Chapter 22

"Ready?"

I looked up to see Lee in the doorway, dressed in Air Acolyte style clothing, except all in white. I was in white as well, wearing the traditional beaded Avatar necklace. The fire charm that Avatar Aang had burnt had been replaced with a shining new one, the tulip-shaped fire symbol freshly engraved. I turned the necklace until the earth charm rested on my chest.

I nodded, following Lee out. My hair was in a half-up, half-down style, green bead charms on the loose strands near my chin. I wore a white kimono, trimmed with gold. There was a band of red fabric around my waist, silver flowers decorating it. The tails of the bow behind my back ended around the back of my knees. My bare arms prickled with cold.

"Here," Lee handed me his white jacket, holding it so I could slip my arms into it. The sleeves drifted past my fingers, making me feel like a little girl trying on her father's things. The slippery inside of the jacket was cozy with his body warmth. Without really thinking about it, I had pulled it around me, burying my nose into the collar. His large hands cupped my shoulders, making me feel even more vulnerable.

"Let's go. They're waiting."

I nodded. We made our way out, heading towards the main area. The reporters were already there, toting their cameras with their giant lenses. Some of those bulbs were flashing as they took pictures of the pyre, the attendants, the scenery.

I handed Lee his jacket wordlessly, straightening my back, shoulders back. As the Avatar, I had to look strong.

Chin up, a soft voice whispered in my mind. I immediately recognized the voice. It was Yena. I nearly dropped and sobbed right there.

Oh my god, Yena, I'm so sorry, I cried into my mind, desperate for her next response.

You have nothing to be sorry about, Tiana. I wanted you to.

How could you? I killed you.

I hugged Rohan, his face in a sympathetic expression. Next were his siblings, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo. I felt hollow as they embraced me. Then it was Korra's family. First, Tonraq, then Katara, and then Hugh. Lastly, there was Mako. He held my shoulders lightly, looking down at me with grave gold eyes.

"I'm really sorry, Tiana," he said. He took me into a hug, his arms around my shoulders and back. My cheek pressed into his chest as his chin rested on my head. It felt so familiar, the feeling of Mako around me. But that was Korra's memories, not mine.

I felt Korra reach into me, taking control for a minute.

"We will see each other again, Mako, in the afterlife," Korra said through my mouth.

Mako hugged me tighter and then looked down at me. He sucked a breath.

"The Avatar spirit is reincarnated, and the Avatar can access those past memories, but it doesn't mean that past Avatar spirits is trapped in there. They live on in the afterlife, like everyone else," I told him.

I blinked away the connection to Korra and smiled up at him weakly. He patted my hair in a fatherly gesture and followed his family.

"You know your eyes were blue right then, right?" Lee asked me. "You had Korra's eyes." I didn't respond.

For the ceremony, I only spoke of Yena's life before the darkness swallowed her. I spoke of our shared joys of childhood. I felt Yena's sadness in my mind as I approached the pyre.

A white shroud covered her body, decorated with silver filigree. Her ebony hair escaped from the shroud's cover, hanging shining from the wood platform. I raised my hands, taking in a deep breath. I looked up and took a step back.

Mom and Dad were dressed in white, hands in cuffs, with two metalbender cops standing guard. I felt the surge of my and Yena's anger. My hands started to heat up, in warning of flames. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. The Avatar State came upon me in a second as I opened my eyes. It flooded out in another. Taking a step, I shot my arms out, blue fire engulfing the pyre. The flames reached ten feet tall, like they were trying to reach the sun. Through the wavering heat, I stared down my parents. I approached them quickly, chin up, eyes empty of anything.

"You look beautiful, dear," Mom said.

"Yes, you make quite the Avatar," Dad agreed, nodding.

I bit my tongue so I wouldn't call them every name imaginable.

"You wouldn't be here unless you wanted something," I said, "So let's have it."

Dad sputtered in protest, face indignant. Mom raised her handcuffed hands in placation.

"We want you to attend our trial. To testify," she calmly stated, staring me down.

"And when is that?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Right after the service is done."

I looked away, staring into the blazing pyre. I waved a hand, the blue flames dying into smoke. The remaining ash took to the air, riding the breeze I directed to the heavens.

"I hope you find peace, Yena. You deserve it," I murmured.

Thank you, Yena whispered.

I turned to my parents. "Let's go."

There are still a few more chapters of Avatar: the Legend of the Twins to go! Hope you have been enjoying it :)