Chapter 23

The trial took place in a cleaned up City Hall. Most of the rubble was cleared, shoved to the sides by earthbenders. They were still cleaning them up as the jury fed into the building. The Council Table was on the ruined dais, the tall throne-like chairs empty.

Even though the Dark Avatar, with the help of the dark spirits and Neo Equalists, had destroyed pretty much the entire city, there was one change that stayed. The Council was reinstated, along with a hasty election of the new President. She seemed like a smart, caring woman when she delivered her inaugural address. Or at least that was what I heard. I was still unconscious then.

People hushed at each other as I entered, their eyes all on me. Cameras flashed, reporters shoving forward.

"Avatar Tiana! Avatar Tiana!"

"Don't call me that," I muttered. "I don't deserve the title."

Lee put a supportive hand on my back when he heard me. He was the only one that did. I stepped away, shaking it off. As the Avatar, I had to appear strong, even when I really wasn't.

Chin up, eyes distant, I walked confidently to the witness bench, right behind where my parents sat, chained. They smiled when they saw me sit, eyes sparkling. They knew that a testimony from their daughter, who was the Avatar, could prove their claim of innocence, and they could get away with nothing. I was just a means to an end, just like Yena was.

The new President of the United Nations sat down in the middle chair, while representatives from the other Nations followed. She read the charges: murder, assassination, treason, and the lot.

From the papers, all of the already tried Neo Equalists were in prison. The only ones waiting on trial were the most severe cases; the Neo Lieutenant and my parents.

I drifted in daydreams, the pressure of Lee's arm against mine the only anchor keeping me to earth. I wanted so badly to merge into Yena's memories, so I could temporarily fill the ragged, bleeding hole in my heart. The one that I made myself.

My parents' representative started their spiel, listing all of this supposed evidence that would prove their innocence.

"And to back up this, we would like to call Avatar Tiana, our daughter, to the stand," Mom announced. The Council and President all nodded. I stood from the bench, smiling a little to Lee and then approaching the dais. I took the steps, standing beside the table. I was breaking protocol, but who was going to tell me no? I was the Avatar. Nobody could stop me.

"My parents have asked me today to speak for their innocence. But, how can I speak for something that is not there?" I said, looking straight at Mom and Dad. Dad was slack-jawed in shock, while Mom looked like she was made of stone.

"They were part of the plot to kill Avatar Korra, so they could give birth to the next Avatar. They were part of the plot to overthrow the government. They were a part of the plot to split the Avatar Spirit, so they could make two Avatars, one Light, one Dark. They are the reason why the Dark Avatar destroyed the city."

I took a breath, my eyes scanning the jury. Their faces were hard, their eyes blazing with hate and accusation at my parents.

"They are the reason that my twin sister, was tormented by darkness every day. They are the reason why Vaatu took her over. They are the reason why I had to kill her," I spat, nearly snarling in rage.

My eyes burned with furious tears but I didn't let them fall.

I turned to the Council Table. "You cannot let these people free. If you do, that would be the greatest evil. These two are willing to use their flesh and blood to their own ends, even to their deaths. One of us is already dead. Thank you," I said, descending from the dais.

Mom glared at me, while Dad looked down at his whitened knuckles. "You are not a part of this family, you understand, Tiana? You will not be forgiven of this treachery. I am not surprised though, since this is not your first betrayal of your blood," she hissed, her lips curving in dark pleasure. In her hand, something flashed silver.

I couldn't help the anger. It rose like a wave inside of me, drowning me in its depths. The Avatar State surged from me, a halo of wind blowing everyone back. I grabbed my mother by the front of her shirt, easily lifting her out of her chair, and slammed her against the table. Her perfect red lips gaped open in fear, her eyes dilated to black. My hand was wrapped around her neck in an unbreakable grip. My hair flowed around me in a gentle wind as I looked down at her, my face twisting in rage.

"How dare you talk of betrayal? You killed your own daughter! You condemned her to years of misery! You shall pay for your deeds here and hereafter!" I screamed, my voice echoing with Yena's and Raava's voices.

Her dark eyes pooled with frightened tears, her hair flying around her in a black halo. My lips twisted into a snarl, tears running down freely. I threw up a hand. Lightning crackled along my skin, the cold-blooded fire sending thrills into my blood. Everyone quivered in fear, like I was an avenging goddess ready to smite someone.

Muscular arms wrapped around me, pulling me back, away from my mother. She sucked air desperately as my hand unlocked from her throat, leaning against the table. Dad patted her back absently, his eyes dark with apology.

"Calm down," Lee's voice whispered to me, his breath hot on the side of my face. My entire body was stiff, trying to break the barrier of his arms. His chest was hard against my back.

His hand claimed my cheek, making me turn to look up to him. "She's not worth it, Tiana. She's not worth it. Killing her would just wear on you forever," he whispered to me."

I closed my eyes as I took comfort from his embrace. The Avatar State faded away, the wind blowing up my hair dying. I knew the glow was gone as well.

In the weighted silence that fell, the President stood, patting down her windblown hair, like nothing happened. The other Council members had blank, indiscernible faces. A jury member handed the Council a paper with their vote.

"Now, we shall give the verdict."

The Earth Kingdom representative stood, looking into the jury's faces.

"The jury finds the accused guilty of all charges," he intoned.

The Fire Nation woman stood as well.

"This Council of Representatives finds the accused also guilty of all charges."

Then it was just the President. Her darkly lined eyes stared at me.

"As President, I find the accused, also guilty of all charges. You two will be spending the rest of your lives at the Boiling Rock," she said, looking coldly down at my parents.

The gavel slammed.

I saw their looks of utter grief before I pulled out of Lee's arms and stormed out of the City Hall. I stuck two fingers into my mouth and whistled hard.

Selene swirled in the sky above, trumpeting in greeting. I hopped onto her back when she swooped down, just as Lee burst out of the Hall. He stood there, white clothes snapping in the upwind, his eyes on me. I looked back once over my shoulder, before we ascended into the heavens.