((Well well, here it is at last: the finale to Book One. I thoroughly hope you enjoy, although brace yourself as it's the longest one yet!))
Convalescent:
Team Avatar ran to the top of the crater and observed the Fire Nation warring with the Red Lotus. It appeared to be a stalemate for now but here and there, random citizens were joining the fire. The mix of bending helped to negate the Red Lotus' advantage and they were slowly being pushed back towards the portal.
"Well at least they did a great job of making sure we weren't, ya know, immediately attacked on returning…" Anik said sarcastically. "Wish Whiri hadn't stayed in the spirit world; he'd have done a better job at clearing them away…"
Jinora looked sideways at the waterbender. "Give them a break Anik. It's fortunate the Fire Nation is even helping at all."
Jahn nodded. "They've done a good job here. I'll have to thank whoever's in charge later. For now, we need to try and round up the remaining Red Lotus and—"
"Throw their butts in jail. Sounds like a fabulous plan!" Anik exclaimed with dangerous glee in his eyes.
The Fire Nation cheered as they eventually swarmed over the Red Lotus trenches, securing them and the troops spread out over the plain, taking it back from the Order. One woman ran forward and saluted in front of the team. "Avatar, it's an honour. Prince Kazon was leading this charge but he's…ah…currently indisposed."
Jahn smiled and nodded at the soldier. "Thanks. What's going on here then?"
"I'm afraid the Prince will want to debrief you himself. But a quick summary can't hurt," the soldier said somewhat sheepishly. "The Red Lotus have mostly retreated to the outskirts of the city after our initial assault. Now you're back, you can help us remove them totally."
Jahn shrugged. "I'll see what I can do. Man, I could do with a rest," he joked to Anik, who nodded in agreement.
"Jahn. If we're not needed immediately…" Jinora started, trailing off slightly.
The Avatar nodded. "Of course. Thank you for all your help Jinora. I hope your family is safe; I'll see you once all of this is resolved."
Jinora smiled in thanks, which Jahn replied. She immediately jumped into the air and soared off towards the city, determined to see her husband, daughter and father again.
"If you come with me, I can take you to Prince Kazon," the soldier said as she watched the Airbender fly away. Jahn nodded but the firebender didn't see. He coughed and she started visibly, saluted and began to lead them away from the portal. Jahn slipped a sideways glance to Anik and they both quietly chuckled under their breath.
They walked a while down a few streets before arriving at a smashed building. Inside, Fire Nation troops were stationed, all battle ready. They navigated the inside of what appeared to be a food store until they reached the room at the back. The door was missing and inside, a man stood in front of a table. A body lay on it, covered in a white sheet, obscured from view.
The man turned. "Avatar Jahn, I presume?" he asked. His voice was clear and powerful like a tigerdillo.
Jahn inclined his head. "Prince Kazon. Thank you for assisting the city in its time of need. Your response was rather rapid."
The Prince stepped through the door and motioned quickly. Two guards sidestepped into the doorway, blocking the small room from view. He began to walk through the store but Jahn remained, watching the two soldiers carefully. "Who was that back there?"
Kazon stopped walking and looked back carefully. "I…my condolences for your loss, Avatar."
Jahn was still. "You found her?" he said in a quiet voice. "You brought her here. You covered her up."
Anik backed away slightly, wary of a potential Avatar State explosion. There was no such reaction, however. Jahn turned and bowed to Kazon, who looked somewhat relieved. "Thank you. You gave her dignity in death. I seriously appreciate that."
"Of course. I wasn't just going to leave her there. Not around that bloody woman, anyway."
Anik rolled his eyes. "Any guesses for who he's on about? Crazy red lady?"
"Scarlett," Jahn said with venom in his tone. "She greeted us at the portal," he said with dark humour.
"And shot a ton of lightning at us. Welcome home, here's some lightning!" Anik exclaimed comically.
Kazon's face said it all. "Her real name is Kairna."
Anik's smile vanished rapidly. "Oh. She looks different now…" he said quietly, clearly bothered about this revelation. The fact that the crazy red lady was his ex-boyfriend's sister didn't surprise Jahn, however. He'd already pieced that together a while back.
Kazon barrelled over the interruption, looking sideways at Anik quickly before returning his eyes to the Avatar. "She's married to my brother Zukoh. You may have met him already. He's a Grand Lotus here in Republic City."
Jahn nodded. "Yeah we met. He kinda locked me up and made me train with your aunt. She has some issues…" he said, understating the fact somewhat.
Kazon laughed. That definitely sounded like Akirai. "Did she teach you stuff that Zukoh didn't approve of?"
The Avatar shrugged. "I don't know what he approved of. She was the one that taught me lightning redirection whilst he was away though."
"Yeah, I didn't wanna bring that up but I'm so glad she did. Whoever she is. Just saying," Anik said with a grin.
Kazon scratched his forehead and walked over to the side of the building. A large hole had been blasted through it and the Prince looked through this, surveying the street. "The Airbenders should be back by now. I asked them to track Kairna when she fled from the portal. I was watching you all from a rooftop, nice job with the lightning. Redirection is a difficult trick but you've managed to enhance it considerably."
"Thanks," Jahn replied. "The Airbenders, what were their names?"
"Kai and Auri. Do you know of them?" Kazon asked.
Jahn nodded. "I know Kai. He was with me when Scar-Kairna arrived at the Temple. I haven't seen him since though."
A man in Fire Nation robes ran inside and saluted. Kazon waved at him lazily and the man relaxed. He was clearly out of breath and was holding a small portable radio. "Prince Kazon, there's a message for you and your brother…" he said, holding out the radio.
Kazon took it slowly and turned up the volume. The voice was slightly distorted and patchy but the signal was strong enough to hear the words. "Prince Kazon. Tell your forces to retreat or I kill the Airbenders and your stupid brother. Republic City is mine and the Red Lotus shall not retreat so long as I draw breath. If you find the Avatar, tell him to come find me at Central City Station. He comes alone or my hostages die."
Jahn gritted his teeth and Anik whistled lowly. Kazon gripped the radio tightly until he smashed it totally in a fiery grip. "I'll kill that woman!" he shouted angrily.
Anik shrugged. "Well you did hear her. She goes and so does the Red Lotus."
The Avatar was quiet as he stared at the floor in thought. When he finally looked up, he noticed both Kazon and Anik staring at him. "So?" Anik asked cautiously.
Jahn sighed. "Do I have a choice? If I don't go then they'll all die. Jinora would never forgive me; Korra would do the same."
"I'm coming with you then. I can hide away and be on hand in case you need any help," Anik said, clasping Jahn's shoulder tightly.
Kazon stepped forward. "I'll help you on this. It's my brother she has captive. That pile of rabbaroo droppings won't get away with this."
Jahn smiled bravely. "Right. Let's get moving."
The sun was descending by the time they arrived at the Station. The battle for the city had lasted most of the day but the Fire Nation had been victorious. A last ditch attempt by the Red Lotus to force the army back had been thwarted by the citizens of Republic City, who had swarmed down the streets to overthrow their oppressors.
Jahn had stepped forward alone as Anik and Kazon had flanked him from each side. The giant statue of Lord Zuko stood indomitable in the plaza before the Station, which was totally empty.
"I'm here!" he shouted between cupped hands. One way or another, this was about to end and Jahn would finally get a rest. The length of the rest would be determined by how successful he was, however.
"About damn time," Scarlett shouted down from the roof. Standing on top of the Station in between the two front facing towers, the woman stared down at the lone Avatar.
Jahn held up his hands in a sign of peace. "Where are they?" he shouted back.
She snapped her fingers and a lone Red Lotus member stepped forward from the Station's entrance. He appeared to concentrate considerably and four holes appeared in the stairs leading into the station. From the holes rose Kai, Auri and Zukoh slowly, held aloft by the earthbending of the Red Lotus member. They seemed to be mostly alright but were encased in a rocky casing, preventing their escape.
"Let them go. You've got me now," Jahn ordered. He kneeled down and put his hands on his head slowly, looking down at the ground. He expected an attack to incapacitate him and he wasn't disappointed. The ground rose up around him and pinned his arms against his head uncomfortably.
It was only then that the woman descended, jets of fire allowing her to slowly lower to the floor. She approached with slow steps, her old sexuality returning with the lush swaying of her hips. Her garments were as tattered as Jahn's own but she still exuded that raw sexual energy as before. "Didn't think you'd actually come. Silly little boy, you do realise that I fully intend to kill you all anyway?"
Jahn was silent. Of course he knew. But the plan was to stay quiet.
Scarlett continued to gloat, unaware of his tactics. "I'll start with you so don't worry. I won't make you watch these all die, like I did with your mother. You play with fire, you get burned. Should've known that, oh great Avatar," she laughed in his face.
Jahn looked up at her slowly. It was difficult to reign his temper in but he managed. Just. If there was one thing the fight with Vehrin had taught him, the Avatar was greater than just himself. Korra had succumbed to Vehrin's embrace and yet had eventually got her revenge. It was Jahn's turn for some payback. "Oh trust me. I've learnt my lesson."
Scarlett winked at him slowly. "Oh goodie, you actually have. I'll almost feel guilty about this," she said as she ignited a flame in her palm.
"Kairna, stop! You can't! Think about what you're doing, you—" Zukoh had protested before the Red Lotus member had struck him round the face.
Scarlett hissed through her teeth. Spinning round, she looked at her husband with hatred. "Actually, you die first. Always telling me what to do, I'm sick of it. You're not the master of me, sweetie," she spat, lacing the final word with venom. Signalling to the Red Lotus member to remove the earth, she approached in a rage. The earthen cocoon cracked and crumbled away, leaving Zukoh to fall to all fours, panting heavily.
The woman struck him in the back heavily, making him collapse with a grunt. She clearly delighted in making her husband suffer but her sadistic glee mitigated her anger. If she'd immediately finished the job, Jahn's plan would have backfired. As it was, it all worked nearly perfectly.
The water erupted from the sewers to the side of the plaza and crashed into Scarlett from the side, sending her sprawling on the floor. It froze immediately, encasing her in ice up to her shoulders. The Red Lotus member had jumped forward to help her but had been hit in the back by a vast plume of fire that Kazon had kicked at him. He fell down the remaining stairs and did not move.
Jahn himself concentrated and pushed up with his legs. He burst free of the earth and immediately bent it at Scarlett, aiming to encase her in more layers as he had done with Vehrin. Before the rocks could cover her, however, she screamed loudly. Breathing fire, she immediately melted the ice around her and shattered the rest with fiery fists. She decimated the incoming rocky attack with huge swathes of fire and continued to throw more attacks at Jahn. She seemed totally beyond all reason; her final ambush had backfired as a result of her arrogance.
Anik was running across the plaza but Jahn pointed at Kai and Auri. "Get them free!" he shouted at the waterbender, momentarily looking away. He looked back in time to just block a fireball but was sent on his back by the blast.
"Give it up Kairna! You're surrounded!" Kazon yelled at her. She turned on him with crazed eyes, her hair tangled and wild. He dodged her retaliatory attacks and jumped down the steps with a burst of flame.
"No! No I'm not!" Scarlett laughed maniacally, spinning round quickly. Flames span around her and made it impossible for any of them to approach. Anik began to sway as he formed a circle of twisting water around the inferno, which he slowly began to tighten on it. The flames were immediately extinguished but Scarlett was still not visible under the huge cloud of steam that billowed outwards.
She burst upwards, flames scorching the ground as she soared skywards through the cloud of steam. Jahn jumped back to avoid the flames licking the floor but looked up quickly as he watched her rise hastily.
"Kazon…" Zukoh coughed as he struggled to his feet. His brother ran to help him to his feet and Zukoh whispered rapidly in his ear.
"Argh!" Jahn yelled angrily. He was determined she did not escape but in the air, he had limited bending ability away from the earth. Still, he jumped high and shuddered as jets of fire launched from his feet. Ascending rapidly like a rocket, he willed himself to fly faster to catch up to the woman.
"Jahn! You won't reach her in time!" he heard Kazon yell below him. Looking down for a single, heart-dropping moment, he saw Kazon also flying upwards below him. "Use redirection!" he shouted again and flipped over completely, fire vanishing from his feet. Kazon hung in the air for a moment until he reached out with one arm.
On the ground, Zukoh had regained his footing. He appeared to be swaying slightly on the spot but Jahn could just see flashes of blue light appearing before he heard the almighty crash. The burst of lightning screamed into the air and struck Kazon's arm. Sparks danced around his body as he span horizontally in mid-air and caught Jahn's eye.
In that second, Jahn understood his plan. He would never reach Scarlett with ordinary firebending and neither would Kazon now, given her head-start. This was the only way that he could hit the Red Lotus leader but it had never been tried before. Let alone in mid-air whilst aiming at a flying target above you.
Kazon stretched his other arm and the lightning flowed through his body, bursting from his other hand and flared towards Jahn as the Prince dropped towards the ground. Jahn span round and caught the lightning with his left hand, feeling the intense sensation as it screamed up his arm. Feeling the exhilarating feeling, he allowed himself to begin to fall, twisting as he did so. Scarlett was still in sight, the flames from her feet still bright against the blue sky.
Jahn sighed internally as he aimed carefully with his right hand. Pointing with his first two fingers, he aimed directly at Scarlett and the lightning ripped forth from his hand as he screamed at the sheer power of the strike.
"Arrrrgghhh!"
It tore into the sky, building as it went, and struck Scarlett dead-centre in her back. The jets of fire immediately vanished but Jahn did not see much more before he fell. The wind howled through his hair and made his eyes stream as he plummeted back towards Republic City.
He felt a tug on the back of his tunic and felt a presence slide past him. Jinora was falling with him but faster and faster until she was sinking directly below him. Facing down, he clung to her back as she spread her suit wings and slammed her arms together with an almighty yell. The blast of air slowed them considerably in a jarring stop and they fell more gently, supported by her Airbender suit and her control of the air currents around them. They spiralled downwards, unable to steer properly as they glided towards the huge statue of Lord Zuko.
"No no no!" Jahn shouted in a panic as they almost collided with the statue's head. His eyes glowed quickly for a split second as he fired a quick blast of fire ahead of them. Zuko's head snapped off the metal neck and crashed into the plaza floor, splintering the stone ground.
"Wow!" Jinora exclaimed at the sheer power of Jahn's firebending.
They crashed into the ground at a reasonable speed but it still bloody hurt. They tumbled over each other and finally came to rest on the floor, Jahn lying on top of the Airbender. "Ow! Thanks for the catch," he laughed weakly. Rolling off her, he climbed to his feet and helped Jinora up.
Prince Kazon was hovering nearby, supported by his fire. He extinguished the flames and fell to the floor, rolling as he landed. "Brilliant technique there! That's gotta be the first aerial lightning redirection between three people, surely!" he exclaimed.
Zukoh approached slowly. "I hope you haven't all forgotten why we attempted that in the first place…" he whispered and pointed to the other end of the plaza. A body lay there, slumped on the floor with unseeing eyes, a huge burn mark on her back to match the one on her front. Scarlett lay dead, killed by the lightning that had been directed by Jahn but created by her husband.
Jahn bowed his head quietly. It was the first human life he had taken and honestly, he was not happy about it. He had gained revenge for his mother's death but it did not bring her back. Zukoh likewise looked upset, a tear rolling down his cheek as he looked at the body from afar. "I did love her," he said quietly in a shaky voice. Kazon took him in a strong bear-hug, his face mixed grief and smugness.
Anik had already sidled up to them, having finally freed the hostages with his waterbending. He patted Jahn on the arm and embraced Jinora but was quickly pushed aside by Kai, who had run down to hug his wife. "You're alive!" he said joyfully. Jinora clung to her husband tightly for a moment before pushing him away and slapping his arm.
"Hey!" Kai exclaimed in a hurt tone.
"You're lucky it's not worse! You left Aana alone!? You were free and didn't even make sure she was ok!?" she shouted at him in disbelief.
Kai shrugged, holding his hurt arm. "Well I wasn't free all the time! Did you not see the giant boulder prison things?"
Jahn caught Kazon's eye and nodded to the side. The group left the two Airbenders and walked over to the broken statue of Lord Zuko. Kazon leant against it and patted it gently. "Thanks for looking out for us Lord Zuko," he said happily.
Kazon clapped his hands together. "Well, I'd better get back to the battle. Now the snake has lost its head, I can't imagine it should take long to rout the rest. Don't start on the tea without me!" he said as he ran away from them, waving back at them as he went.
Anik wiped his forehead with a hand and laughed. "Flying Firebenders. You lot should have joined the circus or something…"
Jahn forced a smile. His sense of regret was mixed with relief at the ordeal being over and it was a confusing feeling. "Back to the Temple? I don't know how long those two are gonna be..." he said as he pointed over his back with a thumb at Kai and Jinora, as Kai had finally resorted to playing dead on the floor so as to avoid the wrath of his wife.
Republic City bustled with life. The Red Lotus had been routed, with a few exceptions. They numbered too many to fully capture all of them and the members that had blended with the civilians had been quickly absorbed by the masses. Despite this, the fighting was over. Like a singing groundhog retreating into its nest, the Order of the Red Lotus had eventually receded.
His plan had failed. Using the Order had been far too easy but they were always just a means to an end. Their misguided belief that the world could survive without leaders was their greatest error; the world needed guidance but from the right individuals.
Scarlett, like Vehrin, had exceed her authority. Give either a human or spirit power and watch it corrupt them. Arrogance would be the downfall of society. Especially if they failed to see the threat that was coming their way.
The assassin of the President sighed lowly, watching his breath billow out into the night air. Killing Cho had been unfortunate but appearances had to be made. If the Red Lotus doubted his beliefs, they would have turned on him. Scarlett had done too good a job of convincing them all of her leadership.
The figure gazed down at her broken body as it lay on the table. The security at the crematorium had been abysmal; he'd snuck in without a single person noticing. As was customary with deceased Fire Nation nationals, she would be cremated. 'Although,' he thought wryly, 'you're from the Water Tribe. Good luck with your reincarnation now.'
Her death had not surprised him. The Fire Nation had arrived en masse and his immediate concern was flight; leaving the city had been the best course of action. If Scarlett wished to lead them, she could.
It was the way she had died that concerned him. The plaza outside the Central City Station had been thoroughly torn up and cordoned off by the Republic City Police. Still, he could picture the scene. Lightning had almost certainly been involved, judging by the state of her clothes. Her hair was also singed around the tips. One of the Royal Family had almost certainly done this.
Or so he had thought. On returning to the city once the Fire Nation had withdrawn, he heard the rumours. They danced around, words on wind, until they reached his ears. The Avatar had stopped the leader of the Red Lotus. Jahn had saved so many lives. He was a hero. A total hero.
The one thing, the one mission, he had assigned to Scarlett was to capture the Avatar. He was too busy trying to reign Vehrin in; the spirit had become too greedy too quickly. Her recent attempt to kill Jahn had left him furious. If she was not already dead, he would have done it himself.
Still, she was. Lying on the body, eyes closed, her face finally serene. Scarlett really had been beautiful but the rotten core underneath had been too overwhelming. The stench of her defeat was too prominent for him to feel any twinges of regret.
"Shame," he lied in a rough voice, one marked by smoke damage. He turned away. He was done with this city and the people within it.
His plans were foiled. For now. He'd have to take time out but they'd recover. With time.
As long as his hero son did not interfere any longer.
Jahn sat with his legs over the edge of the balcony, gazing out at Republic City. The memory struck him as funny; he'd done exactly the same a few days ago on arriving at the Temple. So much had changed within the last few weeks. He was one of those changes.
He could hear the low rumble of the city as it recovered from the assault. Life always prevailed and society always found balance. Jahn himself had played his part but the very nature of the world meant that he would never be the hero. He was just a cog in the eternal machine that was called life, but he was happy with that. He couldn't stand the hero-worship.
He heard a shuffling as he noticed Aana sitting next to him. She dangled her legs out between the balcony struts and peeked between two of them.
They sat in silence, gazing out at the night. Jahn was not really in the mood for celebrating; everyone else was inside, retelling stories and revelling in their victory. Anik especially had become rather giddy at the whole event.
Aana shifted and stood up. She gave him a quick hug from the side and patted his head. Turning, she went back inside without a word.
Jahn smiled. That kid was far wiser than she looked. His glum mood after the funeral of his mother had started to lift.
They had buried her that afternoon, returning her to the ground on the outskirts of the city. Saraa had always been a strong believer in returning life to the ground and now it was her turn. Jahn had remained strong during the service, finally accepting his loss. She was gone, but he would always carry a part of his mother's spirit with him.
"Avatar Jahn. Why are you out here alone?" asked a voice. Tenzin had emerged from the Temple and had come to stand beside him. The older man glanced down with a sad smile.
"I…" Jahn began, unable to explain what he felt.
Tenzin carefully sat with him. Unlike Aana, however, he sat directly next to Jahn and faced the Avatar, making him look sideways at the Airbending master. "I think I understand. Even at the pinnacle of my father's destiny, he found a way to defeat Fire Lord Ozai in a way that did not require taking his life. He was distraught at the concept, I know."
Jahn shrugged. "It's not so much that. I regret having to…you know, but I feel like this wasn't exactly the best start for an Avatar," he conceded with a heavy sigh.
"Korra didn't have such a great run either. She faced many challenges during her time and no matter how many times she was pushed down, she always stood up taller than before. That ability to recover from such hardships is a great skill, Jahn. You were in a dark place but you continued to fight," Tenzin said wisely.
The Avatar considered that. "It'll take a while to recover from this though," he said worriedly. That was his greatest fear; that he'd never truly escape his emotions. The Avatar State scared him beyond belief; he had so much power but it was still uncontrollable. Back at the statue, he'd used it reflexively but had not meant to do so. Even at the portal, he had struggled to contain it as he had touched the orb of energy. It would have to be carefully controlled.
"Recovery doesn't have to take a long time, Jahn. Recovery can simple mean getting back up and continuing onwards. You've already made great progress; that unsure yet strangely confident young man I met days ago has already vanished. That false confidence has gone but now you're more like yourself than you ever have been," replied Tenzin.
Jahn chuckled. "Ok, now you're making no sense."
Tenzin frowned. He rolled his eyes as he grunted, "I forgot I was dealing with another teenager. Kids these days…"
The Airbender stood up slowly and made towards the Temple. "Come inside when you're ready," he said kindly over his shoulder.
Light flooded the balcony as the door opened but it was quickly plunged into the night's darkness as it closed once more. Jahn closed his eyes as he considered Tenzin's advice, meditating on them as they swirled around his mind.
Opening his eyes slowly, he smiled as he looked straight at Avatar Korra's apparition, floating in mid-air. She smiled back with a true twinkle in her eyes. "You did good," she admitted.
"Only good? Charming," Jahn grinned back. Here was the one person who would truly understand what he was feeling.
Korra raised an eyebrow. "Don't get cocky. You helped save many lives, including that of my friends. You have my thanks."
Jahn inclined his head slightly as acknowledgment. "And you have mine."
The Water Tribe Avatar continued to look him in his eyes without flinching. "The road ahead will be tough, Jahn, but I know you can do it. My friends are now your friends, and they will look out for you. Sitting out here won't help fix anything, you know," she said with a knowing smile.
Jahn reluctantly rolled his eyes. He knew she was right and so did she. When he looked up once more, Korra was gone.
Indeed, Korra was gone. But Jahn would carry on her legacy. For her sake and the promise of peace and balance.
Standing, Jahn brushed his hands and straightened his new green tunic. He ruffled his hair slightly and coughed, making sure he was presentable. He turned and slid the door to the Temple open, bathing himself in light and was greeted by a chorus of friendly voices.
Jahn had lost his old life but his new one would help him recover from his ordeals. His friends would support him and he would assist them and that knowledge made him smile as he went inside the Air Temple.
The door slid shut, leaving the still night air in silence as Republic City stirred. The day was over and the night reigned supreme but the morning promised to bring new delights, new challenges and almost definitely promised some more adventures.