Chapter 3: Republic Revelations
Sen gathered his friends and waited in the Council Square of Republic City. The Kimani Corporation had erected a massive screen on the wall of a building just for the purpose of this demonstration. It would apparently be left up afterwards to run advertisements. Council Square was one of the most heavily trafficked areas in Republic City, so it made sense to advertise there. Sen kept a close eye on the screen.
Some distance away, on a large balcony, an oddly large number of police officers had gathered. Sen wondered what was going on.
"Probably President Dahaka," Ada suggested. Many world leaders had been invited to view the mysterious broadcast. The Kimani Corporation was promising something that would change the world. Dahaka would not be one to miss such a sight, even if he hadn't been invited. Sen stared at the balcony. Miyani had mentioned someone named Dahaka in her life story.
"Yeah, I think it's the same guy too," Suda said. President Dahaka had used his service in the Seventh Kingdom Uprising to catapult his political career forward. That combined with his natural charisma had given him a landslide victory in the last election.
Dahaka put his feet up on the railing of the balcony and ordered a few men to move to the right or the left. They were blocking his view.
"Sir, I'd recommend keeping the circle closed," Police Chief Dormin advised.
"Forget it," Dahaka sighed. "I'd rather get assassinated than attend that cabinet meeting anyway."
Dahaka had vastly overestimated how much fun being President would be. Most of his job was meetings and paperwork. Every now and then, though, he got a perk like this, and it almost made the whole thing worthwhile.
King Wu II was not particularly used to getting all dressed up. Although the United Earth Kingdom had voted to maintain the monarchy, the United Parliament had rendered the role of Earth King more like a figurehead. Prime Minister Tse held most of the real power. Wu II's responsibilities consisted of signing a few documents every day and wearing a crown on special occasions.
The Cabinet would be assembling in force today to watch the Kimani Corp.'s demonstration. As usual, Minister Raisu and Minister Rannoch Beifong would be seated some distance apart, to prevent any bickering. Raisu and his associates threatened civil war over the slightest disagreements. His Weaver's were a source of constant agitation for every province.
Things were very tense in the United Earth Kingdom. Though the Avatar had long since left their borders, all citizens of the Earth Nation were still heavily divided on the matter of what to do with the Avatar. Prime Minister Tse did his best to ensure that the provinces remained united, but it was a source of constant concern. The slightest agitation, the smallest upset in the conflict between Avatar and Energybender, could send the nation spiraling into civil war.
Though the Water Tribes had been divided as political nations, the adjacent Spirit Portals had, in fact, brought them closer together than ever. The Chiefs of the Northern and Southern Water Tribe attended any important political function together. Today, though, they seemed to have a third party.
"Chief Atana," The Southern Chief, Kesuk, said respectfully. "Please introduce me to your guest."
"This is Tinaaki, of the Shorewatchers," Atana said, gesturing to her companions.
Chief Kesuk bowed tersely to the new arrival. He had heard much of the Shorewatchers. They were a violent vigilante group that patrolled the North. Their methods were violent and relentless, but they kept the North safe, and for that reason they had gained much political clout. Kesuk had managed to keep them from spreading their "jurisdiction" to the South in the past, but as they gained more influence, their ruthless reach extended.
"Chief Kesuk," Tinaaki said. Kesuk noted that he did not bow to his superior. "It's my pleasure to finally speak with you face to face."
Kesuk had rejected many of Tinaaki's emissaries in the past. There was no love lost between the two.
"I'd like to introduce you to my son, Ariak," Tinaaki said. He gestured to his right. A young, cold-faced boy stood at Tinaaki's side. He had a different look about him than his father. Ariak actually bowed respectfully to the chieftain. Kesuk had heard that Tinaaki had two children. He wondered where the daughter was.
"We'll be watching today's demonstration as Chief Atana's invited guests."
Chief Atana's face said that the invitation had been very reluctant. Kesuk took a seat next to Tinaaki and resigned himself to watching today's spectacle in poor company.
Fire Lord Goto, uniquely among world leaders, had elected not to watch the Kimani Corporation demonstration. The events at Gai Zhu had given him a massive headache to deal with. Sixty enemy soldiers captured, the Avatar gone, and now the combustion bender was off wandering the world unrestrained. Goto had a lot on his plate. The broadcast began in the room adjacent to his office. Goto ignored the sound.
Agent Zouf slammed the door open. Luan and Zouf had retired to cushy desk jobs after the Gai Zhu incident. Zouf still had a persistent twitch from his close call with the Harrier's lightning. Goto figured that they had earned their new jobs.
"Sir, you'll need to see this."
Goto angrily removed himself from his seat, grumbling all the while. He stopped grumbling when he saw what was actually on the screen, though. Finally something interesting.
Sen could feel the pulse of Republic City through the ground. The city had a pounding heartbeat, a common drive that resounded through the soil of the city.
When the Energybender appeared on screen, that heartbeat stopped.
Some people screamed. Some people ran. Many others, like Sen, stood in silence, their eyes locked on the screen. For a minute, the Energybender stared blankly forward, perhaps waiting for the initial panic to subside. His eyes, shrouded in grey, stared towards the camera with indifference.
"My name is Sarin," He began. Sen glared up at the screen. Sarin. Finally, he knew the name of his enemy.
"For the past year I have pursued the Avatar. I have been forced to take extreme actions. The Avatar remains hidden still, purposefully endangering many lives."
Sen clenched his jaw. The Energybender was trying to frame him as the villain. Hopefully people wouldn't fall for this blatant ruse.
"The actions I've been forced to undertake in pursuit of my enemy has created an…incorrect, image of my ideals. The world thinks of me as a terrorist or a warmonger. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Sarin turned his head to the side, briefly lost in contemplation. There was much to be said. He decided to start at the beginning.
"I am not the first to be called Energybender. My older brother was responsible for the destruction of the White Lotus. My father was the one to rediscover the art. But it was my grandfather who set us on this path."
Sarin had never met his grandfather, but he knew the story well. It was the beginning of a story that Sarin would end.
"My grandfather was one of many who had their bending stolen by the Equalist leader, Amon, with his twisted bloodbending, and then restored, by Avatar Korra's Energybending. That incident sparked his curiosity, and over the next few years, as the battles between so-called "good" and "evil" unfolded, consuming countless lives, my grandfather began to see Energybending as the way to end these conflicts."
Sarin lowered his eyes, seeming to gaze at the crowds spread out before him. Many people had already fled the square, leaving it nearly half empty. Sen stood his ground, though.
"This power, my power, is the path to peace. True peace. An end to the ceaseless back and forth between the forces of order and chaos."
Sarin looked to the side again. This demonstration had been planned on rather short notice. His message was still slightly uncertain. He carried on, driven forward by conviction.
"After Harmonic Convergence, the existence of Raava and Vaatu, the competing spirits of Order and Chaos, became common knowledge. The twin Spirits of Conflict fuel the eternal battle between these two opposing ideals. The Avatar would have you believe that this conflict is eternal, necessary. That is untrue.
"During the Hundred Year War, Admiral Zhao killed the mortal form of Tui, the moon spirit, breaking the spiritual power of the moon. With the power of Energybending, I can unweave Raava and Vaatu from the fabric of reality."
Sarin stared forward intensely. His eyes seemed to be glaring at Sen specifically.
"Kill the moon spirit, the moon dies. Kill the Spirits of Conflict, and conflict itself dies."
The city fell silent and calm. Sarin paused as the whole world absorbed his ideals. He knew that his cause was righteous. It was time to make the rest of the world understand.
"I would create a true and lasting peace," Sarin continued. "No longer would we be subject to the anarchistic destruction of Chaos or the fascist oppression of Order. I would create a world without hatred, without violence, without fear. A world where no child would ever be orphaned by war, where no brothers would be turned against each other by petty political struggles, a world of one mind and one heart in absolute serenity."
Sarin paused again. The people crowded in Council Square began to talk amongst themselves. Many of them denounced his ideas, but there were a few who seemed to sympathize with his goals. Sen looked at Suda and Ada. They seemed confused as well, but for different reasons. They knew that Sarin was wrong, but this announcement greatly altered the nature of their journey.
"To the Avatar," Sarin began again. "I beg you to surrender. Every moment you walk this world is another moment of strife and death. Do the right thing. Put an end to the eternal conflict."
With that, Sarin vanished from the screen, and the city broke into full-scale panic. The crowd began to run and rush from side to side. Sen stood monolithic in the midst of the racing confusion. For a moment he stared up at the blank screen.
He finally knew what he was fighting for, and fighting against. For nearly a year his journey had been shrouded in confusion and mystery, as he faced an opponent he did not understand. Now he knew the Energybender's face, his name, his history, and his ideals. He wasn't fighting a mystery anymore, he was fighting a man. Men could be defeated.
Sen turned around and began a determined march to Air Temple Island.
President Dahaka had wasted little time in returning to his office. He didn't enjoy his job, but it came with responsibilities that he was more than ready to attend to. One such responsibility was preventing the outbreak of a full scale war.
"Dormin, I want as many officers as you can manage on the streets," Dahaka commanded. "There's going to be riots before this is over. Your first priority is ensuring order, but if you see anything even vaguely resembling Energybender activity, you have my permission to use State of Emergency protocols. Do whatever you have to do."
Dormin nodded firmly and sprinted off to confer with his men. This was going to be a very long day. Dahaka stormed forward and slammed open the doors of his office. As he had anticipated, most of his counselors and adjuncts were already gathered around his desk. Dahaka sat down and slammed his palms down on the desk.
"I want all our ambassadors in the United Earth Kingdom working overtime. If conflict starts, it's going to be there. We do everything we can to prevent that."
"What about the other nations, Sir?"
"I'll be getting in touch with Goto soon enough. I have a feeling he'll be more than ready to form a Coalition if things go south."
Dahaka had a hunch that the Fire Lord would already be preparing his armies. Hopefully they wouldn't be needed, but if the worst happened, Dahaka would be glad to have those forces on his side.
"And the Water Tribes?"
"We should give it time before we make any entreaties. They'll have their own problems."
"The Energybender has made a bold statement," Tinaaki declared. "You can't seriously think he'll remain in the shadows after a move like this."
"I'm not an idiot, Huntsman," Kesuk retaliated. "My nation's security forces are fully prepared to deal with any threats –without the aid of any Shorewatchers."
"We are offering assistance, Chief Kesuk," Ariak interjected. "With our help you will be able to protect more of your citizens."
"I've seen Shorewatcher protection. You're violent, you answer to no one but yourselves, and you have no respect for due process of law. The only thing you murderers will do is add more fuel to the fires in the South."
Kesuk broke away from the two Shorewatchers and turned to Chief Atana. The stress of the day bore heavily on her face. Northern military and security were woefully lacking these days; the security of her nation depended almost entirely on the Shorewatchers. If war broke out, the Shorewatchers might end up having more control over the North than the Chieftain did.
"I am truly sorry about this," Kesuk said apologetically. "I'll offer whatever assistance I can, but the Council of Elders believes you to be Tinaaki's lapdog. They'll tie my hands frequently."
Tinaaki gave Chief Kesuk a lingering glare as the Southern Chief walked out the door.
"When the fires start, make sure your people know it was you who turned down aid," Tinaaki scolded.
Kesuk did not dignify the Hunstman with a response. Tinaaki and Ariak left the chamber and began the long journey back to the Shorewatcher Lodge. There were hunters to be rallied and spears to be sharpened; there would be bloodshed before the day was done.
"Chaos reigns in the United Earth Kingdom today," The newscaster said. Her makeup was unfinished. It showed how desperate the news network was to be the first one to break the story.
"It's a scene out of the Red Lotus Riots in Ba Sing Se as hundreds are storming the streets in massive mobs. Clashes between rival groups have consumed some communities after Sarin, also known as the infamous Energybender, publicly announced his goals."
The screen switched to images of chaos and destruction throughout the Earth Kingdom. Tall pillars of smoke could be seen burning over Ba Sing Se.
"This reporter is forced to wonder: Where is the Avatar? In the past year since his supposed emergence, the Avatar has shown no signs that he or she is actively trying to protect us."
There was a large crowd gathered around the Televarrick. Everyone who didn't have one in their own household had come out to the electronics store to keep an eye on the situation. A tall figure at the back of the crowd seemed the least impressed with the newscasters attitude.
As the newscaster proceeded running through the events of the day, Miyani turned her back on the Televarrick and started walking towards the coast. This chain of events probably should have been stressful for her, but she actually felt some kind of relief. After defending Gai Zhu from the Energybender's retaliatory attack, she had been a bit lost about where to go, or what to do. Now she had a very clear goal. It was off to the United Earth Kingdom, to help quell the riots and attack the Energybender's allies.
As she walked, Miyani dug her hand into her pocket and removed the small stone brick that Sen had given her. She had to wonder how the Avatar was dealing with the days events.
Master Jung insisted that they begin right away. They had a Sky Bison prepared to travel immediately. Sen shut that down without a second though.
"Travelling to the temples would be a waste of time," Sen said. "I won't learn what I need to know there."
"That's where all the worlds airbenders are," Jung objected.
"That's not what I meant!"
Sen began to pace back and forth across the small chamber, gesturing wildly.
"For the first time in my life I know what I'm doing. The Energybender- Sarin, his plans all revolve around spirits. Around Energybending. I need to be on equal footing, I need to understand what he plans to do and how. I need to go to the Spirit World."
Jung was silent.
"I need to go the source. I can visit Wan Shi Tong's library, for starters. After that, I can seek out some of the old spirits, the ones who lived during the era of the Lion Turtles."
"Sen, the Spirit World is dangerous," Suda objected. "Even after all these years, it's barely been mapped out."
"I'm the Avatar," Sen said. "And Sarin just declared war on Raava. The spirits will be on my side. It'll be much safer for us than for him."
Ada nodded. Spirits usually avoided getting involved in mortal affairs, but this was no longer exclusively a mortal affair. Sarin was threatening to murder two of the most prominent Spirits in existence.
"I am really not a fan of this idea," Suda said. He was not fond of spirits. "But if you insist, I'll follow you."
"I'm sorry, Suda, but I am insisting. We're going to the Spirit World."
"Master Avatar, is that really the best plan? With your enemy acting so publicly, perhaps its time for you to reveal yourself. The Fire Lord and perhaps President Dahaka would certainly be willing to protect you, and without concern for your secrecy, you could train much more quickly. Maybe it's time to end the secrecy."
Jung had a point. Sen stopped planning for the Spirit World and began to debate with the airbending master. Perhaps it really was time to go public. Sarin had showed his hand, declared his identity and his goals to the whole world. Maybe Sen should do the same thing.
Oblivious to this all, Sang Lug was once again playing Pagu-Pagu. It was a suitable distraction from the events of the day. He didn't even notice their new guest. She sneered at the game board. She had always hated Pagu-Pagu. She wasn't fond of the person playing it either.
"Hey, Suck Lump, go find me the Avatar," She commanded. Sang Lug turned his head, and then jumped to his feet.
"You!"
"Yeah, me," Whistler said, clearly not amused. "Are you going to get me the Avatar or not? I can find him myself if I have to."
"You have a lot of nerve showing your face here," He declared. "You have never belonged here-"
Whistler saw an opportunity to be needlessly vindictive, and she took it. Grabbing her hair tightly in one hand, she pulled it up into a loose ponytail. She looked into Sang Lug's eyes.
"You-"
"Yeah, me."
Without her hair hanging in her face, Sang Lug could easily recognize his former partner. They had studied under Master Jung together. But she had vanished five years ago. They had thought she was lost, even dead. They had given her a funeral and everything.
"We thought you were dead! Were you just hiding from us all this time?"
"Pretty much, yeah," Whistler said dismissively. Several other airbenders were gathering, and she glared at them angrily. She hated the airbenders. They all wore the same clothes, acted the same way, played the same stupid games.
"I don't really need to talk to the Bald Brigade," Whistler shouted at them. "Somebody get me the Avatar."
"You've really been a criminal all this time?"
Whistler pulled a wallet out of her picket. It had a stranger's drivers license in the pocket.
"Pretty much, yeah. Look, if the Avatar isn't here, I'll just leave," Whistler said. She had no desire to be back on Air Temple Island. She'd left this place for a reason.
"I insist that you stay," Sang Lug said, and he took hold of Whistler's arm.
"I insist that you bite me, airhead," Whistler spat, and she tore her arm from Sang Lug's grip. Sang Lug was the first to lose his temper. The Pagu-Pagu cards went flying as air rushed through the courtyard.
The sound of screaming from outside interrupted Sen's planning. Crashing wood followed shortly after, and it became too much to ignore. Sen's first instinct was that Sarin had staged an attack, but his quick entrance to the courtyard proved that wrong. In the center of a circle of broken wood and scattered cards, Whistler swung her staff, deflecting an attack from one of the students. With a rapid spin of her aluminum staff, she sent one of several airbenders flying. Sen barely caught the poor student before he hit a wall.
"Oh hey Avatar," Whistler said casually as she saw Sen. Another one of the students tried to attack her, and she swiftly evaded the attack and retaliated in kind. Her cyclone did not miss its mark, and the burst of wind launched the student out of the courtyard. Sang Lug was the only one who had managed to evade her attacks thus far.
Jung emerged from the courtyard, taking in the scene. The sight of his former student filled him with confusion.
"Ah crud, I was really hoping you'd be dead by now," Whistler groaned. Jung took a step back. "I'm here for the Avatar. You stay out of it."
Sang Lug capitalized on Whistler's temporary distraction. She wasn't quite distracted enough. Forsaking airbending for the moment, Whistler slammed the end of her staff into Sang Lug's solar plexus, knocking the air from his lungs. He collapsed to the ground, breathless, and Whistler stepped over his prone body. Sen saw her foot hover briefly over his neck as she contemplated stomping down hard, but she decided against it and stepped forward.
"Stop this at once," Jung shouted.
"He started it," Whistler objected. "I came in peace, but he tried to fight me on account of I'm Whistler."
Jung looked even more confused than before.
"But- You disappeared, we looked for you-"
"I left, and I hid from you," Whistler said angrily. She looked around at the airbenders who had gathered to watch. "It's possible that I was bored, or maybe that I hate you all because you're hypocritical bald idiots. No, pretty sure it was the hypocritical bald idiots thing. But maybe the boredom too. A little of both."
Jung's heart sank as he heard the words of his former apprentice. Sen stepped forward.
"Enough! Why did you come here?"
"I want to renegotiate," Whistler said, looking at Sen. "I'm in."
She stared intently at Sen. He had not been expecting that. If anything, he had been expecting her to have sided with Sarin.
"You said you didn't care," Sen objected.
"That was before I found out what Howler was up to," Whistler explained. "I like being bad, and this Sarin jerk is trying to take that away. I figure you're the best chance to stop him."
"So you want to help me so you can keep being evil," Sen said mockingly. He stepped forward into the courtyard. "I'm supposed to trust you?"
"I care about the bad stuff just as much as you care about the good stuff," Whistler said. "I'm on your side, Avatar."
"Sarin is trying to destroy good and evil," Ada said. "Maybe we can trust her."
"Listen to the short chick," Whistler said. "You may not like me, and I definitely don't like you, but we're on the same side."
Jung stepped forward, shaking his head. He helped Sang Lug off the ground and began to argue against the Avatar. Whistler sneered at the elderly master.
"You do not need her! She is a renegade-"
"A renegade who just wiped the floor with some of your best students," Whistler added. "Come on, Avatar. I'm the best airbender here. I just wiped the floor with, like, four or eight of these guys."
"Four or eight," Jung said incredulously.
"Yeah, I don't know, all you bald idiots look the same to me," Whister said aggressively. "I might have just hit the same guys twice. Are you in or not, Avatar?"
"Master Avatar, I must insist! Sang Lug has been trained all his life to be your airbending master, you must go with him!"
The disoriented Sang Lug shook his head. Sen was the Avatar, and he was meant to train him? That explained why his tattoos had been kept from him. That explained so many of his problems. But Whistler was trying to take it away. His own partner had betrayed him for a life of crime, and was now trying to take his destiny away. He could not allow that. Sang Lug set his feet and flexed his hands, preparing to attack Whistler while her back was turned.
Sang Lug's feet were quickly trapped by stone and swept from under him. Sen could sense his intent to attack in advance. The Avatar would not be having any more violence today. He was very disappointed in Sang Lug. Sen turned his attention to the renegade airbender.
Suda didn't like this situation. Sure, he'd been a bandit before too, but he'd only done that to feed himself. It had been, in a way, necessary. Whistler had turned away from a home, a job, and a family to pursue a life of crime, and she showed absolutely no repentance for that. She was motivated by hatred and selfishness.
"If I take you with me," Sen began. "Can you promise me you won't hurt anyone innocent, or steal anything, or do anything else of the sort?"
"Yeah, I got self control" Whistler said. "I'm not some kind of wild animal. When I'm travelling with you, I promise to be as morally self-righteous and uptight as you are. I'll put a stick up my butt and everything."
"Avatar, please," Jung begged. "You do not need her! Did I not say it was time for you to reveal yourself?"
"Oh yeah, that's typical air-idiot," Whistler mocked. "Fall right into the bad guys trap."
Sen raised an eyebrow. Whistler elaborated.
"I'm bad," Whistler explained. She tapped her forehead lightly. "I know how bad thinks. How many times have you escaped the Energybender now? This whole announcement thing, he's trying to shake things up, make 'em different. He wants to change the game, because so far, you're winning."
She had a good point. Sen had been doing rather well so far, travelling in secret. He had little reason to change his course. Jung looked despondent as Sen resolved to travel with Whistler.
"We're going to the spirit world," Sen said. "That's alright with you?"
"Fine by me."
Sen nodded. He didn't like Whistler, but she was the best option. He was ready to finish this whole ordeal and get started, but Whistler had a few demands of her own to make.
"Now, let me make this clear. You decide where we go, and I don't get to do any criminal stuff, but other than that, you do not get to order me around. You don't tell me how to talk, how to act, and you absolutely do not tell me how to train you. You understand that? I'm following you because I want to, you are not in charge of me."
"Just don't push it," Sen cautioned.
"Same to you."
Whistler extended her hand. Sen reluctantly grabbed it and shook it. Their course was set now.
"Well, this is fun," Suda sighed. "Good and evil, teaming up to save the world."
"I'm in this to save myself, big guy. Don't get cute."
"Oh, this is going to go fabulously," Suda said.
Jung stared at the Avatar as he abandoned Air Temple Island in the company of the renegade Whistler. Sen would regret this decision, Jung knew that. One day he would regret ever meeting Whistler.