Book One: Metal
01 | The State of Affairs Pt. 1
"In the wake of Korra's time, the world has undergone profound transformations. The passing of Avatar Korra, who succumbed to heart disease at the age of seventy, marked the end of an era. Her legacy, however, endured as the integration of spirit technology became a cornerstone of progress.
Republic City now possesses a harmonious coexistence with spirits, their presence woven into every aspect of daily life. As technological marvels continue to change the world, tensions escalate among the once-united nations.
Against this backdrop, a new Avatar emerges. Jinsei, an Earthbending prodigy, inherits the world on the brink of war, and only the Avatar can harness the elements to prevent its descent into chaos and rise to the challenges that lie ahead…"
The streets of Gaoling hummed with vibrant energy as Jinsei navigated his way through the bustling marketplace. Colorful stalls, filled with exotic fruits and locally-made wares, lined the cobbled streets. The air carried the aroma of cooked meats and baked goods, promising all passersby a wonderful meal.
Jinsei, a young Earthbender with spiked black hair, meandered through the crowd with an easy grace. To some, the crowds would be overwhelming. To him, it was normal. It was home. The traditional Democratic Earth Nation attire he wore contrasted with the hints of technological wonder that was woven into the fabric of daily life.
As he strolled through the marketplace, Jinsei couldn't help but notice how far Gaoling had come. What began as a small village, now stood as a powerful city. Neon signs adorned storefronts, casting a powerful glow that competed with the warmth of the sun. A mix of traditional tea houses and sleek, newly established cafes lined the streets, blending the old with the new.
In the distance, the whirring sound of Satomobiles echoed, replacing the old-fashioned sounds of horse-drawn carts. Years ago, Satomobiles were primarily confined to Republic City. Now, they had spread across the nations. Citizens hurried along the sidewalks, some reading newspapers while others wore devices resembling portable cassette players.
Jinsei approached a street vendor selling handcrafted wares, where a spirit-energy-powered holographic display showcased the day's deals. The vendor called out to all who would hear.
"Handmade jewelry! Made with traditional Southern Water tribe techniques!"
Jinsei smiled. "Lookin' good, Takumi. How are sales?"
Takumi's blue eyes lit up at the sight of Jinsei. There was an unspoken respect between the two. Takumi's clothing resembled an updated water tribe outfit. Made out of a water-resistant fabric, Takumi wore a suit that reflected a blend of tradition and contemporary style, celebrating his Water Tribe roots while embracing the latest fashion trends.
Takumi drew closer and spoke in a hushed tone. "Tourists have been flocking to my stall like Possum chicken. Everyone wants a taste of Water Tribe authenticity."
Jinsei laughed. "This coming from a guy who's never been outside of the Earth Nation."
Takumi hit Jinsei on the shoulder. "It doesn't matter! The people eat it up. I swear, you slap 'Water Tribe' on anything they'll treat it like an ancient artifact. And besides, I'm going to the Southern tribe. Eventually. One day."
Takumi paused and looked out at the horizon for a moment before saying: "But not today. So, do you want to buy a bracelet or what?"
Jinsei's response to the question was a combination of politeness and a genuine attempt to appreciate the humor. "Not today. No offense, but I could hardly pay rent as is."
Takumi smiled as other customers approached. "Isn't that the truth? Well, if you're not buying, I'll see you later. By the way, I think Master Bolin was looking for you."
Jinsei's eyes widened as the memory of his commitment to Master Bolin rushed back to him. His brows furrowed in a mix of concern and mild self-chiding. "Oh, spirits, I completely forgot about training with Master Bolin. I can't let him down."
With a determined expression, Jinsei set out swiftly to make amends and said goodbye to Takumi. He couldn't believe that he had let something so important slip his mind. With all the tourists flowing into Gaoling, he completely lost track of time. Jinsei rushed as fast as he could to his usual training place, a serene and expansive valley outside of Gaoling, surrounded by towering cliffs and adorned with scattered boulders. The landscape around is a blend of rolling hills and open fields.
Master Bolin stood at the center of the training ground, an imposing figure that commanded the attention of all who stood before him. He was a former mover star, pro-bending athlete, aide to the President, and a master Earthbender. His weathered face, etched with time, echoed all of his life experiences without uttering a single word.
"You're late."
Jinsei walked over and bowed as he tried to catch his breath from the sprint. "I apologize, Master Bolin. It won't happen again."
"Just as the earth endures the weight of storms and seasons, so must you weather the challenges you face. Your responsibilities will increase as you grow older, not the opposite. We all have responsibilities. But you have a special responsibility to this world. You are the Avatar."
Jinsei reacted with a blend of surprise, uncertainty, and a growing sense of doubt that echoed within him. As the weight of the title rested on his shoulders and the thought of a duty that he was destined to fulfill in his mind, he instinctively glanced around.
"I am honored, Master. I just…don't know what I've done to prove that. I've never been able to enter the Avatar state or control any of the other elements. I'm just an Earth-bender."
Master Bolin smiled. "Jinsei, being the Avatar isn't about having all the answers or mastering every element from the start. It's about your journey, your growth, and the challenges you face along the way. It's about rising up to an impossible challenge."
He offers a warm smile, attempting to ease Jinsei's mind. "I am here for you to learn and help you discover your future as the Avatar in your own time. The strength of the Avatar comes from understanding oneself. You must embrace the journey, not skip to the destination."
Jinsei bowed once more. "Wise words as always, Master Bolin."
Master Bolin let out a powerful laugh. "Hardly. Most of those were quotes from Movers I was in back when I was your age. But the point is, you are on the path. Which brings us to today's lesson. It seems you need to be reminded of your inner strength. Luckily for you, I've arranged a training course that will allow you to showcase all of your abilities. Impress me, and I'll even reward you."
Jinsei's expression turned to a smile. Master Bolin's respect was more than enough of a prize for him. But if Bolin was offering him something, then whatever it was must have been important. He hoped that it would be something that could help him on his Avatar journey. The journey that he still had his doubts about. If he truly was the Avatar, he would do whatever it took to defend the world. But if he wasn't, he didn't want to tarnish the title of the Avatar. A title that he looked on with such admiration. A title that he respected.
"Understood, Master," Jinsei said with a determined expression.
His master moved to an observation area, allowing him to watch his pupil closely and carefully. Next to him was a large creature, one who was aching to run up to Jinsei in an embrace.
"I'll be watching. Terra will be too." Bolin turned to the animal. "Thank you for letting us chat. You can go to him now."
Terra, Jinsei's Badgermole animal companion, sprinted forward and knocked him to the ground. She was still young, so her size was smaller than typical Badgermole depictions, but still large enough to hold multiple people on her back. Her sightless sense recognized Jinsei from a mile away.
"Hey, girl." He said as he petted her. "I got you something special."
Jinsei produced an exotic fruit from his bag and held it out to Terra. She sniffed it cautiously before scooping it into her mouth with her tongue. The Badgermole shouted from excitement. It was delicious. Exactly what she wanted.
"Root for me, Terra. I want to impress him." Jinsei said. Without a moment's hesitation, Terra licked his face. It was her way of saying that she believed in him.
The training area was expansive with distinct sections representing different Earthbending environments. Jinsei stood at the entrance, focused and ready. Master Bolin watched from a platform, eager to witness his student's performance. Terra thumped her paws in excitement.
The Earthbending test began. Jinsei sprinted forward at top speeds onto rocky terrain, feeling the Earth beneath his feet with every step. He raised his arms and the rocks responded, floating upward into a path for Jinsei to walk across. With fluent momentum, he jumped from platform to platform before reaching the next area.
The course turned from smooth earth to a section of large metal structures. Jinsei wondered if his master had any help putting the course together. It looked as though a lot of thought and energy went into its design and functionality. The sight of it made Jinsei want to succeed even more.
Jinsei focused on the metal around him and the unpurified earth within. In one fluent motion, the metal wall of one of the structures flew off, becoming a weapon that destroyed the metal barricade that led to the next area of the course.
Next, Jinsei faced a pool of searing-hot lava. He approached the molten streams and felt the heat on his face. He focused and with coordinated movements, cooled the lava into solidified stone, allowing him to walk to the final area of the course.
The final segment of the course featured loose dunes. Jinsei stepped on the uneven terrain and brought both of his arms into a sweeping motion. Two mounds of sand morphed into an intricate human-sized sandcastle with vast hallways. Jinsei smiled. Terra thumped her tail in approval. Master Bolin looked on, satisfied. His voice boomed down to Jinsei from up above.
"You say you are just an Earthbender. But you are more than that. You are a Metalbender, a Lavabender, and a Sandbender. A true Earthbending prodigy." Master Bolin said. "Confidence is like the roots of a great tree. It starts small, but with time, can grow. Trust in the path you walk and with each step, you'll grow more into the person that you're meant to be. And before you ask, yes that was another quote from a Mover."
Jinsei and Bolin laughed together, a testament to their bond as Master and pupil. The two found a moment of respite after the day's lesson and spent some time together in the training ground. The two laughed constantly and Bolin told crazy stories from his youth. But eventually, Bolin remembered that he had promised his student a reward if he had been impressed.
"I almost forgot. Your reward." Master Bolin reached into his white sleeves with a slight shake. He was an old man of 93 years old now. Most of his family and friends were gone. But in a unique way, it was like his best friend, Korra, was right beside him. She lived on through Jinsei.
"I have two passes for you. It's for a press conference tomorrow night. The reason that so many people are here right now is because Fire Nation and Earth Nation representatives are here to have peace talks. They are trying to avoid another war."
Jinsei had never imagined the possibility of the nations going to war again. There had been peace between nations for all twenty years of his life, so anything else seemed like an impossibility. But with reports of instability in both nations and a race to create the most powerful spirit-powered weapon, the threat of war was more real than ever.
"I was invited to go tomorrow with a plus one but," Bolin continued. "I'd rather go to bed. But if you and Takumi wanted to hear the latest news firsthand, you're welcome to."
Jinsei smiled. He loved the idea. Not only would he be seeing history made before his eyes, but he'd have his best friend by his side. After a day running through the marketplace and training with his master, it sounded like a great way to end the night.
"Thank you, Master. I'll ask Takumi but that's very generous of you."
Bolin yawned. "Enjoy yourselves and stay safe. If you need me, you know where to find me." Bolin boosted himself up with Earthbending and walked to his home near the training area.
Jinsei, after a rigorous training session with his Master, made his way back into the heart of Gaoling on the back of Terra. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city. As Jinsei rode Terra through the marketplace, he quickly spotted a familiar figure by the city's waterways. Jinsei watched as Takumi practiced elegant Waterbending techniques near the edge of a pond. Takumi noticed Jinsei and turned to him.
"You look like you've been sweating," Takumi said with wit. "Master Bolin pushing you to move Mountains yet?"
Jinsei wiped the sweat from his brow. "I still have a long way to go before that."
Jinsei jumped down from Terra's back and gave her a pat on the nose. "Master Bolin was impressed by me today! He even gave me two press passes to get an exclusive look at the peace talks happening tomorrow night. So I was thinking-"
In a burst of excitement, Takumi finished Jinsei's sentence before he could. "Wear our nicest clothes and listen to the state of the world? I'm in."
Jinsei and Takumi performed their secret handshake, something that they had been perfecting for years. The handshake was a combination of fluid movements and solid gestures, a testament to the traditions of Waterbending and Earthbending. It began with a firm handshake that seamlessly transitioned into synchronized and fluid hand movements. At the end, there was a shared glance that signified their support for each other. A telltale sign that they'd always have each other's backs. It was a secret language that was larger than words.
Jinsei smiled and then…he felt it. His connection with the Earth alerted him to subtle disturbances beneath the surface. The ground, usually steady and unmoving, sent a tingling sensation through his body. It was a warning from the very Earth that he stood upon. Takumi recognized his friend's expression immediately.
"What's wrong?" Takumi asked.
Jinsei tried to focus on the vibrations. They were irregular. The vibrations intrigued Jinsei but also filled him with the worry of potential danger.
"There's something out there. The earth is trying to tell me something." He closed his eyes for a moment. "There's a series of tunnels and passages beneath the city. It feels like they were built recently."
Takumi's eyes widened from worry. "What are the odds that this 'disturbance' has nothing to do with the peace talks going on tomorrow night?"
Jinsei's expression turned serious. "I'd imagine pretty low."
Jinsei's bravery came to the forefront of his demeanor. "I'm going to check it out. See what's going on. Are you coming with?"
Takumi grabbed a device from his bag. An ingeniously designed water gauntlet that can enhance his ability to carry and control larger amounts of water. In these modern times, water was not always around for Takumi to water bend. This gauntlet, however, was a technological marvel, combining Water Tribe-inspired craftmanship with modern engineering. It consisted of a sleek, metal forearm brace that housed a water reservoir. With this, it didn't matter where Takumi was. He would always be in his element.
"Count me in."
Jinsei and Takumi embarked on their underground investigation and decided to use Terra's unique abilities to get them to the source of the disturbance. With determined expressions, the trio made their way to a discreet alleyway where they could begin their descent into the earth. They mounted Terra, climbing onto her sturdy back.
Terra responded to Jinsei's commands and used her powerful claws to dig into the ground. With her Earthbending, Terra parted the earth smoothly, creating an opening for them to descend. The light faded as they went deeper and deeper. Terra used her sightless senses to focus on the seismic fluctuations. Both Jinsei and Terra could feel that something was wrong, but neither of them were sure exactly what. Takumi focused on the water around the group, parting any water that came up as the trio continued traveling down.
The group emerged in an underground chamber adorned with glittering crystals and precious materials. There was a vast underground world beneath Gaoling, and this was just the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. But the disturbances felt closer. Even Takumi, standing next to the two Earthbenders could feel it now. Subtle vibrations cast through the chamber triggered the trio's senses. They pressed on through the tunnels. Terra's claws cut through the Earth with precision, guiding Jinsei and Takumi to a surprising sight.
A group of Earthbenders clad in black, their figures outlined in a soft glow from the crystals around them, engaged in what appeared to be a secret meeting. Jinsei, Takumi, and Terra stayed in the shadows, observing the scene before them. The Earthbenders huddled around a makeshift table formed out of their Earthbending. Maps and scrolls were spread out, detailing strategic points in both the Democratic Earth Nation and the Fire Nation.
The leader of the group, the only member with her face uncovered, addressed the others with a commanding presence. Most of their faces were obscured, but all of their voices echoed through the cavern. The Earthbenders planned a disruption, intent on sabotaging the peace talks between the two nations.
"The time has come for us to strike," The woman declared. "We shall orchestrate an earthquake powerful enough to shake the very foundations of peace."
The Earthbenders exchanged confident glances. "You all know your roles, and you know your positions. The moment that Representative Akiko of the Fire Nation is present, we strike. The chaos that follows will not only dissolve peace but perhaps even place blame on the Earth Nation."
Jinsei, Takumi, and Terra recognized the threat to peace. Takumi's eyes looked to Jinsei. Jinsei paused for a moment. His eyes swept across the scene before him, assessing the situation with a serious expression. A decision was before him. Negotiation, Cowardice, or Violence. Then, with a nod, Jinsei's expression hardened.
As Jinsei, Takumi, and Terra stepped out from the shadows, the cavern turned into a battleground. The Earthbenders responded to their presence immediately, recognizing that they had overheard their plans. In their eyes, the two boys and their Badgermole couldn't leave the cavern alive.
Jinsei took a powerful stance, his eyes focused on the Earthbenders. With a swift motion, he raised a barrier of earth, creating a shield to intercept any incoming attacks. Terra charged forward, following the lead of her best friend. Takumi activated his water gauntlet. Water flowed through the channels and conduits within the metal device. Then, water soared out from the gauntlet and formed into a water whip that Takumi directed at the attackers.
The Earthbenders attacked, signaled by their leader. Boulders hurled through the air with powerful force. Jinsei countered with his Earth barrier, but one boulder made it through. He lashed forward with a punch and shattered the boulder with Earthbending of his own. Terra charged forward and used her claws to disrupt the Earthbender's battle strategies.
The underground clash raged on, with the impact of rock and water echoing around them. Jinsei's Earthbending seemed to be on par with his opponents. He would intercept their attacks but when he responded with one of his own, they dealt with it just as easily. They had strength in numbers. But Jinsei could make up for that. Channeling his deep connection with the Earth, Jinsei tapped into his most advanced form of Earthbending, Lava bending.
He raised his hands, and molten rock flowed out of the ground, filling the cavern with heat. Jinsei controlled the lava with a precision that reflected his training and mastery of his element. With a combination of movements, the lava flowed forward in a wave of destruction toward the Earthbenders. With an unspoken agreement, the Earthbenders worked together to raise a large wall of earth, blocking the lava and Terra's advances, and giving them a chance to escape. This battle wasn't won, but they would live to fight another day. They manipulated the earth around them to create a tunnel out, sealing it behind them.
Jinsei cooled the molten rock with a swing of his arms. Takumi ran forward towards the Earthbender's makeshift exit and shouted.
"Jinsei, move the rocks! We can still catch up to them!"
Jinsei shook his head. "No. We need to tell Master Bolin and the representatives from the two nations. It'll be easier to catch them when we have more help."
Takumi took a moment to contemplate the events that had unfolded. A smug smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he acknowledged "I hate it when you're right." But even so, the threat was clear. Someone for some reason wished to dissolve peace between the two nations. Though it wasn't clear why to the trio, it became evident that someone or something wanted this war to happen. The foreboding thought ran a chill through Jinsei and Takumi's spine as they realized the peace that they had enjoyed their entire lives may have finally been coming to an end.
Meanwhile, near the Southern Water tribe, darkness gathered. In the hidden depths of a remote cave, two silhouettes were illuminated by free-standing torches. The air was heavy with suspense as the two figures bore the garb of their respective nations, Water and Air. The two surrounded a central pedestal.
At the center of the duo's attention lay an ancient, ornate container, intricately adorned with symbols. The container was sealed and its contents, a figure trapped within, had been bathing in water from the Spirit Oasis for countless years. The murmurs of the two figures grew hushed as the moment that they had been waiting for approached.
The two figures performed a dance of sorts; an ancient bending combination that brought the forces of their two abilities together. Water swirled and gusts of air combined. The energy in the cavern intensified as the symbols glowed bright, responding to each and every movement in the combination.
As the last moments of bending faded, cracks formed on the surface of the container. The container shattered, revealing a liberated figure within, a muscular shirtless man with long black hair and a thick beard. The Water Bender and Air Bender bowed before the figure. The being, now free from imprisonment stood as a testament to the two's ability to wield their power.
The Waterbender, a woman named Kaida, took a step in front of her air-bending companion, Yumi. She looked from her partner to the figure as a smile formed on her lips.
"Welcome, great one," she began "In the shadows of bending, a new era is formed. As the Eclipse casts its shadow, a new world rises. One that does not rely on the Avatar to save it."
Yumi stepped forward, his Airbending tattoos traveling down his entire body. "It's time we control our own destinies."
He put a hand out to the awoken figure.
"Wouldn't you agree?"
Thank you for checking out "The Epic of Jinsei". Originally, I was going to have my concept for a "pilot" of a third Avatar series occur all in the first chapter. But reading over it, I realized it was running pretty long. So this chapter acts as the first part of a two-part pilot! Also, most of this was written before I saw the announcement for an Earthbending Avatar-led series to come in the future so this will just be me exploring my own original story that I'm sure will be very different than what Avatar Studios will be giving us.
Feel free to leave a review with questions and I'll address these questions in further chapters in a section just like this that takes place after the chapter. I'm a huge fan of Avatar and want to show respect to the series while also giving my ideas on how to keep the series fresh and interesting.
Again, thank you for checking out "The Epic of Jinsei" and stay tuned for more to come!