Chapter 39
Asami was hovering in the air. "Asami?" asked Korra. Asami managed to glide down the cliff, finally standing on firm ground. Korra soon joined her.
"I am an Air Bender?" asked Asami, unsure how to react to this new development. Korra ran towards Asami, and hugger her.
"How is this even possible? Tenzin and his family are the only Air Benders in the world," said Asami
"Doesn't matter, Sami. I think we need to tell Tenzin about the news; he will be so excited! Imagine, the Air Benders will finally return, well not counting Tenzin's family of course," said Korra
"This feels so strange. I was always a Non Bender, and today I discovered I could Air Bend. I will need time to get used to this," said Asami as she waved her hand, and some air ball formed above her hand.
"Don't worry, I will teach you how to use Air Bending. I think that maybe, although I am not certain, you could have gained Air Bending because I left the portal open," said Korra
"Raava fused with me, and even though I technically was the Avatar for a few minutes, she could have transferred the Air to me that way," said Asami
"Maybe. I think it doesn't matter how, what matters is that you are an Air Bender," said Korra as the two ladies hugged and kissed. "Let's tell your father."
"He, I doubt he will be as appreciate as you are," said Asami
"Relax Asami, he is your father. While he was wrong, and he still has many years to spend in jail, I think you should still keep in contact. I mean, remember the time you two hugged? I think Hiroshi Sato is feeling remorse for his bad actions," said Korra as Asami smiled.
"Alright, lets do this," said Asami as the two travelled to Hiroshi's cell.
"You have visitors," said a guard as he let the two ladies into the cell.
"Asami," said Hiroshi. He stood up and hugged her. "I was worried I would never see you again."
"Dad. We did it, we won and defeated Unalaq," said Asami
"Mister Sato, we have something to tell you," said Korra
"You are married," said Hiroshi as Asami blushed.
"No. Sir, Asami-" said Korra
"I am an Air Bender, dad," said Asami as she looked at her father and then waved her hand. Some air formed above Asami's hand.
"Asami," said Hiroshi.
"Please don't be mad, daddy, I am still unsure how to deal with all this-" said Asami.
Hiroshi hugged his daughter. "You are not mad? I am an Air Bender, a bender," said Asami.
"I don't care who you are, you are still my baby girl," said Hiroshi. "Promise me that you would be very careful with your bending."
"I will, Dad," smiled Asami
"I am so proud of you," said Hiroshi. Tears escaped Asami's eyes. "Please protect my daughter. I know she means a lot to you, Avatar Korra."
"I will," said Korra as the two women exited the cell, leaving Hiroshi there.
"Thank you Korra," said Asami as the two exited the prison.
"I thought you needed to speak with your father again. We spoke to him before the battle, and I thought it would be also a good idea for us to visit him again," said Korra. Asami kissed her.
The two women traveled to the Air Temple Island, where they saw the Air Bending family eating dinner. "Hello Tenzin, we have something to tell you," said Korra
"Guys, you wouldn't believe what just happened!" screamed Bumi as he ran into the room. He began talking very quickly about his recent adventure with Bumju.
"Bumi, get to the point," said Tenzin.
"I am an Air Bender," said Bumi as he tried to repeat what he did, but couldn't.
"Bumi, I can blow the air at the napkin too," said Kya
Meelo looked at his father, Aunt, and then Uncle Bumi. He closed his eyes slightly, smirking. "Hey Uncle Bumi," said Meelo as he threw his plate at his Uncle.
Bumi instantly extended his hands towards the plate. Air formed around the plate, and it began hovering above the table. Everyone but Korra and Asami opened their mouths widely.
"I think your portal theory is right," said Asami quietly.
"Bumi, you are an Air Bender," said Tenzin
"That's what I was trying to tell you," said Bumi
"Um, Tenzin? We have something to tell you," said Korra
"Korra and Asami got a secret wedding! Korrasami! Korrasami," said Ikki very quickly.
"How romantic," said Jinora, closing her eyes, and smiled dreamily.
"Um," said Asami
"Why does everyone just assume we got married? Can't you understand that Asami is an Air Bender now? Wait, oh," said Korra. Asami face palmed.
"Air Bender?" asked Tenzin. Asami shook her head at the reveal. No, she wanted to tell them the news herself.
An air ball formed above her hand. "This is amazing, Miss Sato! I cannot believe that the Air Nomads will return. Please sit here, Miss Sato, I can answer all your questions about the monk life we will all soon have," said Tenzin, having a completely straight face.
"Tenzin? I, I don't think I want to be an Air Nomad," said Asami as food fell from Tenzin's mouth. He also briefly choked, but Pema helped her husband.
"What? But. You can't, you can't do this. You are an Air Bender, and Air Nomad," said Tenzin.
"Tenzin, I am grateful for your offer, but I am a President, CEO and owner of Future Industries. I am a busy woman, and I cannot become a monk. All my life I lived in luxury, and I don't think I can change my lifestyle. I am sorry, but I won't join your Air Nomads. I will train to become a better Air Bender, but not an Air Nomad," said Asami.
"But, you can't do this. I, I need to meditate," said Tenzin as Lin and Mako ran into the room.
"Tenzin, you wont believe it, but-" said Lin
"There are new Air Benders all over the city," said Tenzin.
"Yes. Wait, how did you know that?" asked Lin Beifong.
"I will help you find them. Please tell all the Air Benders that they are welcome to come to the Air Temple Island to get training about how to bend, and to learn what it is to be an Air Nomad," said Tenzin.
"Tenzin, with all due respect, while many would likely join the Air Nomads, some people would not. People have lives, and their share of responsibilities. Some people won't just give up their lives to become a monk," said Asami
"Miss Sato, please be reasonable. It is a great honor to be an Air Nomad," said Tenzin
"I am so sorry, but I cannot be one. I need some air," said Asami as Korra laughed at the accidental pun. As Asami walked away from Tenzin's home, Korra followed her.
"Asami, wait, Asami," said Korra. The two stopped in the middle of the garden that led to the dining room.
"Korra, please don't make me join the Air Nomads. Look, I am grateful for my new power, but I cannot become a monk," said Asami as Korra approached her.
"Asami, I won't make this decision for you. You alone should decide whether you would be an Air Nomad or not. I will support any decision you make. I do think that we need to help Tenzin find the new Air Benders, so that we can at least give them choice to join the Air Nomads. We could also train them in the basics," said Korra as Asami smiled.
"Thank you. I think we need to assemble our team," said Asami as the two women began walking towards the docks, where they found Bolin and Opal running towards them.
Korra smirked, "Noone would leave us alone today." Korra looked at Asami.
"Bolin, Opal, is something wrong?" asked Asami
"You won't believe us what just happened!" said Bolin.
"Let me guess, Opal Air Bent?" asked Asami
"Yeah. Wait, how do you know about that?" asked Bolin as he looked at the couple in suspicion.
"Bo, people are becoming Air Benders," said Korra
"I can Air Bend now," said Asami, showing some of her skill. She then looked at Opal. "Tenzin thinks that every Air Bender now should join the Air Nomads."
"But I have family. Would I need to move out to live at a temple away from them?" asked Opal
"Afraid so, Opal," said Korra
"But don't worry, you can still be an Air Bender without becoming a monk. That's what I told Tenzin," said Asami
"I still think it would be a good idea for me to train you," said Korra
"Thank you, thank you," smiled Opal. "I would love to learn Air Bending.
"Bolin, I plan to leave Republic City and find the Air Benders. While I disagree with Tenzin that just by being an Air Bender people should become an Air Nomad, I still think we need to help people, since the new Air Benders might be scared of their new bending," said Asami
"Asami, of course I will join you two. We are a new Team Avatar," said Bolin
"Can I join you guys? I always dreamt of traveling and exploring the world," said Opal
Korra nodded. "Team Avatar is about friendship, and you are out friend, Opal, Air Bender or not. Of course you can come," said Korra
"I plan for us to leave tomorrow morning. I will need to tell Raiko to look after the city while we are gone," said Asami
Next morning, the new Team Avatar assembled at the harbor, where Asami parked her Air Ship. "Thank you Asami for helping us on this trip," said Tenzin
"Just because I am not going to become an Air Nomad doesn't mean that I won't help you find other Air Benders," said Asami.
Korra noticed that Bolin and Mako were arguing, but Bolin ultimately persuaded his brother to come to the trip with them. "Korra, could you teach me more about Air Bending?" asked Asami.
"Sure. Let's find Opal, and we can practice together," said Korra. Asami nodded.
The pair found Opal sitting on a bench, reading a book. "Hello Korra, Asami," said Opal.
"Opal, would you like to practice Air Bending?" asked Korra. Opal nodded, and the three women found a large empty space on the Air Ship, where they began practicing Air Bending.
Korra stood firmly on the ground and waved her hands. "Repeat these movements," said Korra, as she began teaching the basic moves of Air Bending to her two friends.
The ship took off, and the trip to find other Air Benders had begun. Kya and Pema stayed at the Air Temple to greet other Republic City Air Benders. Raiko sat in Asami's office, once again displeased with the whole situation.
As the ship flew, one person discovered he also just acquired Air Bending. He smiled. The new Air Bender was in a prison far away from the city, from civilization. He was kept in a tall tower. With his newfound power he knew he would escape his confinement very quickly. He was proven right when the guards arrived. He quickly defeated them, opened his cell, and jumped down. Zaheer was free. He would first rescue his fellow teammates, and together they would destroy the world, as well as end the Avatar cycle.
A/N: and so Book 3 begins. I included another subplot here- Asami and Tenzin's conflict. While Tenzin wants every Air Bender to become an Air Nomad, Asami doesn't. While some people in canon refused to join, due to her being a member of Team Avatar, and hence interacting with Tenzin frequently, this conflict would show up a few more times.
Since Opal appeared in Book 2 in this AU, she is now a full member of Team Avatar, and instead of joining other Air Benders she would be travelling with the Krew.