Where?"

"A city called Zaofu, the home of the Metal Clan," Asami answers, Wan immediately notices Lin's uneasiness at the city's name. Wan questions her, concerned, "Lin, you okay?"

"I'm fine," The chief says defensively, "I don't want you two going there. I would rest a lot easier if you were back at Republic City." Lin folds her arms, Wan grunts a bit out of annoyance for Lin's protectiveness of the Duo. "Sorry but we're kinda banished, we can't go back."

"if there's an Airbender in Zaofu, then that's where we are going next," Korra replies, Lin glares to the side and huffs in disapproval.


Ms. Nami, now in air nomad clothes, is eating, it's quite a new change for the former librarian, but she is willing to help rebuild a nation, besides Air nomad studies are far more interesting. She is sitting next to Daw who realized they were airbenders on the same day, or rather he was on a bridge and the Avatar duo had to calm him down. The two newbies with the airbending children walk to the two, Daw quickly gets up with his airbending and bows. "It's so nice to meet you. How exciting. New friends."

Ms. Nami gets on her feet, bowing at the new airbenders, "Pleasure to meet you both."

"Excuse me, hello?" A voice says. Ms. Nami turns to see a Zaheer with a clean-shaven head and beard cut off, "My name is Yorru. I heard this is the place to come to if you're a new Airbender." Zaheer shows a small vortex in his hand, Ms. Nami gasps as she mumbles, "Oh Heavens, Wan was right, more airbenders are popping up."

"Wan?" Zaheer asks, unaware of this name, he is aware of the dual Avatars, and of Korra. but he hasn't heard about this name. The former Liberian nods, "Oh yes, Avatar Wan, the first Avatar reborn, one of my favorite pupils." She smiles at the thought of him. 'Interesting, this must be his closest ally,' Zaheer thinks. "He sounds like a joy to be around," he responds with a small smile. The woman grins at this, "Ah, he's such a bright one, he studied so much in my old job. Sometimes I would see him with a pile of books on the floor." She giggles warmly at this.

"Mom, we got another one!" Ikki calls out to the other room, Zaheer smiles as his deception has come to full motion.


The First Avatar watches in amazement as he sees overhead the airship, an entire city made of metal in the shape of a lotus flower, with smaller metal flowers along the main one. Wan is completely breathless at the city. "This is incredible, definitely a step up from Ba Sing Se!" Korra giggles at Wan, meanwhile Bolin is gushing at the city as much as Wan, maybe even more. Lin on the other side, seems unimpressed.

The airship gracefully lowers itself on the landing pad, metal benders use metal strings to loop it around a hook under the airship to connect the metal cable to the airship. Two other metal benders bend to build a stairway for the airship's passengers. Bolin is the first one to rush out, excited, the rest of the group walks out calmly while Lin chooses to stay inside. Wan's mouth pokes out a bit at this but he says nothing. Once Dual Team Avatar walks out, they are greeted by a man in green and yellow robes who bows with his hands clasped. "Dual Avatars, Avatar Korra and Avatar Wan. It is an honor to meet you both. My name is Aiwei."

Wan and Korra bow in acknowledgment of the man, "Thanks for having us."

Aiwei gestures to Dual Team Avatar behind them, "Is this everyone?"

"Yep! That's about it, just us five." Wan's tone is chipper as he gives a reassuring smile. Aiwei, however, stiffens at Wan's attitude. Wan's hands go on his hips, "So, uh, can we meet the new Airbender?"

"Right this way." Aiwei gestures for them to follow, Wan's eyes wander around the city; he gasps as he looks at all the technology and innovation. They all board a train, Wan stares out at the window as they pass by a statue of Toph. "That statue honors the first metalbender, Toph Beifong, who expanded the possibilities of what benders were capable of. Here, everyone is encouraged to reach his, or her, highest potential." Aiwei explains to the group before Wan can even ask. Bolin steps in, more excited about the city than Wan is. "Does Toph live here? Are we going to get to meet her?" Wan blinks awkwardly at this, then points at him while speaking to Aiwei, "As he said."

"I'm afraid not. She would visit from time to time, but years ago she left to wander the world, in search of enlightenment. No one has seen her since." Dual Team Avatar is disappointed by this, Wan sighs as he lowers his head. The train stops at the edge of the city, right at the edge. "Wow. Is this where the Airbender lives?" Korra asks, Aiwei nods as he stands up and so does the rest. "Yes. But first, her mother wants to meet you."

They are led into a dance studio where a group of dancers are practicing. They use metal cords with extreme gratefulness, gliding up and down. Wan looks on in awe. "Wow, this reminds me a lot of our spiritual dance," Wan whispers to Korra, who nods in response. One particular dancer stops and looks at Dual Team Avatar, then looks on at her dancers. "That's it for today everyone." While everyone else packs and leaves, she walks up to the team right next to Aiwei. "Allow me to introduce the matriarch of the Metal Clan, Suyin."

"Please call me Su. Great to finally meet you, Avatar Korra and Avatar Wan." She bows at them, Dual team Avatar does the same, "And this must be Mako, Bolin, and Asami."

"Wow, you do your research huh?" Mako states, Suyin nods, "I make it my business to know who's visiting my city."

"Wow, you're an amazing dancer," Wan compliments the older woman, she replies with, "Dancer. Leader. Wife. Mother. Collector of rare meteorites. You'll find people here have many skills and interests." Aiwei leans into Suyin's ear and whispers to her, her eyes widen and she glances at Wan with suspicion and unhappily says, "Wan, why did you lie when Aiwei asked if there was anyone else with you?" Wan glances at Korra surprised, his copper eyes widening at this. Meanwhile, Bolin gasps, clasping his hands on his mouth.

"How did you?" Korra asks, turning back to Suyin, "How did you know Wan was lying?"

"I'm a truth seer. When people lie, their heart rate and breathing increase." Aiwei explains, Wan huffs a little. "I can sense the most subtle of changes."

"Thanks to Aiwei, there are no secrets in our city," Suyin adds, having a small grin. "Expect Aiwei. He could be hiding anything for all we know," Wan says under his breath, not liking that he was read so easily. Korra sighs as she admits, "We came with Republic City's Chief of Police. She didn't want anyone to know she was here."

"Lin's here? Well, I would love to say hello," Su smiles excitedly, while Wan seems confused "How do you know her?"

"I'm her sister," Suyin replies simply.

"What!?"


Ms. Nami is hit by another panel from the spinning gate, she pants as she falls down on her back. The woman groans as Meelo looks above her. "Be the leaf!" Her hands cover her face, even more frustrated, "What does that even mean!?" she throws her hand up. Zaheer calmly walks past the group and begins his way through the gates with ease. The former librarian blinks, surprised, same as the rest of the group. Kya walks up to the training courtyard watching Zaheer. The man finishes and turns, clasping his hands in respect for Meelo.

"Now, that man is a leaf," Meelo grins. "Apparently so." Ms. Nami looks on as Zaheer bows at Meelo, "A student is only as good as his master." The little Airbender bows back to Zaheer. The librarian looks at Zaheer with a newfound suspicion, something isn't sitting right with her about him. Kya soon interrupts her thoughts, "Great news! I just got a message from Tenzin. He's with a whole group of other airbenders at the Northern Temple and he wants all of you to join them. We leave first thing in the morning."

"Wonderful!" Ms. Nami perks up as she gets on her feet with her airbending, clasping her hands together. "And the Dual Avatars are with him?" Zaheer asks, sending more suspension through the women's back. She doesn't mind him asking about Wan, she adores the first avatar and his intelligence. He is her prized pupil. However, the more she talks to Yorru the more she feels something malevolent is going on.

"That's unfortunate. I was really looking forward to meeting them." Zaheer looks disappointed by this, Ms. Nami feels something in her heart; something is drastically wrong.


Wan is in his own thoughts, things went so fast for him. Suyin practically introduced most of her family. And the new Airbender Opal. Lin and Suyin seemed to have some type of...rivalry or bitterness? The first Avatar couldn't really tell. Now he is sitting next to Korra at the dinner table, at Suyin's home. "So," Wan whispers at Korra, "How long do you think we'll be here?"

The female Avatar shrugs, then whispers back, "Not sure…Besides, it's not bad here, it's practically safe as Suyin said."

"I know, but we should still keep our guards up. Whoever these… criminals are,I have a feeling they will be after us wherever we go."

"Agreed," Korra nods, then Suyin turns to her, "How's your search for the new airbenders going?" Korra shugs, "Could be better, We had to rescue a whole group of them from the Earth Queen."

"A tyrannical Queen at that," Wan adds with a hint of resentment. Suyin adds to this, "The idea of even having a queen is so outdated. Don't you two agree?"

"I mean, I don't really think about it." Korra glances at Wan, Lin then cuts in with a sarcastic remark, "Hey, everyone. My little sister is an expert on world affairs now!" Wan glances down as he sips his tea in silence, as Suyin replies, "You want to talk about what's really bugging you? Because I'm right here!"

"That's none of my business," Wan mumbles under his breath. Soon his eyes catch two familiar figures dressed in Zaofu clothing and his mouth gapes in shock. "Sorry, we're late, everyone." Varrick says. "Varrick!?" Wan gasps. "What are you doing here?" Asami says bitterly to the businessman, Wan glances at Korra who looks just as stunned. "Great question, Asami. I mean, what are any of us doing here? Wow, food for thought. Anywho, how's our company doing?"

"You mean my company. Future Industries reverted back to me after you plotted to abduct the President." Asami retorts, Varrick quickly wits back with, "Allegedly plotted to abduct the President. Never convicted."

"You escaped prison," Wan retorts with sass as his eyebrows arch. "Of course you wouldn't be convicted."

"Good Old Avatar Wan sass," Varrick smirks at the first Avatar who rolls his eyes at the businessman. "No, the universe decided to set me free. So, I looked up my old friend Suyin here, pitched her a few ideas, and bam! We're in business together. I've seen the future, and the future is magnets! I'm working on a high-speed rail that would revolutionize transportation and shipping as we know it. But that's not all, I'm-"

Lin soon stands up at this, snapping at her sister, "All right, enough! I'm trying to keep the Dual Avatars safe and you're harboring a criminal?"

"Ease out, Lin. Sure Varrick's made a few mistakes in his past, but that doesn't mean he should pay for it for the rest of his life. My chef was a pirate, but now he's a culinary master. People change." Suyin responds but her sister points at her with an accusing finger, "You haven't!" She walks out of the dining room. Wan blinks awkwardly at this, and before Korra can intervene Wan shakes his head.


Zaheer sneaks inside of Tenzin's study. He glances at a small shrine of an Air Nomad and takes the amulet, with Guru Laghima on it. He opens the amulet to read the inside,"'Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty and become wind.'" The man is soon interrupted by a tired Ikki, who rubs her eyes, awakening from her sleep, "What are you doing? No one's allowed in Daddy's study except Daddy." Zaheer turns to the young girl, "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep."

"What were you reading?"

Zaheer kneels down to her level, showing her the golden amulet, smiling at her, "A poem by Guru Laghima, the wisest Airbender who ever lived." Kya walks in on them, "Ikki, it's past your bedtime, c'mon." The younger Airbender waves at the man walking out, "Night."

"Good night," Zaheer repesonds, Kya's attention soon turns to Zaheer, her eyes narrow as her suspicion finally comes to the surface. "You seem to know a lot about Airbender history for someone who just got airbending. You moved through those gates like a natural."

"Where did you say you were from?" Kya says as she finally realizes who the man is, she clenches her fists. "A small village up north. You've probably never heard of it." Zaheer replies, Kya quickly bends water from the fountain next to her and incircles it around her, projectile icicles attacking the man, "I know who you are, Zaheer!" Zaheer quickly grabs the staff and defends himself with it, he jumps out of the window preparing his escape but Kya follows and uses her water to pull him down by his right leg, slamming him down. Kya prepares to freeze him but he quickly escapes, effectively knocking everyone and the white lotus sentries down. He opens the glider, "Sorry, I won't be joining you at the Northern Air Temple. I'm afraid I have other plans." With that he flies off.


Korra sighs as she slumps into Wan's room, groaning as her face hits the bed, Wan closes his book, "What happened?" Wan rubs his temples knowing that his partner has gotten herself into something she shouldn't have. "I tried to let Opal talk to Lin...but-"

"She basically rejected it didn't she?" Wan finishes as he opens the book back up. "Yeah and she practically yelled at Opal." Wan winces as he turns the page, "Well, that's not exactly our problem Korra, it's wrong to get into a family drama that isn't yours." Korra slumps as she lowers her head, "You're right."

"And I know I am," Wan smirks, Korra blushes as she realizes Wan is indeed shirtless, again. As he sits up from his bed, the water tribe Avatar yawns, "Ima go take a shower, since we share the same room...mind if you do not look at me-"

"Ugh, yeah sure, I respect your privacy," Wan says blushing a bit, his mind wandering at his partner, who is...Wan quickly shakes his thoughts off. Policing it firmly, no way. He isn't attracted to her whatsoever. The shower starts to run and Wan can hear it, his heart beats faster and he turns to his side focusing on his book intensively. "You know, I'm really glad Su let us have the same room, I mean, sure we have to share a bathroom but it's not like we like each other." Wan blushes furiously as his whole face is hot, "Ugh Yeah! I feel the same way." Korra finishes as she exits the bathroom, her hair wet and down and a towel covering her body. Wan is tempted to look at her, he clenches his eyes. "Okay, you can look now," she says and Wan opens his eyes to see Korra in a white tee shirt and gray baggy pants. Her hair is out and the girl yawns, stretching, while Wan is composing himself. The female avatar turns off the lamp on her side of the room and snuggles in her bed. Wan does as well, as the tension starts to settle in on their relationship.