Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Avatar: The Last Airbender or Legend of Korra.

I do not make any money from my writing here; I just want to share my ideas and my writings.

The "new characters" I have created have come completely from my own ideas; any resemblance to other characters created by other authors is purely coincidence.


The family gathered in the study of the eastern building. Back in the good old days, when the air nomads were plentiful, this study would have been crowded with air nomads praying, reading, or joking with each other. In the present, however, the slightest sound echoed around the room, and most of the old furniture remained unused. The voices of the five echoed through the large room. Oakrin ushered the family to an area near a great window.

"This is where I sit and read old scrolls and books" said Oakrin, gesturing to the immediate space surrounding them. "There's something about this spot that has an open and friendlier air about it than the rest of the room. I'm not sure if it's caused by this beautiful view from the window or my scattered piles of papers and books."

"You're right, Oakrin" said Tarrson dropping himself into a great armchair. "This particular spot doesn't seem so … dead," he added with a slight smile.

"Dead?!" snapped Metaang, storming over to his cousin. "Are you kidding me?!" his voice and tone grew louder and harsher. "The air nomads didn't just decide to pack up and leave; they were the victims of a senseless genocide. They were all viciously murdered!"

"Metaang," said Tarrson, suddenly serious, "you are taking what I said too literally. I meant no insult to our ancestors."

"You knew full well what you were saying you ungrateful –" Metaang's rant was cut off by his wife.

"Metaang, control yourself! Tarrson did not mean any disrespect to the air nomads; he was simply trying to maintain a light atmosphere despite it being dishearteningly empty here." said Kyshi in a reprimanding tone.

"Kyshi, you heard what he said. He disrespected the entire history of the air nomads. He insulted their legacy!" he sadly replied to her.

Tarrson tried to say something, but Nella held her hand out to signal to him to remain quiet. Oakrin also encouraged Tarrson to pay attention by tilted his head towards his mother. The whole exchange happened among them in a few seconds.

"Metaang, look at me" Kyshi said softly. "Dear, look into my eyes" she said as gently took his face in her hands. "I know you're not mad at Tarrson" she said as she looked into his eyes. He avoided eye contact.

Metaang closed his eyes and began breathing deeply. Silence enveloped the building for the next few minutes as Metaang composed and calmed himself. Metaang eventually opened his eyes and placed his hands over Kyshi's. "You're right," he sighed.

Tarrson walked over to Metaang and placed a hand on his back. "Metaang, I know how hard you work to revive the air nomad culture. I'm sorry that I made fun of such a solemn topic."

Metaang took Kyshi's hands off of his face, stood tall, and looked Tarrson in the eyes. "Tarrson, I-" he started but was cut off by his cousin.

"You don't need to apologize, Metaang. You are forgiven." said Tarrson with a smile.

"Thank-you, Tarrson" responded Metaang.

"You know, I always forget how sensitive you are – just like Grandpa Tenzin" added Tarrson with his characteristic bellowing laugh while nudging Metaang with his elbow.

"And I always forget how facetious you are, just like Great-Uncle Bumi!" The whole group erupted into laughter, giving the entire room a less-somber vibe.

Oakrin and Nella made eye contact, and released silent sighs of relief in unison. Oakrin then walked over to one of his book and scroll covered desks, and started looking for a scroll he wanted to show Tarrson while Nella wandered through the room. She seated herself on a windowsill of one of the great windows looking out at the sky-bison caves.

She could hear the conversation on the other side of the room; Tarrson's booming voice was telling some story about how he almost died while traveling through some uninhabited region of the Earth Kingdom, Oakrin was still shuffling papers around his desks, and Pokey Jr (her father's pet flying-lemur) was snoring on some bookshelf nearby. As much as Nella loved listening to her uncle's stories and poking fun at Oakrin's reading obsession, she wanted to be alone at the moment. She wanted time to think.

Nella had always known that the next Avatar was out there somewhere; living as an ordinary Earth Kingdom citizen, unaware of his true identity. She also knew that the Order of the White Lotus had known the identity for a number of years. The White Lotus members agreed to reinstate the old tradition of telling the Avatar after he or she turns sixteen. Cappa, an earthbending member of the White Lotus, had stopped by the Air Temple a few months ago to discuss with Meelo the identity of the new Avatar. It's been killing Nella's curiosity to find out who this new Avatar is. She could just picture the next Avatar; a tall, confident young man or woman with a great start on earthbending, eager to learn the other elements. She was already excited to meet the next Avatar.

Nella spent almost an hour staring out the window, imagining traveling the world with the Avatar, just like her great-great-grandfather and his friends did. She was so engrossed in her day dreams that she didn't hear Tarrson walk up to her.

"Ella," said Tarrson who then laughed as Nella jumped. "Are you done being a hermit?"

"I'm not a hermit, Uncle. Just been thinking," said Nella with a slight smile.

"And just what has seized control of your mind?" asked Tarrson.

"The Avatar, Uncle. I just know that somewhere out there, the next Avatar is just walking the earth, not knowing all that he or she is capable of. You're curious to learn who the Avatar is too, aren't you?"

"I am curious, Ella, but we'll know soon enough. Avatar Korra passed away just over sixteen years ago – the White Lotus has probably told the Avatar recently."

"I can't wait to meet her, um, him, um, whoever" said Nella, fumbling with her words.

"We'll know in time, Nella," replied Tarrson.

"I – what is that?!" asked Tarrson while looking out the window. Outside the window, they saw a flame soar through the sky that illuminated the area immediately around it.

"I have no idea," answered Nella, voice full of curiosity. "Father, come over here!" she shouted. A few moments later Metaang had joined Nella and Tarrson staring out the window.

"Oh Great Spirits," muttered Metaang.

"It looks as if a sky-bison caught fire!" exclaimed Kyshi, rushing to join the group.

Suddenly the flame turned and speeded towards the group gathered at the window. The three airbenders took defensive stances, and Kyshi retreated from the window. Oakrin, unaware of his surroundings, continued reading at his desks. The flame kept getting closer to the window. As the flame got within yards of the window, it got bigger and brighter. Just as the flame was about to burst through the window, it disappeared. The airbenders looked confused. There was a sudden bright light from directly outside the window, and the three airbenders had to avert their eyes. The light soon dimmed, allowing the group inside to see the source of the flame. Meelo sat in his sky-bison's saddle laughing, while a grinning man stood holding a small fire in his hands.

"Of all the awful tricks my father has played on me over the years, this is the worst," sighed Metaang, hitting his forehead. Tarrson began roaring with laughter. Nella stormed away, angrily mumbling under her breath.

After Meelo and the firebender had eaten a light dinner, Metaang led Tarrson, his father, and the firebender to a small, round room of the main tower of the Air Temple. The four sat around the low table in the room's center. Metaang's flying-lemur sat on Meelo's head, unintentionally tickling Meelo with his tail. The firebender sat on Meelo's right, across from Tarrson. A raven-eagle perched on the arm of the firebender's chair, letting the bender rub its head. Meelo was thoroughly enjoying himself by telling his firebending friend a few of his favorite jokes. Knowing his father would joke like this forever if allowed, Metaang asked:

"Father, is there a reason we isolated ourselves from the rest of the family?"

Meelo finished laughing at his own joke and took a deep, focusing breath. "Yes, I guess you're right, Metaang, it's about time we got to the point of this little meeting."

"Oh, but surely you already know what all this is about, Metaang" said the firebender. "Tarrson, why don't you explain to your cousin why we all are here?"

"We're here to decide the Avatar's airbending instructor" replied Tarrson with a serious tone but anxious appearance.

"Sasim," asked Meelo, "tell them about the Avatar."


I must apologize to anyone who was waiting for this chapter for taking so long to post it. I recently started college and it got hectic fast. But rest assured, I will do better to post updates in a more timely manner. I apologize again.

Also, don't be afraid to leave a review! With helpful (not cruel) suggestions, my writing can only get better! :)