Yang exited Xiaolong's car for the final time, hiking her backpack onto her shoulders. The last two years had been perfect; a nice home, plenty of food, toys to play with, and most importantly, books to read and a cell phone to access the internet. Living with Xiaolong had been the best two years of her life.
But all good things must come to an end, and it was time to begin her journey as the Avatar. It was decided that Yang would begin her journey with the Air Nomads, as that would not only grant her some of the most versatile forms of bending, but it would begin her quest to get in touch with her spiritual nature. From there, she'd head to the Northern Water Tribe, since the spirit oasis had the moon and ocean spirits living right there at the North Pole. Her Earth Confederacy and Fire Nation path had not been chosen yet, as that was many years ahead of her.
Paka climbed out of the car and immediately darted up Yang's shoulder. She was glad he was accompanying her, and she was glad that he was so much more healthy than he'd been when Xiaolong found them. His fur was the red and white color it was meant to be, instead of the more sickly looking brown and gray it had been when they first met.
Yang looked over at her contact; an Air nun named Lanu. She kept the red and yellow color scheme of the Air Nation, but instead of the younger members of their Nation, she wore robes that denoted her mastery instead of the wingsuit. And of course, she had the Air Nomad arrow tattooed on her body. And next to her was her Sky Bison who would be taking Yang to the Eastern Air Temple, known to be the most spiritual of all the 5 Air Temples.
"Good to finally meet you in person, Yang," Lanu said, smiling as Yang approached.
"Good to meet you too…Mother? Sister?" Yang said, unsure what title was supposed to use with Lanu. They'd been talking for a while, but they'd never used titles before now. But now that Yang was a member of Lanu's temple, it was important to Yang to start treating her teachers with respect.
"Sister," Lanu said, smiling. "The Mothers are…wiser than I am."
Yang smiled back, understanding the euphemism; with age comes wisdom, so a "wise" woman would not be young. She turned around and looked back at Xiaolong and Yenzing. Those two had been her world for the last two years; Yenzing had fed her and played with her when Xiaolong was working, and he had been her earliest tutor as they found out her baseline. And Xiaolong not only played with her and supplied her with everything she needed, but he was also funding her journey; her clothes, her phone, her passport, everything. He'd set up a bank account for Yang to use for everything she'd ever need for years, and wanted to ensure that Yang would be alright.
"Thank you," Yang said. "For everything."
"Thank you," Xiaolong said. "For bringing so much joy into my life."
Yang smiled, and turned back to Lanu, who helped her climb into her Sky Bison. Once everyone was settled, Lanu took the reins and yelled "Yip! Yip!", and the Bison blasted into the air.
Yang immediately shouted out in excitement; she couldn't believe it, she was flying! She wondered if it would feel like this when she could finally use air bending this way on her own. Lanu just chuckled as Yang did this, knowing that riding a Sky Bison was uncommon outside the Air Nomads, but she was glad that Yang was enjoying herself.
It took about an hour, but eventually, their flight had settled into a rhythm, and Yang had the time she needed to look through the notes on her tablet and refresh her knowledge on the Air Nation and its history. It was broken into two distinct eras: before Sozin's Comet and after. For most of their history, they were a pacifistic nation, not taking part in any conflict, detaching themselves from the rest of the world and living freely. Once reaching a certain age, the Air Nomads roamed the world, making friends and bringing news from the rest of the world.
After Sozin's Comet, however, things changed. The Air Nomads were wiped out by the Fire Nation, which began the Hundred Years War. Only Avatar Aang remained, and after ending the war, it was his responsibility to bring them back. And through the efforts of Aang, Avatar Korra, and Aang's son Tenzin, they'd succeeded.
But their culture had shifted after being resurrected; instead of being free, they now focus on bringing peace and balance to the world. They traveled the world as an arm of the Avatar, helping people and spirits as protectors and mediators. This shift in culture would help Yang become the best Avatar she could be, but she wasn't completely comfortable at essentially being the "head" of the Air Nation, since Tenzin had pledged them to the Avatar's service when Avatar Korra was out of commission.
Eventually, the Sky Bison landed on the pad outside the bison stables, and was met by the Mother Superior, Yahun. She was an elderly woman, though like many of the new Air Nation, her features weren't classic Air Nomad. In fact, she had many of the sharp features of the Fire Nation, including their chin and her bronze eyes. However, based on her arrow and the way her forehead was shaved, she had wholeheartedly embraced Air Nomad culture and tradition.
"Welcome to the Eastern Air Temple, young Avatar," the mother superior said, extending her hand. "I trust your journey was pleasant?"
"Very much so," Yang said, taking the old woman's and hand and shook it. "I never thought I'd get to ride a Sky Bison."
"Yes, they've made a miraculous recovery since Avatar Aang's time," the old Mother said. "Though there are still not enough for every Air Nomad to befriend one. Only fully trained Sisters and Monks have the opportunity to befriend one now."
Yang nodded and began following the Mother. "So, what's going to happen now?"
The Mother smiled warmly. "Well, first off, we're going to introduce you to the other children, as they are very excited to meet you," she said. "And we'll allow them a few minutes to ask you questions about being the Avatar."
"But I don't know anything about being the Avatar," Yang said worriedly. "I don't even know what my native element is or how to enter the Avatar State willingly or anything else like that."
"Don't worry, Lanu and I will help you with troublesome questions," the Mother said. "But it's important to give the girls time to ask questions, as after today, you're nothing more than a foreign-born air bender to them."
Yang nodded, not completely understanding the Mother's reasoning, but she was glad she wasn't going to be treated any differently. She's lived the last two years as a non-bending girl, and now, she was just a regular air bender, at least until the nuns deemed her skill advanced enough to be called a master.
Yang was led to an auditorium filled with Air Nomads of all ages and sizes, though at the front of the room was a gathering of the youngest and least skilled air benders. The mother shuffled forward and, utilizing her air bending to enhance her voice, spoke to the crowd.
"Students and nuns of the Eastern Air Temple, the Avatar is finally here!" the Mother said. "This ten-year-old child of international descent has come to us to begin her journey on mastering the elements!"
The crowd began clapping as Lanu began checking the microphones for Yang and the children to use. They lacked the ability to project their voices with air bending just yet and required external amplification.
"Now, children, you have 5 minutes to ask Yang questions," the Mother said, gesturing to the microphone. "Who's first?"
A young girl walked up to the microphone, and asked her question; where are you from?
Yang, who had been given her microphone at this point, answered. "I'm from Republic City. I was homeless until 2 years ago."
The room was uncomfortably quiet for a moment as the next girl was brought forward; what's your native element?
"I don't know. I've been bending all four as long as I remember," Yang said, sadly. "I guess I figured out how to bend the elements to help me survive on the streets?"
The next child's question was a harsh one; why didn't you show up in the Air Nation like you were supposed to?
Lanu was quick to intervene and answer the question for Yang. "The Avatar Spirit decided that the 5th nation, the United Republic, deserved their own Avatar. As for why it happened, that's not a question that Yang, or anyone else for that matter, can answer."
The room was once again uncomfortably quiet before another child found the courage to break the ice; do you have an animal companion?
Yang smiled widely. "Of course!" She shouted, and immediately turned to her backpack. "Paka! Come here!" And Paka immediately darted out of Yang's bag and ran up and onto her shoulder. "This is Paka, my fire ferret! We've been friends for three years now!"
The questions continued for the remaining minutes before finally coming to an end, with the Mother Superior reminding all assembled that from this point going forward, Yang was simply and air bender, and that she'd receive no special treatment beyond her progress as a student. Whether she was quick or slow didn't matter; Yang was to be treated exactly the same as any other novice.
At that point, Yang was introduced to a girl in the Air Temple trainee robes, and curiously, she had shaved her head. Yang had been told shaving your head was a choice in the current Air Nation, but it was helpful for an air bender to help her sense vibrations in the air, a practice Yang had no interest in participating. She loved her hair, loved playing with it, loved styling it whenever she could. Someday, she might even dye it, partially or fully.
"My name's Lin," the girl said, extending her hand. "I'm going to show you to the dormitory."
"Thanks," Yang said, taking her hand. What happened next surprised Yang, since nobody expected Paka to crawl down Yang's arm and crawl up Lin's. He'd never done that before, so maybe Lin was alright.
"So…you were really homeless?" Lin asked as she led Yang down the hallway.
"Until Mr. Xiaolong took me in two years ago, yeah." Yang said.
"And you don't know anything else?" Lin asked. "Before Mr. Xiaolong took you in, I mean."
"No," Yang said, sadly. "I don't even remember my parents. They went missing a long time ago."
"You've got a lot in common with us native air benders," Lin said. "Most of us don't know our parents, either. And I'm special too; I'm doner conceived. My mom and my dad never met. Mom and her wife and dad and his husband wanted to make another air bender was born."
Yang smiled and continued to talk to Lin for a few minutes before finally landing at her room. As with all foreign-born air benders, Yang was being allowed a private room; air benders born into the culture were expected to assimilate fully and live in the greater barracks, but foreign-born benders were allowed their privacy, since that's what they were accustomed to.
Yang opened the door, and Paka immediately started into the room and started sniffing around. Yang smiled and entered, with Lin following suit. "Your robes are in the top drawer. Morning meditation starts at 6am, so make sure you're ready."
"Thank you, Lin," Yang said. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
As Lin closed the door behind her, Yang took stock of her situation. First, she had been taken in by a rich business owner, who despite all the pressure put upon him, was extremely kind and caring. Now, she was at the starting point of a greater journey, a great adventure. She wondered where her path would take her from this point forward.
