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“I see even you aren’t immune to the typical temperament of firebenders,” She greets, before Roku can get a word out. “Rushing in without a plan?”
He looks down, warm shame flushing across his face. He’d always prided himself on his inner discipline and even temper; all of that had been thrown out the window as soon as he saw Sozin’s ambitions, manifest. Something about the banner of his native nation hanging over one of the Earth Kingdom’s proudest cities struck a chord of terror within him he’d never thought possible.
He’d also never thought Sozin possible of such an act; perhaps it was a mixture of Roku not wanting to think he’d do such a thing, but Sozin had stuck to his word when Roku had shut his idea down all those years ago. Surely, part of him argues, that had to count for something, right?
“Avatar Kyoshi,” He bows his head, squeezing his eyes shut. He thinks of the woman before him — the legendary figure whose enemies never dared defy her. Maybe it’d be easier if he were more like her; not ruthless, but something else. Stronger. “My sincerest apologies. I should have asked for your counsel in advance.”
“Perhaps you should have, but what’s done is done,” She answers, plainly. He opens his eyes, looking up at her as she speaks. “What do you ask of me now, in the aftermath?”
“I…,” He starts, lightly chewing the inside of his cheek. “I’m not sure if I made the right choice.”
“As far as what?” Her face remains neutral, practically unreadable in her signature makeup, but the tone of her voice is questioning.
“Did I react too impulsively? I just threatened to kill the Fire Lord — my best friend,” He knows she’s familiar with the experience; reading about ‘Avatar’ Yun in his youth had been an insecurity to cling to; something to prove that maybe he wasn’t meant to be the Avatar. 30-odd years later, he’d begun to realize the tragedy of his story. “Could my attempt at stopping Sozin’s ambitions have stoked the fire for war after all?”
And how will Sozin retaliate — against me? Against, Agni forbid, my family? Roku had beaten him, humiliated him in his own home — even simply speaking out against the colony had Sozin calling him a traitor; Roku knew how far Sozin’s vindictive streak could be for petty things, such as games or pranks. How far is he willing to go for something of this scale?
“It is not my place to praise or condemn your actions. I can only offer you my advice and experience.” Kyoshi answers, cool and solid as ever, nearly impassive, yet with something fiery hidden underneath.
“In my life, I tended to act similar to how you did — when something or someone was out of line, I’d confront them. If that didn’t work, I’d get physical. I did what I had to, in order to maintain peace.”
In my later years, people knew not to trifle with me. I was firm, and true to my word — I understand you’ve garnered a similar reputation, albeit with more discussions than displays of force.”
She nearly smirks — before her face smooths out once more, eyes focusing on him even further, as sharp as her fans.
“Politics are a messy game. One that I have little patience for. When dealing with world leaders, one must tread carefully. It seems that Fire Lords especially need a bit of reigning in.”
She would know, he thinks. Avatar Kyoshi lived through and dealt with 5 generations of Fire Lord — as much as Roku knew the inner workings of the Fire Court, and thought he knew about Sozin, Avatar Kyoshi certainly had an advantage in regards to experience.
“I can see you’re still unsatisfied with my answer.” Her voice breaks him out of his thoughts. If only the historians and villages across the world who trembled under the weight of her legacy could see her like this — Roku had always held a high level of reverence for his predecessor, and was absolutely terrified of her at 16, she’d always been… surprisingly gentle, and very amused, in their interactions. It painted a very different picture of her than the history books tried to.
He presses his lips together, thinking of how to fully express his thoughts.
“I’m more so unsatisfied with the situation.”
“It is a difficult situation to be in,” she agrees, nodding, eyes drifting over to the side, as if seeing something he cannot. She refocuses on him, gaze resolute. “In that case, the real question you need to ask yourself is if you’re willing to follow through on your threat.”
“I must.” That is what he’s most certain of; as much as it aches, he can’t go back on his word, even if it is for Sozin. Not when the world is at stake.
He’s not sure Sozin ever realized what the power of the Avatar even entailed until that moment; Roku had never been one for excessive displays of force, as Kyoshi put it — never had a reason to inflict any upon Sozin before — but he knew the importance of his power, and how it could strike the intended message when placed properly.
“Remember: it is not Roku, but The Avatar that enforces consequences.”
With that, she fades away, into the membrane of the of in-between where all of their other past lives remain, leaving Roku with an arguably worse possibility to consider. He’s made his bed, though – no matter how uncomfortable it may be, he has to lie in it.
As the squalling cries of the newborn Air Avatar reach their ears, Roku refuses to meet Kyoshi’s eyes.
All of the past Avatars are gathered – a large spiritual presence at Air Nomad births isn’t uncommon, but with Avatar births, everyone tends to be a bit… nosier. That’s what Kyoshi had said, decades ago. A lifetime ago, he reminds himself, bitterly. He’s in the beyond, but the Avatar must continue.
She is silent – though, it’s not the stony silence he’d expected of her. He’s not sure why – he’d failed to maintain peace – he’s not even sure Agni knows what’s next.
“Without you… all of my plans are suddenly possible.”
Sozin’s words ring through his mind, jumbling until he feels he’s gone mad. Roku’s heart races with the possibilities.
Maybe he was too naive, too merciful – he thinks of conversations of decades ago, with his companions, his predecessor, and his wife, questioning whether or not he was too harsh, too unforgiving.
“What is to come?” His voice, hoarse and weary, rings out. It’s then that he truly looks at himself, seeing the glimpse of his hands, almost foggy due to him being a spirit, but his hands, the way they were only hours ago.
He’s surprised to have a form resembling anything dignified; he’d felt his own flesh melting away, ash and bone and blood becoming a commingled mess, falling and sizzling into the lava slowly suffocating him. Roku glances at the smiling infant before him, knowing he has condemned the babe to a burden even he could not handle even as a fully realized Avatar.
“War, likely.” Kyoshi murmurs, tone even – almost withdrawn. He’d known, deep in his heart, what the answer would be, but the finality of her words breaks something inside of him.
He’s doomed the world.