Chapter 40
The Team Avatar and their friends travelled in Asami's Airship from the Republic City, eagerly waiting to meet other Air Benders. Tenzin was especially happy that for the first time in his life, there were Air Benders outside of his immediate family.
The group heard about the first report of a new Air Bender in some small village. They set the course to the small settlement. During the journey, Korra taught both Asami and Opal in various Air Bending techniques she has known.
After one such practice, the three young women were clearly exhausted, sweat poured down their bodies, and Opal dropped on the floor, lying on her back.
"I think we are good for today," said Korra. Asami nodded, while Opal remained lying on the floor, resting. Unlike her friends, Opal wasn't used to do any physical training for extended periods of time.
"Thank you Korra. I will see you later, but I need to speak with Raiko to make sure he hasn't implemented any disastrous decisions in the Republic City," said Asami.
Korra smiled. "Good luck Asami. I am going to rest. While I am used to doing this, I burned a lot of calories, and require food," said Korra. The two girlfriends kissed, with Asami leaving to her office, while Korra went to the dining room.
After Korra ate her meal, she saw Tenzin standing in the doorway. "Hello Korra, I saw a portion of your training session. I am impressed. When you first arrived to the Air Temple Island, Air Bending was very challenging for you. I am proud to see that you overcame your difficulties, and now became an Air Bending teacher," said Tenzin.
Korra approached Tenzin and hugged him. "I learned Air Bending from a great Master," said Korra.
"Yes well. I learned a lot from you too. I think I am now prepared for Jinora and Ikki to go through their teenage years," said Tenzin.
Korra smiled. She lightly hit Tenzin in the shoulder. "Thank you for all your advice and teachings you gave me Tenzin. I feel I would need your help more than ever, especially since the Air Benders have appeared. We need to rebuild the Air Nation," said Korra. She then yawned.
"I am going to get some sleep," said Korra.
Tenzin nodded. "I will help you, Korra," said Tenzin. Korra left to her room and slept.
The Airship finally reached its destination. The crew exited and went to speak with the family that lived in one of the houses.
"Greetings," said the woman, opening the door.
"We are here to speak to you about Air Bending," said Tenzin.
"Yes, yes, please come in. My husband discovered he can produce some air, so we would be happy to talk to you about this," said the woman.
The group soon sat by the table, ready to talk about recruiting the first Air Bender on their journey.
"Hello, my name is Kuon, and I recently discovered that I was an Air Bender," said Kuon, moving his hands, and accidentally sending the pie in Bolin's face.
"I am so sorry," said Kuon.
"Don't worry, I love pie, and so does Pabu," said Bolin, licking the pie of his face, and then putting the bowl on the floor for the Fire Ferret to eat.
"I am honored to meet a fellow Air Bender," said Tenzin.
"Thank you. But I still consider myself to be a regular farm, only now I have Air Bending," said Kuon.
"Well, this is all about to change! You will become a part of the new Air Nation, rebuilding a whole culture. You are about to join us on our journey to the Northern Air Temple," said Tenzin.
"What?" Kuon asked. "I think there has been a misunderstanding. I am an Air Bender, but I am not a monk."
"But you get to experience rebuilding a whole culture, the Air Nomads," said Tenzin.
"Um, Tenzin?" said Asami.
"Yes, Asami?" asked Tenzin.
"You cannot force this man to join Air Nomads. Kuon said that he is a farmer, and it is important for him to live this life," said Asami.
"Master Air Bender, I agree with this lady, while I am an Air Bender, I have a life here. I have a family, a farm, and many friends in this village," said Kuon.
"But Air Nomads have lived in the four temples for generations. It is an honor to rebuild our culture," said Tenzin.
"I am sorry Master Air Bender, but I don't want to be a monk. I want to learn how to control my Air Bending, and continue living the life I currently have," said Kuon.
"You cannot do that," protested Tenzin. Everyone at the table looked at him.
"Tenzin, of course Kuon can do that. I told you earlier, that while I am an Air Bender, I will not become a monk," said Asami. She then looked at Kuon. "I also recently discovered that I am an Air Bender."
Asami used a technique she learned to gently lift a plate in the air, and then carefully return it back on the table. "My life is very different from yours, Kuon, but like you I don't want to abandon it. I will not become a monk. But I will learn Air Bending heritage and Air Bending techniques, and integrate it into my life," said Asami.
"I agree with her," said Kuon.
"Asami," said Tenzin.
"Look Tenzin, I know that you are the leader of the Air Nomads, but you cannot control what other people want to do. I personally thought of expanding the connections between the Republic City and the Earth Kingdom. Among other things, the Air Benders could travel to the Republic City and back to their homes, while working on restoring the Air Bending culture. But, they won't be Air Nomads, this will be a job," said Asami
"A job? Air Benders don't have jobs! They never had. Air Nomads lived a life in humble conditions, without any material possessions," said Tenzin.
"I want to keep my material possessions," said Kuon.
"I do too," said Asami. "I understand that not everyone will want to become a monk, but at least people can take the job and go back and forth from their home to the Republic City," said Asami.
"I like this idea," said Kuon.
"But, but," Tenzin began his protests.
"I want to learn more about Air Bending, I just don't want to become a monk. I love my life here," said Kuon.
"And you shall. All I propose is for you to work at the Republic City after I connect it to the Earth Kingdom, and then you can always go home here," said Asami.
"I like that, Miss-" said Kuon.
"President Asami Sato, but you can call me Miss Sato," said Asami.
"I accept your offer," said Kuon.
"Thank you. We need to teach you some basics in Air Bending so that you have at least some control. Then, I will work on the rail network, and after it's completed, you can go to work at the Republic City," said Asami.
"But if he won't become an Air Nomad, where would he work," said Tenzin.
"I can build a Temple or a Library, or some other building where the new Air Benders can work," said Asami.
Tenzin then looked at other people in the room. "I will talk to you later, Miss Sato," said Tenzin.
After the dinner, Asami and Korra talked to Kuon about Air Bending culture. Korra helped to teach Kuon a few techniques. In the evening, the group returned to the Airship, leaving Kuon at his farm with his family.
When everyone went to sleep, Asami and Korra sparred. "I got to admit, I liked how you proposed this new way all these people could learn about Air Bending," said Korra, lifting her right leg, and hitting Asami's left arm.
"I wanted to find a compromise, a solution that would work for many people. I know from first hand experience that not everyone wants to join the new Air Nomad culture. I have a lot of respect to what Tenzin plans to do, but I just feel that people should always have a choice whether they join the Air Nomads or not. And if they don't, they would still need to learn about the Air Nomad culture and Air Bending techniques, even if they don't become Air Nomads themselves. So, I came up with my proposal instead," said Asami.
The two women sparred for half an hour, before sitting at a table. They ate some snacks and drank some tea when Tenzin arrived in the room.
"Miss Sato, I find it unacceptable how you approached the situation at the village. I understand you want to help, but to rebuild the Air Nomads one needs to become an Air Nomad," said Tenzin.
"No they don't," said Asami. "Some people have way too many things to just become monks."
"But all Air Benders always have been Air Nomads. That's the way of life for Air Benders, and since there are new Air Benders, they should become a part of the culture that almost went extinct," said Tenzin.
Asami stood up from her chair. "Look Tenzin, I get it, you want to restore the Air Nomads. And I will help you do that. But I will not become an Air Nomad. Many people will not. There will be people who join Air Nomad, and I will be happy when this happens. I just think you need to give people a choice on what they want to do with their lives," said Asami.
"But this would go against the Tradition of how Air Benders lived their lives for millennia," said Tenzin.
"I know Tenzin, but change can be good. The world has changed, and we should adapt to the new circumstances. As I said, I will help you rebuild the Air Nomad culture, but I wont be a monk," said Asami.
"What do you think Korra? Your actions caused the new Air Benders to appear," said Tenzin.
"I agree with Asami," said Korra.
"What?" Tenzin asked.
"Tenzin, I lived for years at the compound. I was then forced to live at the island after I had a misunderstanding with Lin. My Uncle disliked my relationship with Asami. So yes, I think that while some traditions are good, some should change. And I agree that people should choose what they want to do with their own life," said Korra.
"This is very disturbing," said Tenzin. "I need to meditate on this. But I propose a truce, Miss Sato. Let's find other Air Benders, and then we can decide on how we will proceed later," said Tenzin, extending his hand to Asami.
"I agree. For the time being, I agree with your truce proposal. We need to focus on finding more Air Benders. But that doesn't mean that I will become a monk," said Asami. The two people shook their hands. Tenzin left.
Asami sighed. "We will resolve this conflict, Asami," said Korra.
"I sure hope so. I have a lot of respect for Tenzin, but he is clearly wrong here," said Asami.
Days passed. Team Avatar visited many other villages, where they talked to new Air Benders. While nobody wanted to listen to Tenzin's proposals, most people liked Asami's ideas, although one young man didn't care about either proposal; he just wanted to stay at home. Tenzin grew more annoyed with every day, since his recruitment was not working, with Asami being more successful.
While Tenzin spent a lot of time meditating in his room, annoyed at the apparent failure of his to recruit even one new person to his new Air Nation, Asami worked in her office on various plans on how she could help new Air Benders to learn about the new culture without becoming Air Nomads. She decreased her time practicing Air Bending. While Asami worked, Korra taught Opal many more Air Bending techniques.
A/N: next chapter, the group finds Kai. Zuko learns about the escaped prisoners. I thought it was interesting to explore on this Tenzin/Asami conflict, with the two people having different views how to rebuild the Air Nation culture.