It didn't work.
Well, Kyoshi was able to open and close the portal on her own without any problem, but a month had passed and there were still no signs of anyone awakening airbending abilities or causing panic in the city.
Jin would have noticed. Korra or Jinora would have told him. Tenzin would have become unbearable, and… there weren't any spirit vines growing everywhere that could be used as energy weapons.
That last part was the good news.
Even so, that action from his partner allowed Jin to set aside his guilt, saying he had tried, and move on.
Now, since their return to Republic City, good things and bad things had happened.
The worst by far… was the unexpected death of Hiroshi Sato.
Yes, Asami's father had passed away while they were in the South.
Jin thought he had been attacked by an enemy or rival, that someone had decided to get rid of him somehow, and he was ready to help take revenge. But Asami, through tears—she was truly heartbroken at the loss of her last remaining family—explained that this wasn't the case.
Jin knew Hiroshi had been physically weakened ever since "the news," but he hadn't expected his legs to give out while descending the stairs of his mansion. He hit his head on one of the steps and died instantly, even before reaching the floor.
It was an accident, but an accident that forever robbed Asami of her father.
The funeral was held the day after their return, but Asami's mourning lasted much longer. In fact, Asami spent more time at Jin's home than in her own. Without her father, the mansion felt too big and lonely; everything reminded her of him, causing only pain and distress.
Jin set aside practically everything to be by Asami's side in her most vulnerable moment. Only after a month did Asami begin to recover and resume her habits—from training alternately with Korra and Kyoshi to running Future Industries.
She even decided to teach Korra how to drive!
Asami's legs still trembled every time she returned from a lesson with her—not exactly a pleasant… or safe experience.
Also, thanks to Zhu Li taking Asami's place during her depression to handle administrative work, the two of them bonded very quickly over the things they had in common. Zhu Li continued helping Asami manage the businesses that were now hers, while Asami learned from Zhu Li's experience and helped her become a little more uninhibited.
In a way, the two entered a symbiosis that benefited them both greatly.
An example?
Zhu Li had let her hair down, no longer wore glasses (except for a small pair she kept in her chest pocket for documents with tiny print), and had even started applying light makeup.
It might seem like a small change—but anyone who watched the series knows how enormous a shift that is for Zhu Li!
Unexpectedly, it was Asami who actively encouraged Zhu Li to join their relationship after exchanging information with Kyoshi.
Which meant Jin was now with Kyoshi, Asami, and Zhu Li.
Jin suspected Asami was developing another kind of interest in Zhu Li—just like she had with Korra—though Zhu Li herself didn't seem aware of it. But everyone was happy, so… did it really matter?
Zhu Li took Kyoshi's presence quite well and even asked her questions about her era. As for opening her chi pathways, Zhu Li turned out to be a rather talented firebender.
At first, Jin had thought she'd be a waterbender for obvious reasons, but in the series, Zhu Li had steel-gray eyes—an actual anomaly in the Avatar world.
So Kyoshi found herself spending time with her "sisters," teaching each one how to improve. Being an Avatar with mastery of all four elements certainly made her an excellent teacher.
Now, it should be said that despite Zhu Li's excitement about being with Jin, neither rushed anything. She didn't want to seem too eager, while he wanted to get to know her before taking things further.
He didn't want to know the character—he wanted to know the woman.
Moving on to other news: Bolin didn't become Nuktuk, which could seem like a waste of investment on Jin's part.
But he didn't think so. Zhu Li knew the potential of movies and continued with the idea—only now the lead actress was Ginger, and the ideas for their early projects came from Jin.
During their first week back, Bolin announced the dissolution of the Fire Ferrets while blowing his nose into a handkerchief. There was no other choice—he had been gone too long, and his makeshift teammates wouldn't stay, nor could he find new ones.
Jin hired him immediately—but for a job Bolin never expected!
"You're saying you're going where?!" Mako had just finished an eighteen-hour shift at the precinct and had only now heard about his little brother's new job as they ate dinner together.
"I'm going to Jasmine Island!" Bolin said excitedly, even splitting a sausage to give a piece to his favorite fire ferret. "Did you know Jin is royalty there? They have an amazing palace and I'll even get to meet Toph Beifong—she's going to be my supervisor."
Mako: ???
Do I look like I care?
"Wait, back up a second," Mako said, feeling his brother was speaking way too fast—a surprise, considering his mouth was full and he hadn't dropped a single crumb on the table. "What exactly is your job?"
Bolin swallowed before answering.
"I'll be an executive producer for the optimal maintenance of continuous subterranean fertility!"
Mako blinked twice.
"I see," he said—he didn't. "And what does your job actually involve?"
"Oh! I almost forgot." Bolin slapped his forehead, realizing he had skipped a small detail. "I didn't tell you Jin taught me lavabending, did I?" he added proudly, flexing his muscles.
"No, you didn't," Mako replied with a dry stare. "And what does that have to do with your job?"
"Ah, how did Jin put it?" Bolin scratched his hair, trying to remember. "Performing terraforming and expansion? Basically, I'll make black soil for the island's crops, help enlarge the island, stuff like that."
According to Jin, this could give him work for life if he wanted—it all depended on following Toph's instructions.
And apparently, not only was Jasmine Island near Kyoshi Island, but Jasmine Island itself had a shortage of male population…
What if he found love?
While Bolin drooled in his fantasies, Mako caught the essentials.
Jin had hired his brother to help maintain fertile fields and expand the island. It sounded like… a perfectly legitimate job?
"Do you happen to know if the island's guard is short on personnel?"
Not to sound grumpy, but Lin was pushing him to his limit constantly, and the lack of future promotion opportunities was discouraging. If it weren't for the stable pay, he would've already looked for another job.
"I don't think so," Bolin frowned. "I think the island has its own private army."
"Maybe another job?" Mako insisted.
He didn't even care if he had to do something like milking animals!
Bolin finally realized Mako's intentions, shifting uncomfortably in his seat while looking everywhere except at his older brother.
"I'll ask."
From what he'd heard, although the islanders welcomed everyone, there was still considerable bias against firebenders due to the tragic history the island had suffered in the past.
If his brother went there…
"Good," Mako said, unaware of the situation. He nodded, satisfied, and returned to eating.
Bolin, on the other hand, had almost lost his appetite.
Almost.
"I hope Jin can give me a good excuse!" Bolin thought nervously as he hurried to finish his dinner.
He didn't even notice Pabu stealing the other half of his sausage.
Although it would be great to work together like when they were in Pro-bending, Bolin believed it was a terrible idea for Mako to come. But he simply didn't know how to say it without offending him—Mako was too sensitive in certain matters.
"What if I found him a girlfriend in the city?" Bolin even began imagining backup plans. "That way Mako would want to stay…"
The firebender didn't know that by the time they went to bed, his younger brother already had at least six different contingency plans to keep him from following him to the island.