Hello there, friends! Welcome to the next chapter of Avatar: Immortal Dragon.
I was planning to upload the next chapter of Light Bringer Stories, but it wasn't ready. Needed more time in the oven (and I wasn't playing Baldur's Gate 3 at all).
Also, remember how in chapter 2 I mentioned I made a change to the Beifong Family Tree?
Yeah, this is it.
Boarding a tram, which passes through the city of Zaofu, Bolin looks out excitedly as the tram passes by a statue of Toph Beifong.
"That statue honors the first metalbender, Toph Beifong, who expanded the possibilities of what benders were capable of." Aiwei explained, "Here, everyone is encouraged to reach his, or her, highest potential."
"They got her likeness wrong." Genji said, looking over his shoulder, "Her breasts where way bigger. You might want someone to get on that."
"Yes." Ichiro said sarcastically, "Because that is what would concern grandma."
"Oh! Does Toph live here?" Bolin said excitedly as he turned from the window, "Are we going to get to meet her?"
"I'm afraid not." Aiwei said, "She would visit from time to time, but years ago she left to wander the world, in search of enlightenment. No one has seen her since."
Bolin sigh in disappoinetment while Genji sighed in relieve as the tram is shrouded in darkness as it enters a tunnel. It follows the rail line as the tram makes its way to another metal flower.
"Genji." Bolin said looking out the window, "You might want to see this."
Looking over his shoulder, his eyes widen in surprise when he saw a large statue of himself, dressed in his Shashou gear, one knee and hand touching a dragon's head, his sword in the other.
"No idea who owns this city." Genji said with a proud smirk, "But they know how to show respect."
Walking hand-in-hand, Genji and Asami made up the back of the group as they followed Aiwei into a dancing studio, where eight dancers are rehearsing on a flattened metal lotus flower. They fire metal cables to the ceiling, and four of them swing upward before landing, while the four bottom dancers bend the petals for their team-mates to land on. The dancers bounce from petal to petal, before jumping to the middle, where the flower closes. The dancers open the flower, where the inside dancers pose with graceful poise.
"Is this some kind of combat training?" Korra said.
"Not exactly." Aiwei explained, "They are rehearsing for a dance premiere next month."
The lead turns to see Team Avatar, claps to her dancers, "That's it for today everyone." she said before walking up to the Team.
"Allow me to introduce the matriarch of the Metal Clan, Suyin." Aiwei introduced her.
"Please call me Su." she said, pressing a fist into her palm as a greeting, "Great to finally meet you, Avatar Korra, Avatar Asami. And this must be Mako, Bolin, Ichiro and..."
"You've done your research." Mako said but Suyin wasn't listening.
Suyin moved like a sleepwalker, her eyes upon his Genji's face. Her lips slightly parted, her eyes wide.
"Uh... Hi?" Genji said with a small wave, "What are we doing?... Okay. Now your not talking and this is getting kind of akward."
"Its... You." she finally said.
"Yes, it's me..." Genji said as he was suddenly embraced by this strange woman, "Okay... Why are we doing this?"
"You're joking, right?" Suyin said, letting go of him. There's silence from the teens as they stare at each other awkwardly. A hurt Suyin sighs and looks to the side sadly, "Lin never told you about me?"
"Don't think she did." Genji said confused, "But why would she?"
"I'm Lin's sister." Suyin said, "Her twin sister."
Team Avatar listens to the news with surprise and disbelief. Genji's face became an expressionless mask, "Hold that thought." he said before turning on the spot and broke out in a sprint.
At the airship, where Lin looks at Zaofu, before a loud bang echoed through the room as a furious looking Genji had kicked the door open before he walked in.
"I found out why you're so against coming here!" Genji said as he walked into the room, as behind him Team Avatar and Suyin peaked around the corner, "When where you going to tell me I had another daughter!?"
"So what?" Lin said.
"So what? So what!? We are family!" Genji said perplexad, "And family means no one get left behind or forgotten!"
"We're blood, Lin." Suyin said as she walked into the room, "And after thirty years, the least you could do is say 'hello'."
"I have nothing to say to you." Lin said bitterly
"Wait, you two haven't spoken in thirty years?" Ichiro spoke up, "How come?"
"Ask her." Suyin said to the young man, "I've tried."
"Oh, don't put that on me." Lin said, pointing a finger to Suyin, "You're the one who tore our family apart."
"And you've done a bang up job keeping it that way." Suyin said with the sarcastic and smug tone only someone like Genji or someone related to him could muster.
"Yeah..." Asami said dryly, "She's his alright."
"Mother, why did you never mention I have an aunt?" Ichiro said, "That's a pretty big thing to keep from me."
"Hold on, your my nephew?" Suyin said surprised, "Who is your dad?"
"Tenzin." Ichiro said simply.
"Oh, right. Obviously." she said before going back to busniss, "Look, we can stay here arguing about the past all day, but that's not reason the Avatar came here. My daughter is thrilled to meet you."
"Hold your ostrich horses. I have a grandaughter!?" Genji shouted before getting a big grin, "And she's the new airbender! I need to tell everyone!"
Suyin let them to her estate and to the back garden where a field with metal columns, where a metal disc ricochets between, with a player on each side. "Those are my two youngest, Wei and Wing." She said, "They're playing a game called Power Disc. They invented it all on their own."
"By the Great Spirit!" Genji shouted, "I have more grandsons!?"
Wing shoots the disc to Wei, who redirects it, ricocheting it between multiple columns. Wei fires the disc back, ricocheting against a column. Wing leaps to intercept the disc, but fails to catch it, which slams onto a net.
"Oh, nice power, Wei." Suyin said before she walks away with the group, "I'm so proud of those two."
The group follows her until they came to an outside art gallery, which was filled with metal sculptures, where a sculptor works on one with metalbending.
"Huan, I'd like you to meet the Avatar and her friends." Suyin said, "And your Aunt Lin, Cousin Ichiro and Grandpa Genji."
"Another one!" Genji shouted happily.
"Nice to meet you." Ichiro said stepping forward, getting a simple greeting without the young man turning back, "That's uhm... That's a really nice... banana?"
"It's not a banana!" Huan said irritably as he suddenly turns around, "It was inspired by Harmonic Convergence! Represents the dawning of a New Age!"
"Oh... Right." Ichiro said with a nod, "I totally see it now."
Mako and Asami look amused before the group start to follow Suyin again. "Oh fuck me." Ichiro muttered, "That was totally a banana."
The group walking toward a slightly younger teenaged lady reading a book on a bench.
"And this is my daughter, Opal." Suyin said.
The girl turns toward the guest, "Avatar Korra." she said as she stands up, "I can't believe you're here. You are so amazing."
"It's great to meet you, Opal." Korra said.
"Opal." Bolin said dreamily, "That's a beautiful name."
Opal blushes and pushes some hair behind her ear. Genji glances back and forth between the two with amused curiosity while Bolin looks off awkwardly.
"Wait... I recognize you." Opal said getting the attention of the Shashou, "Your grandpa Genji!"
"...Never in my life have I needed something so much." Genji said as his mouth slowly formed into the biggest grin he had ever had on his face, "And never known until I received it."
"I've always wanted to meet you." Opal said with a smile, "My mom has told so many stories about you."
"Ichiro." Genji said not taking his eyes off Opal as if she was the most wonderful thing in the world, "Your not my favorite anymore."
"Until a hour ago I was your only grandchild!" Ichiro said.
"Wouldn't that make you the favorite by default?" Bolin pointed out.
"I guess." Ichiro said with a shrug before turning to Opal, "Hey, I'm Ichiro."
"Oh, h-hey." Opal said with a blush.
"Great. We've found the airbender." Lin said as she pushed herself to the front, "Let's take her back to the airship and get out of here."
"The woman trying to abduct you is your aunt Lin." Ichiro said dryly, "She's also my mother."
"Oh..." Opal said a bit embarrassed, "Oh, really?"
"So I've set all of you up in the guesthouses while Korra trains Opal." Suyin said.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Korra said, "But I was hoping she could train with the rest of the airbenders at the Northern Temple."
"That sounds amazing." Opal said delighted.
"Nonsense." Suyin brushed it off, "This is where Opal's home and family are. You can train her here."
"Absolutely not!" Lin said at once, "We're leaving."
"She's just a little worried because there's a bunch of crazy criminals after me." Korra said casually, "You know how it is."
"If you're concerned about security, don't be. This is the safest city in the world." Suyin said, "And you got a Shashou here. What more do you need?"
The elder Beifong sister rolled her eyes in annoyance, "Now I'll see you all at dinner. And come hungry." Suyin continued, "My chef will blow the taste buds right out of your mouth." before walking off.
"Why do you have such a problem with your sister?" Ichiro said as he turned to his mother, "She seems nice."
Lin glares at him, causing him to hold up his hands. When the group folloed Suyin, Lin seeths while looking to the side and growling.
Later that night, the metal panels surrounding the city of Zaofu closes. Inside the Beifong Manor, more specifically the dining room where they where served dinner for tonight.
"Tonight, for your dining pleasure, I present a seared wild Kyoshi elephant koi, paired with a ginger-infused pea tendril and hibiscus root salad." the chef said as the plates with food where placed in front of them.
"Stunning." Suyin said, clapsing her hand.
The chef bows before walking off, where he bows to a man around Suyin's age and what appeared to be his son who was holding a stack of papers.
"Sorry, dear, I'm going to have to take dinner to my office." the man said, "I just had a major breakthrough on the tram station remodel."
"Well, don't let me stand away an inspiration." she said before perking up, "Oh, Baatar, I want you to meet someone."
She gestured for Genji to stand up and follow her, "Genji, this is my brilliant architect of a husband, Baatar, and our oldest son." Suyin said, introducing them, "He engineers all my husband's projects."
"Your the famous Genji Chirayus." Baatar said with a bow, "It's an honor, sir."
"Sir?" Genji said surprised, "I know it's a bit late for this, with you being married with Suyin and having kids. But if you do anything to harm her, I will hunt you down."
"There would be no need for that, sir." Baatar said, "If I would do anything like that, I will be handing you a sword myself."
"I like this one." Genji said with a smile, "We should have a drink."
"I would like to sir." he said.
"Good lad." Genji said as the Baatar Sr. and Jr. went on their way and Genji and Suyin went back to the table.
"Six grandchildren." Genji said with an even bigger smile, "I'm so happy right now."
"Five kids." Lin said, "What a nightmare."
"No, no." Suyin said, "My children are a blessing."
"Yeah, mom used to say that too." Lin said, "But she never meant it."
"That doesn't sound like the Toph I know." Genji said shaking his head before taking a drink.
"It was huge! Stinking, bald head, rotting teeth." Genji said as he recounted his first monster he had encountered to his new family, "He pulled that girl from the cart, tore her dress up in front of her father and said 'It's time you met a real man'."
"By the spirits." Opal said shocked, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I told him it was time he met one too." Genji before he recounted the kill, "It took two strikes to kill him, they weren't clean but they were spectaculair. I turned towards that girl afterwards, she was drenched in the mans blood."
"Damn!" Wei said, "Grandpa is awesome!"
"...I'm never going to get tired of being called that." Genji said with a grin.
"Wasn't that the same girl who took one look at you, screamed, vomited and passed out?" Mako said.
"The very same!" Genji said with a laugh.
"Still that was so cool." Wing said.
"If you think that was cool, wait until I tell you about the time I went to space." Genji said to the amazement of his grandchildren and Suyin, "This guy called Tyranno wanted to drop Republic City on the planet to unleash some sort of dark god or something. Luckily I got help from Vigil, the Dark Avatar from another world and Jason, a guy who can fly and shoot fire from his eyes and lift entire buildings, also from another, another world."
"Wait other Worlds?" Opal said surprised, "The Arcmoani Network's are real?"
"Oh, you know about it." Genji said surprised.
"Well I read about it. But it was all just theoretical. A fairy tail like Satanael and The Eagle Bearer... If it's real then it completely changes how we understand the initial singularity. We're talking about an eternal inflation system and how does that even work with all the quantum... Sorry..." she became a bit embarrassed with her rambling.
"Never apologies for being the smartest one in the room." Genji said with a smile, "But yeah, it is real. Seems we're in Arcmoani Network 9 out of 15... huh."
"What?" Suyin said.
"I just realized how much romance Korra get into over the Networks." Genji said with a thinking frown, "So Mako and Bolin had a thing for Korra... Yes, I know. Ichiro obviously is dating her. Soshi is dating a Korra... I mean the other Soshi, not Lil' Soshi the airbender. And Jason also implied he had a thing for his Korra."
"You have a lot of admirers." Opal said impressed.
"I am aware of the effect I have on everyone." Korra said with a smirk.
Over at the other side of the table, Suyin was having a conversation with Asami, who was technically her stepmother, which was a bit weird seeing as Suyin was the same age as her father.
"Honestly, the search is not going great." Asami said when asked about finding airbenders, "We had to rescue a whole group of them from the Earth Queen."
"Oh, she's horrible." Suyin said, "She thinks she can just do whatever she wants."
"Sounds familiar." Lin said under her breath, but loud enough to be heard.
"What?" Genji and Suyin said, but the elder Beifong sister waved it off.
"I mean, the idea of even having a queen is so outdated." Suyin said, "Don't you agree, Asami?"
"I'm not sure." Asami said, "I haven't put much thought into it. I've been a bit busy."
"Well, you should start. Your the Dark Avatar from our World." Suyin said, "The world is evolving and the Earth Queen can evolve with it or step aside."
"Hey, everyone." Lin said sarcastically, "My sister is an expert on world affairs now."
"You want to talk about what's really bugging you?" Suyin said, turning to her sister, "Because I'm right here!"
Lin glares bitterly at her sister before turning away. Noticed what was going on, Genji looked between the two and he exchanged a glance with Ichiro who saw doing the same. Genji was cutting casually cutting his food, when his his split pupils narrowed when he saw who had entered the dining room.
"Sorry we're late, everyone." said the businessman named Iknik Blackstone Varrick, though he was more commonly known by his last name.
"Varrick!" Bolin said excitedly.
"What are you doing here?" Asami said at once.
"Great question, Asami. I mean, what are any of us doing here?" Varrick said, "Wow, food for thought..."
Varrick let out a yellp of surprise. In the blink of an eye, Genji had leaped over the table and tackled Varrick to the ground. Holding the knife in a reverse grip and pressing the blade against Varrick's neck.
"You." Genji said to Zhu Li, who had came in with Varrick and was holding up her hands, "Stay back or I'll paint the floor with his innards."
"Oh come on, Genji!" Varrick said, "Can't we all just forgive and forget?"
"I'm more of a resent and remember type of guy." Genji said in a low growl, "What are you doing here? How did you escape prison?"
"Nothing a few Yuan in the right pockets couldn't get me." Varrick said, "So, I looked up my old friend Suyin here, pitched her a few ideas, and bam! We're in business together."
"It's true." Suyin said standing next to them, "Varrick's heading up my new technology division."
"I've seen the future, and the future is, magnets!" Varrick said dramatically, "I'm working on a high speed rail that would revolutionize transportation and shipping as we know it. But that's not all, I'm..."
"All right, enough!" Lin said as she stands up, "I'm trying to keep the Avatars safe and you're harboring a criminal?"
"Ease out, Lin." Suyin said, "Sure Varrick's made a few mistakes in his past..."
"He tried to take my company." Asami said as she stood up, "And tried to frame Genji for it."
"Okay, he made a few big mistakes." Suyin said, "But that doesn't mean he should pay for it for the rest of his life."
"He does if I end him right now." Genji said, pressing the knife closer to Varrick's neck.
"Dad no!" Suyin said quickly, "My chef was a pirate, but now he's a culinary master. People change!"
But what Suyin said surprised Genji so much that he dropped his knife, "You called me dad..." clearly touched by her words.
Later that evening inside Suyin's study, where Genji let out a low but impressed whistle as he looked around. The one thing that did stood out to him was a bar, and on the wall behind it was an expensive collection of whiskies.
"...You only have whisky in your bar?" Genji said.
"There isn't in yours?" Suyin said, picking a bottle from her collection before pouring two glasses, "You know, before I built this city, there was nothing here. I wanted to make my mark on the world, like how you and mom did with Republic City." gesturing to a model of the city and its surrounding area.
"Mark on the world, I only helped name it. It wasn't even the first name, I originally wanted to name it Genji City." he said accepting the glass when she walked up to him, "...Can I ask what happened with you and Lin?"
"It's complicated..." Suyin said as the two sat down on a nearby sofa, "We didn't have a normal childhood."
"I'm sorry..." Genji said immediately.
"Oh, no. I'm not blaming you." Suyin said quickly, "We didn't know who our father was back then, mom was always busy being Chief of Police. Because she grew up in such a strict household, she gave us all the freedom in the world, hoping we'd figure out our own paths."
"Sounds like Toph." Genji said with a smile, "And that is bad... why?"
"We both ended up fighting for mom's attention. Lin followed in her footsteps and became a cop. I was... more of a rebel. Mom wasn't too happy with how either of us turned out." Suyin said, "When I was sixteen, I left home to explore the world... Guess I took more after my father. I sailed the seas on a pirate ship, joined a traveling circus for a while, and lived in a sandbender commune in a desert. It took me a while, but, I finally realized what I was looking for was a family. So I bought this plot of land, found a brilliant architect who later became my husband, and created a place I could truly call home."
"Su... Sounds to me you have done something neither your mom nor me ever managed to accomplish." Genji said, "You made the perfect life."
"Almost. I've always wanted Lin to be a part of it, but I gave up hope long ago of her ever coming around." Suyin said, "And now that I know your alive... I-I would want you to be part of it."
"You... Actually want me around?" Genji said surprised, "Don't think I would be a bad influence on your family?"
"Genji, we are your family. We accept each other. We are pretty wild and chaotic ourselves." Suyin said, "Zaofu could be your home."
"I-I would love to." Genji said, "But Republic City needs me."
"Or someone who lives there. Asami Sato. Yes, I noticed how you to look at each other, it's all in the body language." Suyin said, "She can come live here as well."
"I... I'll think about it." Genji said, rubbing the back of his head, "But the city needs me. It may not be perfect, but it's home."
"I understand..." Suyin said with a hint of disappointment, "Whatever you decide to do, I hope you do come visits more often."
"That, I can do." he said with a smile.
A knock on the door was heard followed by it being opened, stepping in was a woman in Zaofu Guard armor. She had black hair, a tanned skin, and a small mole under her green eyes.
"Suyin, the city is..." she said before noticing who else was in the room, "Oh... You... You must be..."
"This is Kuvira, the head of my security and protégé." Suyin said, before turning to the young woman, "Kuvira, this is my father. Genji Chirayus."
"Your the famous Genji Chirayus." Kuvira said impressed sounding a little bit like a fan meeting her favorite idol.
"Notorious, maybe." Genji said with a smile as he shook hands with her.
"Your an inspiration to many of the guards in Zaofu, me included." Kuvira said, "Though I must admit, I had expected some one with your reputation to be a bit... taller?"
"Well humans have been getting taller over the centauries." Genji noted.
After having drinks with Suyin, Genji was walking to the guesthouses, escorted by Kuvira as the two talked.
"Damn, Genji." Kuvira said impressed, "You actually killed ten guys with a chopstick?"
"I think it was ten, maybe more, maybe less." Genji said, "I kind of lost track after nine. It was all a red haze. The thing I am sure of is that I was naked."
"Now that is something I would like to see." Kuvira said with a satisfied smirk.
"I would have to ask Asami about that." Genji said with a chuckle.
As they got close to the guesthouses, they spotted Opal talking with Korra and Ichiro.
"...I'm a bit jealous." Opal said, "You got to spend so much time with grandpa."
"Don't be." Ichiro said with a roll of his eyes.
"I don't get why you don't like him." Opal said, "He's funny."
"Who says I don't like Genji?" Ichiro said surprised, "Why are you giving me that look." looking at his girlfriend.
"Well you always act like your wearing your grumpy pants when he's around." Korra pointed out, "You really look like Lin then."
"I'm nothing like my mother!" Ichiro protested, "Look, I don't hate Genji... I just find him exhausting to deal with sometimes."
"Ah, Ichiro." Genji said suddenly as he comes walking up with Kuvira, "There is a reason you are one of my favorites."
"How long have you been standing there!?" Ichiro said embarrassed, "How much did you hear?"
"Enough. I love you too, grandson." Genji said with a wink, "Oh, Kuvira, this is Korra my second favorite Avatar currently around and this is my grandson, Ichiro..."
"I know." Kuvira said, turning to the tall male with a smile, "It's been a while, Ichi."
"Kuvira." Ichiro said, "You moved up in the world."
"Same could be said about you." Kuvira said, her green eyes glancing towards Korra, "I read in the papers that you started dating the Avatar."
"He is." Genji said proudly, "Though they haven't had the sex yet."
"Completely understandable." Kuvira said with a smirk, "After all, it's a lot to swallow."
A silence fell between the group as Korra seemed to know what Kuvira had meant. Genji's eyes flicked between Ichiro and Kuvira before it hit him like a bomb.
He managed to startle the group when he suddenly yelled, "Oh, shit! Oh, shit!" before breaking down in hysterical laughter, "Oh shit! That is not happening right now! No!"
He walked towards the door of the guesthouses still laugh, opening a door and he peaked around the door to yell, "Hey! Hey everyone! Ichiro fucked the head of security! This is the best thing ever! " he returned to the group, as he sang, "Ichiro fucked the head of security! Ichiro fucked the head of security! Shit! Fuck!"
He had thrown an arm around Ichiro to keep himself off the ground as he broke down in laughter again.
"Okay, I can see what you mean." Opal said with a nod, "Grandpa Genji? Can I ask something?"
"Of course." Genji said, he recovered at once, "Anything for you, Little Drake."
"I want you to teach me the ways of the Shashou's." Opal said, "After all it's part of my heritage and I would..."
"You... You want to?" Genji said with a smile, "Sure! Of course!"
"I could also use your help." Ichiro said.
"Of course!" he said throwing an arm around Ichiro and Opal before pulling them close, "Anything for my two favorite grandkids!"
In the guesthouse where Lin was staying in. The police chief herself was on the sofa in the sitting room, reading a newspaper until she heard someone knock on the door.
"Who is it?" she said.
"Lin, I'm both respecting your privacy by knocking." Genji said from the other side of the door, "But asserting my authority as your father by coming in anyway." before he comes crashing through the door by using his full body as a battering ram, revealing that Ichiro and Opal where there as well.
"...Genji." Lin said annoyed as she watcher her dad laying on the floor, "What do you want."
"I brought someone who wants to talk to you." Ichiro said, gesturing to his niece, who had stepped into the room and was helping Genji up from the floor, "Don't do that. If you help him, he won't learn from it."
"You want to talk?" Lin said, "Then talk."
"I'm sorry being here has been so hard for you. When you showed up, I was so excited to get to know you and Ichiro." Opal began, "I heard so many great things about you from mom and Grandma Toph. So, I guess I was kind of sad you didn't want to know me. Believe me, I know my family can be a little crazy and overwhelming some times. But I would love it so much if you would be a part of it."
"Get out." Lin said annoyed much to the surprise of Genji and Ichiro.
"Sorry, did I say something wrong?" Opal said shocked.
"I said, get out!" Lin said seething.
Opal tears up and runs away.
"I'm so confused what to do now." Genji thought as he looked between his daughter and the door his granddaughter had left through, "I should kill anyone who hurts her, but the one who hurt her is my daughter, who is also under my protection."
"The fuck mom!" Ichiro said, "What's your problem?"
"Ichiro, don't curse in front of your mother." Genji said, "That's something you just don't do."
"Not now Genji!" Ichiro snapped before turning to his mother, "Don't get mad at Opal. I asked her to talk to you because I thought it would help you snap out of whatever funk you're in."
"Your a great detective, but this is something you can't save." Lin said, "You can't fix something that can't be fixed!"
Chapter 29. Which is basically Genji going:
"I've only had Opal for a day and a half!" Genji said, holding Opal in his arms, "But if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself!"
"Grandpa, please put me down..." Opal muttered.
Yes, I know in Canon Suyin and Lin aren't twin sister's but that is the change I mentioned.
Anyways many thanks to everyone who reads, reviews, favorite or follows this story, much gratitude! If you liked what you read, please leave a review and for now I wish you all a fantastic day and I hope to see you ladies and gents next time.