Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“One’s honor is tantamount to one’s very existence.”

This decree by the very first Firelord, Tengoku Ryuji, is the founding principle to which he established the unification of the seven clans of flame into the Fire Nation.

It is also this very principle that the right to “strike and leave” had been established. It gave strict but brutal guidelines to resolve offenses made by those of a lower class to those who outrank them.

The offended party had 1 day to enact their retaliation, to which the offending party had the right to defend themselves. Should the offending party refuse or flee, they and their family would be subject to harsh punishment… Health workers and the like were exempt to the right for obvious reasons. And the right doesn’t extend to nonbenders unless they had a member within their family who could firebend and fight on their behalf.

The surviving party of the skirmish still had to report the encounter and their recollection of the events leading to it, as well as spend a mandatory reflection period in their home regardless of whether he was deemed to be righteous or not. And being deemed to not be just also had steep penalties.

With the merged hierarchy of the seven clans into one body, the continued infighting due to past factional disputes made these guidelines necessary. But as time went on, the right had been exploited by the clan heads to eliminate rising threats amongst each other.

This was one of many subjects of reformation made by Firelord Zoryu to centralize power away from the clans. No longer did the right belong to the higher class of the two, as two people of equal standing could now invoke it via a formal challenge. The right now had to be exercised via a public duel with at least one ranking or formerly ranked official present, to which the challenge shall take place at a later date. And the duel would end only when one participant has been burned.  

Should the challenged party refuse, their honor was tainted, but the maximum punishment they could receive was banishment via decree from the Firelord.

To reflect the amendments to the right, it would then on be referred to as “Agni Kai”

The right continued to exist lawfully until it was abolished by Firelord Zuko after the 100 year war. But even though it was no longer a legal right, the fire duel still persists to this day…

---

The arena filled with voices of confusion as two opponents were present within the field.

They had already been given the signal to commence what was the first of two semi-final matches, but they knelt with their backs facing each other. After a count of ten, they finally stood and faced each other.

One of them was a boy with a light complexion, hair as black as gecko-ravens, and eyes as gold as the sun. The other was a boy of slightly more tan complexion, with dark brown hair the color of platypus-bears, and heterochromatic eyes; his right eye being gold and his left is as blue as the ocean.

“I’m sorry it has to be this way, Cousin!”

“No you’re not.”

And with that time for pre-fight quips was done. They knew what was on the line, and this was the perfect venue to resolve it.

“”AGNI-KAI””

To be continued

Chapter Text

There is a lot that can capture one’s attention on the newly paved roads of Baihe. The towns were loaded with merchants eager to take advantage of today’s events and the surplus of tourists it brought. A stray firework or two would go off every now and then, signaling the budding excitement of the locals.

Inside the entourage of carriages was the Firelord’s wife and three of her children. The eldest of them was a girl whose long blackish-brown hair flowed past her shoulders outside of a single top knot. She wore dark red royal robes with a gold trim. The middle child was a boy with dark brown haired wrapped into a high ponytail. Outside of his slightly tanner complexion, he was the splitting image of his father. He donned the royal fire nation robes under a black tunic. The youngest was a girl whose tan complexion matched her mothers, with brown hair wrapped in a braided bun in the back and hair loopies in the front. Her purple water tribe kimono tunic matched the one worn by her mother.

The three of them managed to find ways to pass the time as their mother went over documents. One thing that held the prince’s attention in particular from outside the royal precession escort was the looming statue of two dragons in the center of his newly arrived destination; Fire Fountain City. The massive red and blue dragon sculptures spiraled around each other until their heads pointed upwards at perpendicular angle, where their mouths pumped a flame vortex towards the sky.

According to his father, the statue had replaced the previous one to symbolize a new era that embraces everything; the old and the new, the good and the bad, tradition and progress, the mistakes of the past and corrections towards a brighter future. But all the boy could think about was how amazing it looked.

“Finally, we’re close! I can’t wait to check out the statue again!”

“What’s the big deal Uryu? You guys have seen it like a dozen times already.”

“Just because you’re too cool for everything, doesn’t mean you have to rain on my parade Suzune.”

“Oh please, you don’t see Kyanna going crazy over it still!”

“That’s because I’m just ready to get out of this cart.”

“Are you sure that’s what you are waiting for… not a certain arrow-head you’ve been drooling over?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about Suzune!”

“I don’t know, big sis might be playing for the enemy team, but she’s not wrong…”

“Ughh….. Mom! Suzu and Ryu are ganging up on me again!”

Their mother finally looked away from her papers with a warm but stern look at the three of them.

“Settle down everyone. I know you all are amped up for the tournament, we’ll be arriving soon enough!”

“We would have arrived sooner if we got to tag along on Dad’s dragon like Asuka did…”

The sly quip from the crown princess that she thought she had whispered didn’t go unnoticed from her mother.

“Your father had to arrive sooner to go over last minute logistics for the event, Suzune. Besides, your little brother isn’t competing so he can afford to have messy dragonback hair.”

Uryu secretly thought his brother was lucky as he fixed his eyes back towards the statue ahead.

---

The royal precession finally arrived at a courtyard just outside the newly erected F.F.C. Rensha Arena, where they were flanked by guards as the area was filled with spectators. Today is the opening day of the first ever Junior International bending tournament, so it drew crowds from high and low. The endless roars of the crowds were deafening.

In the years after the war, the nations had searched for ways to repurpose the talents of their soldiers into a form of entertainment that could unite them in a shared sense of healing. Eventually the leaders came together and formed a series of bending/athletic competitions that would be held every year, with a rotating venue each year.

This event became an overwhelming success, and one event in particular drew a lot of attention worldwide: the bending battle tournament. 32 of the top bending and combat talents from around the world competed in a separate, single bracket competition. This was especially a hit because each competitor got to represent their country/nationality, which in turn led to all the nations being able to have a peaceful venue to showcase their best against each other.

Given that the heroes of the war were teenagers at the time, it was only a matter of course for a pipeline for younger talent was developed to draw interest from the masses. Today would be the first time the young ones would take the center stage in a multitude of competitions, as this event had a range of eligible age from 13 to 18. This also led to the formation of singular and mixed combat schools, which further drew in fandoms between the nations.

As the four royals made it into the lobby, they were met by a sea of participants for all the competitions and their families.

“Hey, you guys finally made it!”

Gesturing towards Uryu was a boy around his age with a blue arrow on his forehead and short brown hair. He wore a set of robes in yellow and orange, with matching pants and a staff in his hands. Flanking him not to far behind was his parents. His father’s attire matched the boys outside of being all yellow, and the blue arrow was fully visible on his bald head. His clean shaven smile was as warm as always. The mother had a white and green dress with various earth kingdom patterns embedded into it. Her High Hairstyle now consisting of a braided bun.

Uryu and Kyanna were quick to run off to meet him while Suzune went off on her own. Realizing her kids were off to the races, their mother is quick to catchup with the boy’s parents in the distance. Despite how much has changed, she still couldn’t resist pulling them into a hug.

“Aang, Toph! How are you guys!”

“Hey Katara!”

“It’s good to see you, your royal sweetness!”

“How long have you guys been here? I hope I didn’t keep you guys waiting too long.”

“We only just got here not too long ago. Sokka and Suki have been here for a while.”

“Really, where are they?”

“Suki went to go make sure the kids were ready, and Sokka went off to chat with Sparky. They said they would meet us in the upper booth around this time.”

Katara was a little surprised that her husband and brother wasn’t here with them, but quickly shrugged it off. Whatever they were up to, she would find out soon enough.

“Well, let’s get going then!”

---

Meanwhile at the check in area…

Vana had taken Uryu and Kyanna to where the rest of their group were waiting. In the midst of tables where most of the participants sat were two people waving at them to come over.

The first was a boy from the water tribe with his brown hair tied into the common wolf-tail style of his people. He wore sleeveless fur coat with a blue half tunic underneath that hung from his right arm as his left arm was exposed, revealing a series of tribal tattoos that ran from his left peck all the way to his wrist. Seated across from him was a girl with a light complexion and light green eyes. She has black hair in a 'high hairstyle' very reminiscent of what her mother wore around her age, with a green tank top and green tights.

Upon making it to the two of them, the boy stood up and pulled in Uryu for a handshake.

“Cousiiiiin! What took you so long huh!”

“We had to take the local route. How’s it going Kova? You ready to tear it up?”

“Always Ryu! And how’s my baby cousin doing? Still glued to the hip with Vana I see…”

“Urgh… Minji can you do the thing?”

“With pleasure!”

Kova is promptly smacked on the back of his head, to the amusement of the group.

The five of them along with Kova’s sister were all childhood friends. Their parents made it a point to vacation together, and growing up as the children of Team Avatar sure had it’s perks when it came to traveling.

They were all excited at the chance to show off what they can do in the tournament after Vana found out about it from his dad.

“The competition looks stiff, have the organizers announced the bracket yet?”

“Not yet Vana. Judging by some of the talent in here, things could get…”

As if right on queue, Minji was cut off by the entrance door bursting open. Emerging from it was a group of four.

“Interesting…”

At the front of them was a boy with black shoulder length hair, with the crown of his head tied into a topknot. He wore the Fire Nation royal armor draped in red and maroon with gold trim. Towards the right was a boy with pale skin and chin length black hair that was parted in the middle. Black was the common motif of his duster coat and sleeved tunic, as well as his gloves, pants and boots. Towards the left was none other than Uryu and Kyanna’s sister, Suzune.

But the one who had caught the attention of Uryu in particular was the girl towards the back. Her brown hair was tied in a high ponytail. She was the same complexion as Vana, but her attire couldn’t be more different… she wore a light pink kunoichi dress with a white tank top and hot pink athletic shorts underneath. And what stood out most was the silver Oni mask covering the lower half of her face that rested underneath a sizeable glare.

It was safe to say that these four meant business

…To be continue

Chapter Text

As the group of four made their way into the sign- in room, the boy at the front locked eyes with Uryu. He strode up to him with his group in tow.

“Well if it isn’t my dear cousin, Prince Uryu, and his merry band of oafs. It’s unfortunate you and Kya still surround yourselves with those that are beneath you.”

Uryu stood up and was about to respond, but Kova held him back before walking straight up to the boy.

The two of them held their gazes for a minute, sizing each other up as their mutual animosity froze the room. All of the sudden everybody’s eyes were all on these two.

“Keep it moving, Sun Zu. You don’t want these problems.”

“I’ll move where I please, Kova. Is this the pleasantries I can expect from the southern water tribe, or did your tribal chief fail to properly educate you?”

“Oh if we're talkin about education, I can ‘teach’ you right now! But a wise man once told me that if you’re good at something, don’t do it for free.”

Just as their egos started to ramp up, a girl in the traditional Kyoshi warrior attire walked in between them.

“Save it for matches, Kova. I’m sure you and Prince Sun Zu can wrestle again like the old days soon enough!”

Seeing that his sister was clearly trying to mediate, Kova decided to get one last quip in before settling down.

“I’ll see you on the field, “spare”!”

“If you can make it to face me, savage! Just know that me and my team will show no mercy. Such is the way of the Agni Kais!”

They held their glares a little longer until a tournament rep entered the room.

“Take your seats, everyone! We will now be announcing the match ups for the opening round.”

And with that, Sun Zu smirked, then left to the other side of the room with his group. The girl with the mask let a stare linger towards Vana and Minji before falling in line with her group.

“We’ll be commencing the first match in one hour, so for the first participants, be ready to compete. As we distribute the sheets with the match schedule, please notify any official on any changes to the forms you submitted. With that being said, these are the official matches for the opening round of this tournament.”

The official opened the scroll and began reading out the tournament bracket:

Opening Round Side A

Tengoku Uryu vs. Ziyou

Kova of Wolf Cove vs Rui

Sei’Naka Han vs Sakari of Wolf Cove

Aoi Sun Zu vs Kenji

Opening Round Side B

Karma vs Yasuko

Tengoku Suzune vs Tengoku Kyanna

Beifong Min vs Sedna

Beifong Nirvana vs Cobra

The official then reiterated the official ruleset for the tournament:

Each participant is required to wear the designated chest-plate used for scoring. The material must contain a 100% metal purity (copper and/or aluminum) on the outer layer, and a rubberized inner cushion layer. This chest plate can be placed over or underneath a participant’s attire at their discretion.

Matches are decided by 3 successful strikes to this chest plate, knocking out the opponent, or if an opponent yields.

Bending or weapon attacks towards the head, face and neck area are prohibited, only physical attacks are allowed in this area.

Participants are allowed the use of two weapons regardless of their bender status.

The following techniques are restricted or banned:

Lightning Generation: Direct Attacks can’t exceed 50 volts, and will be monitored by the officials for grounds of immediate disqualification.

Liquid Earth attacks are limited to non-lava techniques only.

Despite the advancements in chi control negating the effectiveness of this technique, Blood-bending is banned

---

Once all the participants knew who they were facing and the officials wrapped up their instructions, the room was lit up with chatter.

“I can’t believe I’m facing Suzune, this is so unfair!”

“Don’t worry Kyanna, you can take her, right Ryu!”

Vana looked Uryu to back up, but the latter didn’t want to lie to the group.

“I don’t know, Suzune is tough even for me…. Owww! What was that for Sakari!”

The aforementioned Kyoshi warrior gave Uryu a stern look.

“Take the hint will you!” Minji snapped.

While Sakari and Minji gave Kyanna some tips, Vana pulled Uryu and Kova to the side.

“Hey, who were those other two with Sun Zu and Suzune?”

“The guy in the black is the son of my dad’s friend. I’ve seen him with my dad a few times. Not sure who that girl was though…”

“Yea… this going to seem weird but I feel like I’ve seen her before.”

“It doesn’t matter who they are you guys.”

Uryu and Vana could see that Kova had that look in his eyes. He was ready for a scrap.

“We’ll smash them all the same!”

“You’re right, Kova!”

“Yeah! I’m up first so I’m gonna go warm up. Wish me luck!”

Uryu waived his friends off and made his way for the exit. He hoped to see his dad before his match, so he ran off for the door. Just as he got through crowded room, Uryu bumped into someone… a certain someone who was the subject of his previous conversation.

“Watch it will ya…” she let slip from her mask.

“My bad…”

---

It was time!

Uryu made his way down the hallway to the field alone. Even before he could enter the main stage, the thunder of the crowd was deafening. An official stood at the door to let him in, instructing him to wait until his name was called.

This tournament was the culmination of everything he and his friends were working for. Uryu was entirely read for the moment.

“Our first participant, hailing from the fire nation capital city of Caldera, Please Welcome Prince Uryu!”

Being given the signal to enter after his name was announced, Uryu entered the main arena area. He was greeted by a sea of applause and cheers from the crowd.

The field itself was rectangular and on a platform, with two large pools of water running down their respective sidelines. The ground on the field was nothing but solid earth, with white lines to indicate the center as well as the borders of the field. At each corner of the spectator stands was a long metal pole with an antenna like structure on top.

Uryu took to his side of the field wanted to spot his friends and family before focusing up, but the announcer had begun calling for the next fighter.

“And his opponent, hailing from Gaipan Village of the Yu Dao Republic, please welcome Ziyou!”

Making his way to the field was a boy of Olive brown complexion, with short black hair. He wore a hodge-podge of steel armor with various shades of bronze, with a sleeveless grey fur tunic and a long sleeve black top underneath. The similar vibe of his pants and boots made it clear that he was self-trained… tenacious even.

The officials instructed the two of them to bow before taking their marks about ten paces away from the center of the field.

With the crowd roaring and both fighters ready to go, the first match tournament had been set.

 “Begin!”

Wasting no time after the announcer’s signal, Ziyou launches 3 successive cone projectiles towards Uryu. The forms for these attacks were three upward hooks from a wide stance. Uryu responds with three strikes of his own: Three straight jabs releasing corresponding fireballs. The clash of fire and earth projectiles negated each other.

Ziyou wants to set the tone. He knows that he’s at an elemental disadvantage against Uryu’s flames so Ziyou wants to get him winded. Ziyou jumps forward and stomps the ground with both feet, releasing a large column of earth headed straight for Uryu. He anticipated the fire prince would dodge and aimed to catch him with a follow up boulder hook.

What Ziyou didn’t see coming was Uryu propelling himself upward. Uryu was then able to break the follow up boulder with a massive breath of flame.

Ziyou raised his arms to shoulder length, forming a wall of earth. He then sent a flurry of hooks that sent pieces of the wall hurling towards Uryu. But Uryu responds with a wall of his own! Using the residual flames on the field from his previous attacks, he quickly drew up a flame barrier with the Dragon Dance’s first stance. With an open palm punch of the right arm, Uryu sent the flame wall straight towards Ziyou.

Ziyou tries to throw up another wall to block the attack, but then Uryu did something he hadn’t done since the match started; he went on the offensive. Uryu had spent the initial opening moments sizing up Ziyou’s offensive capabilities and found the gaps in the latter’s timings and attention to his surroundings.

By the time Ziyou realized the critical oversight he made, it was too late. The flame on the field became the perfect cover for Uryu to advance without leaving himself open to earth projectile spam. Uryu closed the distance and effortlessly leaped over the wall Ziyou made. As he made eye contact with an exposed Ziyou, Uryu launched a curved fireball via an overhead spin kick. The blast made full contact on Ziyou’s chest plate, sending him barreling towards the other end of the field.

The official rose their right arm up, signaling that Uryu has successful blow on his opponent.

Clearly fatigued, Ziyou tried to get back up and continue. In a fit of frustration, Ziyou punched the ground and unleashed a shockwave that levels the field. As the wave of earth came towards Uryu, he summons all the flame in the area into an orb. He takes one deep breath and pushes his palms towards together towards the sphere, releasing a massive blast that penetrated right through the earthwave.

The blast heading towards him gave Ziyou no choice but to dodge, but the concussive force knocks him off balance as he landed. As he struggled to get up once more, Ziyou opens his eyes and see’s Uryu standing over him, ready to strike.

“Yield!”

“Never!”

Seeing that his opponent wouldn’t go down without a fight, Uryu makes short work of him with two fire jabs to the chest.

“Winner: Uryu!”

As the announcement rang through the arena, the crowd erupted in applause! An official came and raised his hand as Uryu waived to the crowd. He found his dad up in the skybox, the proud look in his father’s expression was barely contained by his regal stance.

To be continued…

Uryu Tengoku (天国 雨竜, Rough Translation: "Heavenly Rain Dragon")

Age: 14

Firebender. Shichidan/Grade 7 level (professional)

Training: Trained in the ancient and prestigious Sun Warrior art, “The Dancing Dragon”, whose known users include his father, Firelord Zuko, and General Iroh, “The Dragon of the West”.

Freestyle Firebending: A mixture of the sun warrior style, which emphasizes large pillars/walls of flame with a high area of effect, with various unorthodox firebending forms.

Lightning abilities: Lightning redirection.

Buffs: earth

Nerfs: air

Visual design reference:

• Near identical to what a scarless zuko at age 13 looked like, down to the topknot ponytail, just with a complexion closer to katara’s and a blue left eye.
• The black leather tunic on top of his robes are meant to look like the one worn by Anakin Skywalker
• Robes underneath the tunic are basically season 3 zuko’s attire.
• Fantasy VA: Steven Yeun (Invincible)

Chapter Text

Earlier…

The trio of Katara, Aang and Toph had finally made it to their private box in the arena. Upon opening the door to their booth and making it past their security personnel, they were bombarded by the rest of the gang.

“Hey! About time you three got here!”

Sokka went ahead and hugged Katara. It had been about a month since the last time she got to go home and visit the new chief of the Southern Water Tribe. Between Katara splitting her time with the fire nation and Sokka splitting his with Kyoshi, and both of their families flurishing, the two siblings made it a point to make the most of their visits.

As they separated, Katara took in Sokka's appearance. The Badger Claw necklace combined with the tribal fur coat really did sell his transition from a silly yet bright boy to a political leader ready for the global stage.

Zuko was quick to catch up with his longtime friend, Aang, and his wife Toph .

“Glad you guys could make it Aang! How have you two been?”

“Pretty good. We almost would have been here later, talks with the Prime Minister in Tempesta got a little tense…”

“I still think you were letting them off too easy twinks, but I’m glad to be back on the ground. This place is really well made; the acoustics of the building allows me to see everything that’s going on!”

While Sokka pulled Aang and Toph for a warm welcome, Zuko wasted no time greeting his wife with a warm embrace. She enjoyed their brief peck of the lips and took in the familiar spice like scent of his royal regalia as they hugged. Katara placed a palm on his now faded scar. She definitely enjoyed weaving her hands through the flowing dark hair surrounding Zuko's face.

“Glad you’re finally here… did the kids manage well on the way here?”

“About as well as usual. Speaking of kids, where’s Asuka?”

“Suki took him to the food stall court to get some snacks. A room filled with catering and yet he can’t go without anything resembling jerky!”

“His uncle really has rubbed off on him.”

“Hey!”

Sokka feigned an offended look at Katara a s they entered deeper into the room. As Sokka showed the around the viewing area, one of the Fire Nation royal guards had notified Zuko that his ‘VIP guests’ had arrived.

He went to the door to let them in personally. Entering inside the room was Zuko’s right hand man, Prime Minister Jee II. But he was not alone… standing beside him was his wife.

“How are you, Lord Zuzu! I hope we haven’t missed the opening festivities!”

---

While the medical crew were escorting Uryu’s downed opponent of the field, Prince Sun Zu had returned to his private locker room after observing the match. Thanks to some strings he pulled, Sun Zu and his group were able to secure one of the four locker rooms for their private use.

The Prince certainly didn’t want to shack up with the common born if he could help it.

The main area was a square with lockers on the walls as well as rows in the middle, with accompanying benches. The back wall of the locker room had a door that led to several shower stalls separated by gender, accompanied by a sauna as well as hottub.

Upon entering, Sun Zu spotted his group in the center row. Crown Princess Suzune sat on a bench while reading a book. She figured that she could get a couple of chapters of “The Prince and the Moonshadow” in before she had to warm up, which would be doable if someone didn’t insist on interrupting her. Speaking of; sitting next to her was Han. He was polishing his Katana with a whetstone he kept he kept in his duster coat. Leaning against the lockers with her arms crossed was Karma. A stern look was planted on the otherwise doll like beauty.

“Well, your brother is adequate in representing his nation so far.”

“I tried to save you a trip to the nose bleeds, Sun Zu.”

“In any case, his meager prospects will not be enough for me.”

“The kid will be lucky if he even gets to ya, Sunny. He’s gonna have to deal with me in the next round most likely.”

Sun Zu gave a mild frown

“Already overlooking your first opponent I see.”

“Don’t worry, I wont rough her up too much!”

Seeing that Han was pushing a button that he shouldn’t, Suzune jabbed in elbow into his ribs before interjecting.

“A least you guys got a good warm up match, I practically have a cake walk since I have to face Kya.”

“Harsh words coming from her own big sister, don’t you think?”

Han teased Suzune with a couple pokes to arm as he said this, but she brushes his hand away gingerly.

“It’s because she’s my sister that I can’t go easy on her.”

“Suzune has the right idea. We all know what’s on the line, so I expect nothing less than perfection.”

Sun Zu turned his focus to Karma, who has yet to remove her gaze from the opposing row of lockers.

“We all need to be on the same page.”

“So long as I get what I’m after, you have nothing to worry about Prince Sun Zu.”

Satisfied with the fiery look of conviction in Karma’s eyes, Sun Zu moved on with his next order of business. He grabbed a box near the entrance and opened it up.

“Your custom made uniforms have arrived. I trust that they are to your liking!”

One by one, they grabbed their respective uniforms and found a spot to change, with the boys doing so by the lockers and the girls by the bathrooms.

For Suzune, she has a black qipao mandarin gown with gold trim. It came with red leggings and black toe shoes.

For Han, he got a red long sleeve tunic with gold cuffs, with a black duster coat with red stitching, and a corresponding set of pants. The skull shaped buckle of his new belt and komodo dragon rhino skin boots completed his new kit.

For Karma, she got a black kunoichi dress with gold flame spiral designs, red stitching and a red obi belt. It came with a black tanktop, red shorts and fishnet style elbow/knee guards. She also ordered black and gold jika tabi footwear, and a copper oni mask.

Lastly, Sun Zu ordered a leather jerkin with a stand-up collar and red sleeves,  paired with a hakama skirt resting just over the knees, red pants with gold stitching, and black knee-high leather boots. 

On the back of each of their tops was the sigil of two dragon heads facing each other, one in gold and the other in red.

Meeting back in the center locker row, they examined their new threads.

“I’ll have to get used to how the sleeves roll up with with this new coat, but the dragons are sick! How did you come up with that?”

Never one to pass on a chance to gloat, Sun Zu replied to Han’s inquiry with a sly grin.

“Let’s just say I drew inspiration from my family…”

Suzune couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“Uryu is just going to ‘love’ this.”

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Stepping inside was the Kyoshi warrior who had intervened with Sun Zu earlier. The lack of Kyoshi war paint revealed a girl with a beige complexion with a scarce amount of freckles. She had a face that would catch that would catch any boys attention, with big blue-ish gray eyes and soft brown hair up to her neck that kept that attention.

“The sweetheart of the south… what brings you to my humble abode, Sakari?”

“I just came to see if I could talk you out of the constant death-matches you and my brother keep having.”

“Ha… if that’s why you’re here than you’re wasting your time. It’s too late for that…”

100 years too late… Sun Zu thought

Sakari sighed, internally noting that Sun Zu and Kova had more in common than their foolish egos would ever allow them to admit.

“We’ll talk later… I actually came to talk with her.”

Karma looked towards Sakari and gave her group a nod of acceptance.

“Give us the room real quick, this won’t be long.”

Han shrugged as he followed Suzune out of the locker room. Sun Zu was the last leave, giving Sakari a sly smirk as he shut the door.

“It’s been a while; I haven’t seen you since the Kyoshi warrior academy.”

“What do you want Sakari?”

“Straight to the point as usual huh… to be honest, I could ask you the same question. I couldn’t believe you are here; you always seemed like you were going through the emotions at the academy. But seeing you now… I can see a fire in your eyes. So I guess what I’m asking is what changed to make you want to fight here?”

---

“It is time for the next match in the junior bending battle tournament! Introducing first; from the Ministry of Tempesta and competing under Team Agni Kai, give it up for Karma!”

A subdued applause could be heard as Karma walked towards the field. It was to be expected when she was a relative unknown. Her affiliation with a team based in the fire nation brought her some cheers, but it also gave way to confusion. The mask obscuring half of her face didn’t help.

“And her opponent, from the Yu Dao Republic, make some noise for Yasuko!”

Karma’s opponent took the stage in the opposite position from her to a slightly warmer welcome, which makes sense given Yu Dao’s ties to the Fire Nation... She has a fair skin tone with black hair and green eyes. Her generic white sleeveless top and grey pants suggests Yasuko is a bit of a wildcard. However, Karma had no intention of playing with her food.

With both participants ready and the nearby official giving the okay to start, the match is ready to go.

“Begin!”

Karma quickly blitzed towards Yasuko, her limbs generating powerful air turbulence that propelled her forward. Yasuko quickly formed flame whips with each arm, sending massive lashes of flame lunging right at Karma, but the later quickly swatted the flames away with a fan she pulled from the belt strap of her kunoichi dress.

Closing the distance, Karma released a vicious air chop that Yasuko was barely able to evade with a flame thrust. She aimed to take advantage of Karma’s aggressive chop leaving herself open to a counter. Yasuko fired a pillar of flame towards Karma’s abdomen, releasing the flame through her right index and middle finger.

The speed and precision of the attack should have had Karma dead to rights… but what would happen next was something Yasuko couldn’t have seen coming. Karma quickly pounded her fists together, releasing a powerful torrent on air from her body. The shockwave instantly dissipated Yasuko’s flame bullet.

Karma gave her no time to process this phenomenon and followed it up with something even the audience couldn’t fully process; She lept forward towards Yasuko, connecting with an uppercut faster than the sound accompanying it…

For five seconds, spectators and officials alike were silent before coming to the conclusion that Karma landed some sort of knockout blow.

“Winner, Karma!”

Realizing that she was the real deal, the audience showered Karma with applause. But the girl simply looks at her downed opponent in a state of indifference, as if they were nothing but a stepping stone for her true goal…

…To be continued

Karma (कर्म)

Age: 16

Airbender. Hachidan/Grade 8 level (Master Division 1/renshi)

Training: Trained at the Kyoshi Warrior Academy

Tempest Air Style: places heavy emphasis on wind slashes, chops and overall fast movement

Air-Fans: Can be used to magnify her airbending attacks and for defense

Buffs: fire

Nerfs: water

Visual design reference:

• Her outfit is basically a loosely inspired combo of the normal and casual wear of Mai Shiranui. The tanktop and shorts cover her up a bit.

Fantasy VA: Laura Bailey (Chun-Li)

Chapter Text

“Who is that?”

The question Katara pondered out loud was what everyone in the room wanted to know. Being that the subject in question was the airbender who won her match in dominant fashion, the room turned to Aang for answers. Unfortunately, he could only shrug.

“Your guess is as good as, that girl is from a style of teachings far removed from mine…”

Suddenly, Aang’s eyes flashed as if he had a thought but then quickly ignored it.

“Suki, maybe you can tell us more if twinkles can’t. Didn’t you train a bunch of those tempest recruits before you became a boring politician?”

“If by boring politician you mean next in line for empress… sure Toph. But I didn’t train every single student that walked through the Kyoshi Academy doors. All I know is that Karma is a former classmate of my daughter.”

“Hmm… then if you don’t know her well, there is only one of us here that might have more to go given Karma’s affiliation…”

As Zuko said this, all eyes fell on the couple seated at the far right of their row, specifically on the woman who was stealing some of her nephew’s snacks while he was looking at the stage.

Upon receiving the full weight of everyone’s stares, Azula rolled her eyes at the groups hysterics.

“How dare you insinuate that I that happen to know the life story of one of my son’s associates!”

“Azula…”

Her husband cast a pleading glance towards her that she quickly laughed off

“Relax my dear Jee, I only enjoy stirring the pot when I’m not involved. Rest assured, Lord Zuzu! I’m not aware of anything about this “Karma” that none of you don’t already know…”

Azula casts a brief look at Aang before continuing:

“My son has unfortunately inherited his mother’s penchant for keeping his intentions closely guarded. All I have left to add is that one wouldn’t want to be on the bad side of ‘Karma’… I know that scorned look all too well… Now if you’ll excuse me I have to grab more of these fire flakes.”

“Hey those were mine you just finished Aunty Azula!”

“Fine, you can come with me to get some too Asuka.”

“Yay!”

As Zuko and Katara were perplexed at Azula’s antics, Aang couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

---

Inside one of the many practice gyms within the Rensha Arena, Vana and Minji were warming up together. The two of them carefully traded blows without bending to test their reflexes. Given that Vana was up against an earthbender for his match, his sister made the perfect practice spar.

“Alrighty! I think you should be good to go. Just remember to keep an eye out for any earthbending traps and you should be fine. Last thing you would want is for you to fall for something mom pulled on you all the time hehe!”

“As if, between you and Mom, I’ll be ready for whatever comes my way!”

“Just don’t get ahead of yourself okay.”

“Sure. Since it’s just us here, do you have a minute to talk about something?”

Minji made a whimsical gesture of scoping out the gym, never passing on any chance to bust her brother’s balls.

“The area is secure. Shoot!”

“Ugh… Dad has been real tense lately. I don’t think his talks with the Tempest Ministry have been going well.”

“Okay… what do you have to do with that.”

“I may have eavesdropped on the last meeting with his council….”

“Scandalous…. Keep talking!”

“Well I didn’t hear any specifics on why the talks didn’t go well, but the council of elders were pushing for me to go with him next time. The idea was something along the lines of ‘seeing a new generation of master airbenders from the traditions of old could get them to see the error of their ways. But I’m not sure I’d want to go. What if I say something dumb in front of them and embarrass dad?”

“What, are you afraid he’ll scar your face for that or something? Even if you did mess up, it will be fine for two reasons: A. It will be the councils fault since sending you there was their idea B. Those talks have been on and off for a while and I doubt you will move the needle anyway with how determined both sides are to disagree.”

“I guess…”

“Besides, at the very least you get to skip out on your academics for a week. Lucky…”

Vana giggled as Minji jabbed his shoulder.

“Welp, my match is about to start soon, I’m gonna go change.”

“Try not to break a leg out there! Us beifongs have a reputation to keep!”

---

“Good luck Vana, I know you can beat this guy!”

“Thanks Kyanna!”

After she gave him a soft pat on the shoulder, Vana smiled and made his way down the entrance to the Arena. Today would be his first public outing representing the new airbender society. And while Vana hoped to represent his culture to the best of his ability, he also was looking to make a name for himself.

“Introducing first: hailing from the Northern Air Monastry, he is the son of Avatar Aang! Give it up for Nirvana Beifong!”

Vana was showered with applause as he entered the arena. He didn’t even have try to spot his parents, as Toph and Aangs cheers of encouragement burst through the crowd.

As he took his place on the field, Vana’s opponent was called in.

“And his opponent: Fighting out of Sandlocke city of the Omashu Earth Kingdom, Make some noise for Cobra!”

Taking his place opposite from Vana to relatively smaller fanfare was a boy with dark brown skin and green eyes. He wore loose, flowing black robes robes under a tan tunic, a litham headscarf, and black pants. His hands and feet were both wrapped in clothe.

As the two of them faced each other, Vana decided to casually greet his foe after they bowed to signal that they were ready.

“Hey! Good luck.”

“Hmph…”

And with that, the official gave them the signal to begin.

With a loose fluid swing of his arms, Cobra pealed the ground of the field into sediment, launching a spray of sand to obscure Vana’s vision. He the closed his hands into a fist.

Vana countered with a sweeping motion of his air staff. The torrent of wind swept away the gusts of sand, but didn’t account for the hardened sand shrapnel concealed within, forcing Vana to dodge using his dad’s patented “Air Scooter” maneuver.

“You’re a sandbender huh…”

Vana decided not give Cobra option to build his offense. He used his airbending to boost his speed, running in circles untile he formed a massive tornado.

Cobra could no longer see Vana as he launched more sand shrapnel to no avail. When that didn’t work, he aimed to trap Vana by making a griping motion, turning the floor underneath the tornado into quicksand.

However, Cobra hadn’t realized that Vana was no longer in the tornado. Once his presence was concealed, Vana flew up the eye of the tornado. Upon reaching the top, he pulled all the wind and condensed it into a mini cyclone, creating another move he learned from his Dad: the wind launcher.

Cobra was hit by barrage of the same shrapnel he had launched into the tornado. He barely managed to throw up an earth barrier and take the brunt of it.

“Is that all you got, monk?”

And with that one attempt to taunt Vana into making a mistake, Cobra actually gave him an opening unintentionally. Vana landed behind Cobra, running towards him before stopping an unleashing a violent afterimage that tackled Cobra.

But Vana wasn’t done…

The after image of air that maintained Van’s shaped, and not only that… As Vana maintained the air clone with his right middle and thumb finger pressed together, he created another one using the same gesture on his left hand. What was once one air clone had become two, and they proceeded to both land a kick to Cobra in the abdomen at the same time, sending him violently skidding against the floor of the field.

“Winner: Nirvana!”

Vana accepted the thunderous applause with a bow to the crowd. A cheerful expression planted on his face as he was nostalgic for when he first succeeded in his training with his father

---

Several years ago…

“Remember the key to the air scooter is to rotate your ankle slightly once you jump, the use the soles of your feet to guide the ball beneath you!”

Avatar Aang had spent this morning training both his children in the classic and advanced forms while they were visiting the place of his birth, The Southern Air Temple.

“Dad, why am training too? Aren’t I an earthbender?”

Minji didn’t see the point in training with them, but Aang insisted.

“You are my daughter Min; it is just as much your duty to carry on our people’s legacy as it is Nirvana’s. You didn’t think I’d leave you out of these training trips did you? Besides, you can find ways to incorporate these forms into your own bending too!”

“Fine… can we take a break?”

“Yeah… we have been at it all morning dad.”

“Okay, be back here in one hour.”

As his children sighed and scampered off, Aang couldn’t help but smile.

“I hope I’m half as good at mentoring as you were, Gyatso.”

---

As Vana was on his way back after grabbing a quick snack, he passed by an airball field where a group of kids were playing. They had two teams, but one of them were down by one person.

“Hey you over there, you wanna play with us real quick, we could another person!”

As a boy from the field called out to him, Vana was caught off guard. He had never really interacted with kids from the tempest ministry, they always seemed rough and uptight.

“Who me? Uh sure!”

“Great, you can be on their team!”

Upon joining up with them, he quickly learned the names of the two boys on his team. The last of their team was their captain, a girl with a high braided ponytail.

“You can call me Ruma, can you handle guarding the goal?”

“You bet I can!”

…To be continued

Nirvana Beifong (北方 涅槃, Rough translation: Awakened Northerner)

Age: 15

Airbender, Shichidan/Grade 7 level (professional)

Training: Trained in the traditional air nomad style of airbending by his father, Avatar Aang

Monk Air Style: Evasive movements, with an emphasis on air pushes, barriers and overall defense

Air-Staff: Can be used to magnify his airbending attacks and for flight

Original Technique: Multiple controllable Air Clones.

• He was awarded his airbending tattoos early due to the invention of this technique

Buffs: fire

Nerfs: water

Visual design reference:

• His outfit design references that of Lui kang in mk1 but with an airbender color pallet
• His overall appearance reference’s Aang from the headband episode in season 3

Fantasy VA: Zach Aguilar (Tanjiro Kamado)

Chapter Text

V: Into the Storm

“Welp, Minji is going have to settle for some fire flakes…”

It would be an understatement to say that Kova wasn’t the biggest fan of fire nation food. Even though It is similarly comprised of meat and spices like food from the watertribes, the way it’s prepared didn’t suit his tastes. Too much emphasis on spices and flair and not enough juicy substance; a sentiment he held that summed up most fire nation types in his mind…

He did try to tell Minji that asking him to bring her something good from the stalls was a bad idea, but she insisted on him getting her something before running off. So now he was making his way to the only foodcart that looked vaguely appealing, at least until he bumped into to someone who just bought something from there…

“Woah… What’s up Kova?! What are you doing here?”

Looking down, he saw a younger boy with skin more fair than his own, with brown hair wrapped in a bun and blue eyes. He wore a thin purple anorak and trousers with white lining. It was none other than his younger cousin, Asuka

“Hey Asuka. Just picking up some snacks.”

“Cool, so am I!”

“What are you doing out here by yourself? Shouldn’t you have a group of smokebringers guarding you?”

“I had my aunty take me to get some more fireflakes after she ate most of mine.”

“Your Aunty…”

“Well look who we have here… You’ve grown quite a bit my dear Nephew!”

Kova’s eye’s narrowed at the person arriving on the scene. He wanted to correct her and add that he was an in-law, but given his past experiences with her son, he knew better than to take the bait.

“Hello Princess Azula. I was just make sure Prince Asuka was attended to before leaving.”

“A shame, I’d love to catch up but you probably are busy prepping for your matches. Hopefully my son will keep you company in my stead!”

Kova didn’t even bother giving her a reply before heading off. He didn’t even notice Asuka waving him off. Minji’s snacks are going to have to wait.

“What was that about Aunty? Is Kova okay?”

“Oh don’t worry, he’s fine.”

---

Aang stood ahead of Sokka, Suki and Toph as they welcomed the entourage entering their skybox. The three men with their own security detail composed of an assortment of benders (with fire notably absent from this medley) were visiting from their own skybox located on the opposite, eastern side of the arena.

The three men in question were none other than Commander Haru from the Earth Kingdom of Ba Sing Se, Vice Chief Nanuq of the Northern Water Tribe and Shogun Gyarlun of Tempesta. The former was someone they knew very well, while the latter two were new up incoming players on the global stage.

“Greetings Shogun Gyarlun, it is a pleasant surprise to see you so soon! I wasn’t made aware of your attendance when I last spoke with your prime minister…”

“The pleasure is mine Avatar Aang. This event happened to peak my interest at the last minute so I decided to see if it would live up to the speculations.”

Toph wasted no time catching up with Haru. He is a longtime friend and ally of the gang since the war.

“Where have you been Haru? Don’t tell me you have gotten too busy since you’re a bigshot now, Beardo!”

“I’m doing well, King Kuie’s rebuilding project has required direct supervision of the military, but thankfully I had my subordinates handle some of the load.”

Meanwhile, the Northern and Southern chieftains were mixing like water and oil…

“I see the Fire Lord and your sister couldn’t be bothered to greet us…”

“They are busy speaking with their daughters before the two of them face each other, surely you can understand right?”

“Your family’s attachment to the Fire Nation Royalty blinds you and the rest of my southern brothers and sisters. If the utter perversion of our culture within their borders that the fire nation calls a 'third tribe' didn't do so, hopefully this next farce of a match will allow you to wake up.”

“Our treaties have made it abundantly clear that Southern business is no longer any of your business. Just sit down and have a drink, that will lighten ya up a bit!”

---

In a dorm not too far from the northern arena entrance, Kyanna was getting some last minute advice from her mother, Katara.

“Remember to keep track on the amount of water in you have on hand relative to your opponent’s distance. Draw them in when you full or keep them away when your empty. This is especially vital in your case since you’re up against a firebender.”

“Well not just any firebender… But thanks mom! This was much more useful then what dad told me”

“Anytime Kya! I would have your father give you advice as well but we ended up agreeing that you each got advice only from the parent who shared your bending in the interest of fairness.”

“I’m not so sure it will be enough with Suzune… she’s older than me and she’s so good with firebending.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, you are truly talented for your age. And besides, your father struggled with benders younger than him when he was your sisters’ age.”

“Really…Like who?”

“You’re looking at one of them!”

Kyanna was truly speechless as she took in mother’s words and smug expression. Her father was one of the strongest benders on the planet, the idea of anyone giving him trouble seemed like a bad joke.

“Well, it’s almost time! I’m going to hurry back to the skybox and watch you two put on a show. Good luck Kya, may Twi and La give you strength!”

“Thanks mom. I’ll give it my all!”

Seeing that her daughter was in good spirits, Katara went out the door with absolute faith that her little waterbender was ready to fight. Regardless of whichever of her daughters won, she knew that Kya was a fighter just like she was.

As Kya got her fighting attire ready, a new wave of determination surrounded her demeanor.

“It’s just like my dad always says; there’s no way through the storm except through! If Suzu thinks she’s just going to breeze past me, she’s got another thing coming!”

---

“Introducing first; From the Fire Nation Capital of Caldera, please welcome Princess Kyanna!”

Kyanna made her way past the roaring crowd dressed in her battle gear. She wore a purple Uwagi jacket with two white straps on each shoulder, with a large white sash around her waist, and black stretch pants with a pair of lightweight purple shoes.

As she waved at the crowd, she happened to spot her parents and their friends making a ruckus as they cheered from their skybox.

“Introducing next; Also hailing from the Fire Nation Capital of Caldera and representing Team Agni Kai, she is the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation, Princess Suzune!”

Emerging from the slightly higher uproar, Kyanna’s sister Suzune emerged in a black and gold mandarin gown, with her hair undone except for two braids in front of her ears. But what was most striking to her was the look of sheer focus and will on Suzune’s face as she took her place across from Kyanna on the field. She didn’t even bother to acknowledge her family (probably anticipating the looks of admonishment from her father over representing a team based in a practice he had done away with), let alone the rest of the crowd.

“You better not hold back or you will regret it Suzu!”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing so… “

And with a final nod to each other, the announcer gave the call for the match to begin!

…And true to her word, Suzune immediately launched a ferocious assault. She enters a crane stance to perform several high kicks in rapid succession, unleashing multiple fireballs blitzing towards Kyanna.

Kyanna quickly draws water from the western sidepool and uses a swaying motion with both arms to encase herself in a big orb of water. The water orb then split into several tentacles that dispersed the fireballs.

The infamous octopus form served as more than just a funny birthday trick, she was able to swat out the fireballs but still have water whips to form a counter attack. With a forward lunge of her right arm, Kyanna sent a long whip attack towards the now approaching Suzune who had entered her range.

Suzune was forced to stop and take the attack head, entering a horse stance with her arm held parallel and creating a flame wall that evaporated the whip. She then made a pushing gesture with her right hand, sending the flame wall barreling straight towards Kyanna.

Kyanna then gathers her remaining whips and makes a double armed wave motion, meeting the flame wall with a wave of water. A torrent of fog and steam splits the field as Kyanna regains her breath.

“Winded already? it won’t be much of a match if you don’t have more than this Kya!”

Suzune emerges from the top of the cloud cover, unleashing a pillar of flame with a wave like motion from a double handed vertical chop.

Kyanna was quick to act on Suzune leaving herself stuck falling through the air. After raising up her left arm to create an ice shield to block the fire blast, Kyanna counters with open handed jabs that sent a medley of ice shards.

And for the first time in the match, Suzune was on the backfoot as she was forced to dodge the volley of ice shards with a thruster kick to her right.

Spotting the look of annoyance on Suzune’s face, Kyanna decided to throw a verbal jab of her own

“I can go all day, trust me. I didn’t come this far just to lose to you!”

Suzune couldn’t help but click her tongue as she landed back on the field. Wasting no time getting back into the mix, Suzune ran forward before making a shooting arrow stance, releasing a low wave of flame from her foot. She aimed to take Kyanna off balance, forcing her to deal with the terrain of the field.

However, the wave didn’t even make it to Kyanna… it simply fizzled out. Suzune stared wide eyed at the phenomenon, the noticed Kyanna’s posture. Kyanna held her right hand outward as if she was grabbing something.

And then Suzune noticed it….

The air throughout the entire field was filled with a damp feel to it. It was almost as if it would rain inside the arena.

“Thanks for burning up all that water, big sis!”

Everyone in the stands were marveling at Kyanna’s incredible feat! She had taken control the evaporated water in the air and forcibly made it precipitate, filling the air around Suzune with millions of rain droplets

Suzune quickly tried to move in and finish the fight quickly, but as Kyanna’s hand made a fist, Suzune’s legs were suddenly frozen to the ground.

With her immobilized, Kyanna played her trump card. She made a wave like slap motion with both her arms, releasing a torrent of instantly freezing water towards Suzune. Her sister’s fireball jabs faded. She could do nothing as the torrent froze her in place. Kyanna flung herself forward as a wave of water materialized from the air, she finally went on the offensive to end this fight.

As Kyanna felt the crowd cheer her on, she finally felt that it was her moment to shine. She could even hear her mother yelling “GO KYA” at the top of her lungs.

Both of them were two sides of the same coin. Two daughters representing a future where fire and water would be intertwined. Kya side

For too long she felt like she was stuck in her sister’s shadow. Kyanna didn’t envy the weight of responsibility that Suzune would inherit on top of the ire she received from those who saw her mother as a stain on the royal line of Agni. but Kyanna had her own burden to carry as the symbol of hope for the water nationals of the Fire Nation. And this moment would be her way to show that they can rise above their past.

…Or at least it would have been if not for the frozen sculpture Suzune was encased in exploding.

After the debris cleared, what appeared next shocked everyone except for a certain Firelord who knew what was coming… Suzune’s immediate vicinity was engulfed in what appeared to multi colored flame that persisted even within the frost prison Kya created.

Kya was too late to change directions while riding on the wave, so tried to her best to brace for impact with an ice shield.

Unfortunately, the last thing she would remember about this match was Suzune’s Bow Stance Single Punch… And the overwhelming force of the massive multi-colored twin fire blast.

…To be continued

Kyanna Tengoku (Transliteration of the Inupiak word ”Qaiyaana", which means ‘Fork of the River’, combined with her last, her full name roughly means ‘Divider of the Heavenly Paths’)

Age: 13

Waterbender, Rokudan/Grade 6 level (Profesional)

Training: Trained in Southern style waterbending by her mother, Ambassador Katara of the Southern Water Tribe

Southern Water Style: Emphasizes controlled manipulation of water via ice shards, water whips ect.

Hydro: with enough moisture, she can manipulate the moisture in the atmosphere, creating water from thin air

• releases a massive wave of freezing cold that allows her to freeze everything within close proximity almost instantly

Visual design reference:

• Her overall look is based on Yoruichi during the soul society arc
• Fantasy VA: Alice Lee (Lois Lane MAWS)

Chapter Text

VI – Waking the Demon

Several years ago…

The roof of the center atrium of the Caldera Palace had been fitted with a landing zone sometime after the end of the war. One of the many initiatives Firelord Zuko had pursued was the revival of the dragons. Having unknowingly received a clutch of dragon eggs from the Sun Warrior Tribe, he successfully hatched the first dragon within the Fire Nation borders in decades. And in just 5 years, his dragon Rexes grew big enough to be the Monarch’s personal mount.

Standing by the landing platform as Zuko was arriving was an old childhood friend. Upon spotting her from his saddle, Zuko was stuck in a stupor until Rexes powerful roar snapped him out of it.

He promptly dismounted and approached his guest as the imperial guard escorted Rexes to the dragonkeep.

“Mai!? What are you doing here?”

“It’s good to see you too Zuko. Katara told me you would be coming back here by now.”

Her dry sense of humor was nostalgic for the regent. Even though so much has changed, some things still remain the same.

“Sorry… how are you? Is everything ok?”

“I’m fine. I wanted to talk you… It’s about my son.”

“I see… walk with me”

The two of them made their way through the halls they spent much of their formative years together with Azula and Ty Lee. A literal trip down memory lanes brought back a mix of fond and not so fond memories.

“I’m worried about Han; ever since that night… he’s been determined to find out what happened to his father.”

“I’ve sent my top trackers on the case, it’s only a matter of time before we find him.”

“I know… but that’s not what I mean. A week ago, Han asked me about learning swordsmanship. I obviously knew why and told him that he’s too young. That night, he was yelling in sleep and when I went to check on him… he had glowing white sword appear in his hand!”

“What…how?”

“I don’t know! As soon as ran to check on him, it just disappeared. Whatever is going on, there’s only one other person I trust to figure out what’s going on with him before he goes running off. Please Zuko… could you train him?”

“Mai… I don’t know if I can…”

“You were Master Piandao’s greatest pupil right? After all that happened… call this one last favor for me.”

Zuko took Mai’s rare look of determination in stride. At that moment, he accepted the task she entrusted him with.

---

After four years of hard work, Han had finally been summoned to the Firelord’s throne to be formally recognized as a swordsman. Suzune had seen him off with a pat to the shoulder before he entered the curtain and was met by the multi-colored flamewall shielding the dragon throne.

As he knelt at a distance, the flamewall parted from the middle as Firelord Zuko emerged from within. Absent were his normal Regalia. He donned an intricately designed fire nation armor very reminiscent of the imperial firebender style. key modifications to the design include the symbols for honor and redemption on the shoulder pads, a cape, and a golden dragon sigil on the chestplate. 

“You have one more lesson before you are ready, and it is a simple one. But before we can begin, rise and draw your blade, Sei’Naka Han!”

Han stood up and was about to unsheathe the last memento he had received from his father, a stainless steel Katana with a black pommel.

“No… I want to see you draw your blade!”

Han was confused, it was a request that his swordmaster had asked him many times that he was never able to answer. But in this moment, he finally had an idea of what his master had actually asked of him.

Han held his hand out and a broadsword composed of spiritual energy emerged from his arm, filling the room with a near blinding white light.

Zuko swiftly pointed his right hand to the wall on his right, sparks of red lighting magnetically pulled a metal cylinder to him until it rested in his palm. As he gripped it, a red blade of pure plasma erupted from the cylinder.

“Let us begin!”

---

“We’ll be departing back to our accommodations. I look forward to a discussion with you all before the next round of matches start.”

With that said, Shogun Gyarlun left the Gang’s skybox with Haru and Nanuq. Nanuq was the last to leave, casting a cocky grin at Sokka over the events of the last match.

As soon the door closed, Zuko sighed as he got up.

“I knew allowing that team name was a bad idea…”

“You speak in hindsight my liege… no one could have predicted that your nephew would enlist an airbender into his all fire-nation team. Though allowing your daughter to join their ranks was an avoidable error on your part.”

“You’ve met my daughter right Jee? There was no talking her out of it!”

“She gets this stubbornness from you, you know.”

“ME?!?”

Before Zuko would inadvertently prove his wife right, Katara patted his shoulder.

“Go check on Kya, I’ll have a chat with Suzune later.”

“Fine. I’ll be back guys… Ohh and Jee; Let Azula know that we need to talk about your son when she get’s back.”

As the Firelord left his seat, the prime minister remarked on good fortune the group had coincidently.

“I suppose her being out on an extended snack hunt with Asuka worked out in hindsight. The last thing I’d want is for her sharp tongue to start a diplomatic incident.”

“One day we have to hear the story of how you two met. But remember, you can tell us if she’s holding you hostage!”

The group all chuckled at Toph’s joke while Jee shrugged it off.

“Love is blind I guess”

As Zuko left the skybox, he rushed past the group of Nirvana, Min and Kova entering.

Aang was the first to spot the three of them.

“Hey you three, how’s it going.”

“Hey Dad, Hey Mom, Hi everyone. We wanted to ask you guys something….”

Kova followed up Nirvana’s statement with a bold Proclamation

“We need your help starting a team!”

---

“C’mon let’s go out for a bite! You said you would treat me to a strawberry hippo-cow shake if I won the bet Suzie! Your sister ended up giving you a close match like I called.”

“Even if I had agreed to the bet, you would be treating me win or lose. Besides, Kya did well but I had it under control the whole time.”

“Right… you getting turned into an ice sculpture totally screams control.”

“Shut up Han!”

Suzune playfully jabbed Han in his ribs to silence his snide remarks to no avail. The two of them were hanging out in a recreation room not too far from their private locker-room after Suzune’s match.

“So how come I haven’t seen your mom? I would have thought she would like to see her little troublemaker cut it up on the big stage.”

“She’s gonna show up later… mom found a lead and had to look into it.”

“Ohh… Sorry.”

 “Don’t be… she’s not missing much given how these first matches have gone. They just let any random jobber sign up for these things apparently.”

Suzune had known Han since they were nine, but it was only until a couple of years that the two of them became cool. As a stereotypical daddy’s girl, she wasn’t a fan of him taking up practice time with her father, her mother’s initial reservations certainly didn’t help Suzune's view of Han…

But once she got to know him and what he had been through, things had taken a turn.

A bell rang throughout the stadium, signaling that the next match would begin soon.

“Looks like I’ll be up soon. I’ll take a raincheck on that lunch you owe me Suzie.”

Han put on his coat, but before he could turn for the door, it suddenly swung open. Stomping right in was Suzune’s younger brother, Uryu.

Uryu caught the back of Han’s duster coat bearing a certain emblem he was very familiar with, and it magnified his intense demeanor.

Han only looked at him and shrugged him off with a playful grin before heading out, leaving the two royal siblings to face off.

“Where is Sun Zu?!”

---

“Introducing first, hailing from the Hiro Province of the Fire Nation, Sei’naka Han!”

Han didn’t exactly care if he had the crowd behind him, but he was also not the type to turn down the hype of the crowd as he made the way to the field. Han riled it up as he halfheartedly amped the crowd composed mostly of fire nation citizens.

Coming to his starting position, Han displaced nothing but confidence going into this match.

“And his opponent, representing the Kyoshi Warriors, Sakari of Wolf Cove!”

“Introducing first, hailing from the Hiro Province of the Fire Nation, Sei’naka Han!”

Han didn’t exactly care if he had the crowd behind him, but he was also not the type to turn down the hype of the crowd as he made the way to the field. Han riled it up as he halfheartedly amped the crowd composed mostly of fire nation citizens.

Coming to his starting position, Han displaced nothing but confidence going into this match.

“And his opponent, representing the Kyoshi Warriors, Sakari of Wolf Cove!”

Han had been anticipating the match with the Kyoshi Warrior approaching the field. Arriving to face him across the field, not even the facepaint she wore could hide her all business expression

“You ready sweetheart?”

“I’m ready to wipe that grin off your face!”

Upon being given the signal to start, Sakari instantly rushed towards Han with her steel fans drawn. She tossed her fan at him, to which Han knocked away with his forearm. This was a setup to expose his abdomen to her chi blocking strikes, but Han instantly recovered and parried Sakari’s hands away.

Han responded with a front leg kick that Sakari was to block with arms crossed.

“You’re going to have to do better than that! Where is your motivation?”

Han taunted her while making the ‘come here’ gesture. If he wanted a brawl, he was about to get it.

Sakari unleashed a flurry of lightning fast hand chops, but that was ineffective against Han’s defense. He moved with the chaotic elegance that made the timing of his parries impeccable. His guard was truly fit for a royal.

Almost as if he had hit a certain gauge, Han went on the offensive with a well disguised uppercut, but what happened next caught Sakari off guard: His fist was wrapped in a white glow of unknown properties

Being forced to pull all the stops, Sakari caught his fist, causing the white energy to burst.

“Huh… So you’re an energybender too? Small world hehe.”

With that understanding, Han had realized that Sakari wasn’t aiming to block his chi, but to steal some of it.

“I guess Sunnyboy gave you some hints as well. Unfortunately for you, I always keep an ace up my sleeve!”

Han held out his right out and within his palm materialize a large claymore-style greatsword made of white energy. The audience had no idea what was even going on at this point. They could only stare in a hushed shock as they saw the impossible happen before them.

With a blinding speed he had yet to showcase, Han unleashes a powerful thrust while lunging forward. His energy sword brightened as he headed straight for Sakari. She was able to use her steel fan to block the attack, but the concussive force sent her flying.

And in an instant, he launched himself after and followed up with an overhead chop using the flat of his sword. It was as if he was swatting a fly.

Sakari crashed into the ground with a heavy thud, and upon seeing that she was out cold, the official stopped the match.

“Winner: Sei’naka Han!”

…To be continued

Han Sei’Naka (さん せなか, rough translation: A Back to Rely On)

Age: 16

Energybender, Shichidan/Grade 7 Level (Professional)

Training: Trained in the Piandao style of swordsmanship by Firelord Zuko. Trained in projectile weaponry by his Mother, Mai

Energybending: Can convert the chi in his body into objects of raw energy

• Blackspawn: Han’s energy takes the form of a large greatsword that releases concussive force upon impact

Buffs: n/a

Nerfs: n/a

Visual design reference:

• His overall design is a mix of the sons of sparda from Devil May Cry
• Fantasy VA: Johnny Yong Bosch (Kurosaki Ichigo)