Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra, or any of the related characters. The Avatar universe is created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and owned by Nickelodeon. This fanfiction is intended for entertainment only.
Book 1: Dark
Chapter 9: The United Forces' General
The morning sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as the group gathered in the kitchen, preparing for the next chapter of their journey, which was to leave Republic City with United Forces' fleet and full support. Mona and Gyila, having spent most of the night chatting, found themselves waking up next to each other. The air was filled with a comfortable warmth from the morning sunshine as they exchanged playful glances, fully clothed but hearts laid bare. Their connection had deepened over the course of the night, setting the stage for a new understanding between them.
As Jinora, Gyila, Kairo, Mona, and Senna had breakfast in the Republic City Air Temple calmly, thinking about their soon departure, a familiar face entered the dining room. Everyone glanced at this young airbender. Gyila stood up and cleared his throat. "Rala!" he tried to exclaim.
"It is nice to see you!" said the woman named Rala, punching Gyila's arm playfully. "I totally forgot you live here," said Gyila with a nervous smile.
"Everyone, this is Rala, my uh, yeah, Rala Beifong," Gyila introduced her to everyone. Mona noticed the little chuckle coming from Jinora in response to Gyila's struggles with talking.
"Beifong?" wondered Mona. Kairo, almost feeling Mona's confusion, whispered in Mona's ear, "She is Opal Beifong and Bolin's granddaughter." Now that made sense. "Oh, and also Gyila's ex-girlfriend," he added.
"Gyila, Rala will accompany you to the meeting with the President," said Jinora informatively.
"Kairo! You little Fire Nation Cop, what are you doing here?!" exclaimed Rala, followed by her run towards Kairo. This woman was sure very energetic. Rala slowly met everyone and joined them for breakfast, while Mona kindly remembered last night.
"You know, air nomads' culture really interested me while I was studying at Ba Sing Se. I admire your way of living," said Mona mid-conversation. They were talking about their lives and trying to learn every little detail about themselves. "Thank you," he answered. "I felt really connected to this culture. It feels right."
"What about your parents?" asked Gyila, hoping it wasn't a delicate subject.
"My mother is an accounting professor at the Republic City University, and my father works as Future Industries' publisher. They came to Republic City to study and met at college. They decided to stay in the city, got married, found jobs, and eventually had me. They are very clever when it comes to technology and invention stuff. But I really am an idiot when it comes to those kinds of stuff. I am old smart, not new smart," she explained. Gyila responded with a chuckle.
"What about your parents?" asked Mona curiously. "My mother is a merchant, and my father is a councilman in Omashu. They are quite rich. You know, Kairo has always been my best friend. Of course, I am not happy he was abandoned, but I am glad my parents found him," Mona cut his sentence. "Wait, what?"
"I never mentioned it to you?" asked Gyila, surprised. Mona answered by shaking her head. "Huh."
"You never told me how you managed to befriend Wan Shi Tong," asked Gyila, changing the subject.
"When he found out I was an anthropologist, he got warmed up really fast. He has a saying: knowledge for knowledge's sake. Well, anthropology is somewhat like that. We just study the cultures just because of knowledge's sake."
Mona snapped out of her memories from the last night with Jinora's voice. "Everyone, the President is waiting for the meeting to discuss the… latest events." She turned to Senna.
"Senna, I apologize, but you should stay here. Being Chief Varran's daughter, we cannot secure your safety," Senna nodded with an understanding.
"It is for the best. We will come back as soon as possible," assured Kairo.
Gyila opened the television, standing in the middle of the kitchen. He browsed between the news channels, every single one of them showcasing the chaos of the Water Tribes'. Fighting scenes, screams, and interviews. Gyila stopped at one channel, and everyone started to watch a middle-aged man being interviewed. "The North should leave the South! The South is independent and will not be forced to bow down. I have a message for that so-called Chief Varran: we will never surrender!"
As Kairo, Mona, Gyila, and Rala mounted Oshka, Mona had a better opportunity to look at the Republic City. The metropolis had evolved since Korra's time, with towering skyscrapers and a network of modern roads. Technological improvements were evident –billboards adorned the cityscape, airships floated above, and people constantly worked and were in a rush. The air hummed with a harmonious blend of spirit energy and technological progress.
The team made their way to the Republic City Presidential Palace, a symbol of governance and order. Inside, President Wu, grandson of former Prince Wu, a descendant of the Former Earth Kingdom noble, welcomed them. For the last seventy years, Earth City States have chosen their leaders by-election and have been independent of one another. So, President Wu's involvement in politics did not raise any problems.
The meeting room was decorated in a very modern way. A big and long table in the middle and a screen at the end for projections and presentations. President Wu, clothed in formal attire, addressed the gathered team, "Greetings, Avatar and his friends. Your arrival is crucial in these uncertain times. We've received reports of the escalating conflict between the Southern and Northern Water Tribes. We must act swiftly to prevent a full-scale war," President Wu began, his expression reflecting the weight of the situation.
Kairo informed the President about the surprising arrival of the Northern Chief, the feast that they attended, Varran's declaration of unity, the Southern Chief's support, Mona's transformation to Aisu, and Hoaq's declaration of war.
President Wu troubledly listened to the young Avatar. "In an hour, the fleet and air force of the United Forces will arrive with the newly appointed General Taiga. You must leave as soon as they arrive," said the President firmly.
As the discussion progressed, President Wu introduced another pressing matter – a recent discovery of a new clean energy source under the Southern Water Tribe.
"This new energy source has the potential to reshape the world's power dynamics. Our scientists call it Lunamiva Core. We must ensure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands and is used for the collective benefit of all nations," President Wu declared, his eyes reflecting a sense of responsibility.
With a knock on the door, a woman and a man entered the meeting room. "Dad!" exclaimed Mona, and the father and daughter shared a warm and long-due hug.
"Let me introduce you to the CEO of Future Industries, Sora Ichi, and the head publisher of the company, Onka Sanreq.
"It is a great honor to meet you, everyone," said the middle-aged woman, Sora.
"The Future Industries were kind enough to donate the machines and technologies required to harvest Lunamiva Core. Perhaps with this new information, Chief Taluru can change his mind," suggested President Wu. Mona got suspicious.
"Thank you for your kind help, Miss. Sora. And how would we repay you in return?" asked Mona diplomatically.
"Thirty percent of the income," responded the CEO without beating around the bush.
"Thirty percent?!" exclaimed Mona. "No, I am sorry, we need to bargain a little bit,"
"Mona, you must think logically. Southern Water Tribe can't harvest the resource without the Future Industries," begged Mona's father. Mona glanced at him in disbelief.
"I am aware of that, father. But does Future Industries need all that money, anyway? I know for a fact that Southern Water Tribe does. How about twenty percent?" suggested Mona.
Kairo wanted to support his friend. "Mona is right, President Wu, Sora, and Onka. We are trying to save the Southern Tribe from Varran's exploitation. Now, I am not saying that you will be exploiting Southern Tribe, but thirty percent is quite a lot."
Sora and President Wu shared glances. "All right, twenty percent it is," declared Sora.
As the discussions drew to a close, President Wu extended his support. "Team Avatar, the fate of the Water Tribes and the balance of the world rest in your hands. May the spirits guide you. You have United Forces' full support."
With a renewed sense of purpose, the team left the Presidential Palace, ready to embark on the next phase of their journey. Republic City, with its mix of tradition and innovation, stood as a testament to the evolving world they sought to protect.
As they returned to the Air Temple and joined the others on the docks, they noticed the enormous fleet, the United Forces. As the lead ship anchored, a new and commanding presence approached. A young woman, assertive and attractive, with flames dancing gracefully around her as if acknowledging her firebending powers, stepped forward. She exuded confidence, and her piercing gaze spoke volumes of her determination.
"Princess Taiga of the Fire Nation, General of the United Forces," she introduced herself with her fierce golden eyes and her matching dyed golden hair. Taiga, the twenty-four-year-old firebender, granddaughter of General Iroh II, and Princess of the Fire Nation, was not one to be underestimated.
With her arrival, the new Team Avatar was complete – Kairo, Gyila, Mona, Senna, and the fiery General Taiga. Each member brought a unique skill set to the table, and as they gathered, a sense of purpose and unity washed over them.
Taiga wasted no time in addressing the group while they settled on the ship. "Our mission is clear. We stand against the threat of war and the exploitation of the Southern Water Tribe. We'll need to navigate the delicate political landscape of both tribes and ensure a peaceful resolution."
The assertiveness in Taiga's tone resonated with the group, and they nodded in agreement. With her full support, being the highest-ranking general in the United Forces, they prepared to set sail to the Southern Water Tribe. Some ships, though fewer in number, headed toward the Northern Water Tribe to assess the situation and understand the complexities of the unfolding conflict.
On another part of the ship, Gyila and Mona shared a quiet moment, watching the sea below them. Gyila, with a gentle smile, said, "Last night was something, huh?"
Mona, her eyes reflecting the newfound connection between them, replied, "It was. Let's focus on what's ahead, Gyila. We have a job to do."
Last night was definitely the best night of Mona's life, but right now, a more delicate issue commanded their full concentration and attention. Right now, Mona's priority was the safety of the Southern Water Tribe.
As they stepped out of the city, Mona couldn't help but think about the turmoil she had to leave her hometown in. How would she look at Hoaq and Master Sadin's eyes again? How are they? Are they fighting, hiding, winning, imprisoned, injured… dead? Mona shut her eyes, trying to clear that thought. No, they were strong. They would never hide or surrender, but they would not go down easy, either.
On another part of the ship, Kairo, although certainly distracted by the start of a war, was still troubled by his conversations with Asami and Iroh. What was wrong with him, and would he be able to bring balance to the water tribes without solving himself? He had to; he had no other choice.