Storyline

General/simplified timeline of the overall plot (so far). Spoilers.

(Atka flashbacks/Jin pre-Sozin's Comet)

Lost Souls

Atka discovers Jin, the sole survivor of the Eastern Air Temple genocide.

Fire and Air

Admiral Zheng begins to question his loyalty to the Fire Lord, Sozin's Comet arrives.

Waking Up

Atka tries his best to bring Jin back to heath, but the trauma has left her broken. She has become withdrawn and detached, refusing to eat or speak.

Some Wounds Can't Be Healed

Once Jin is strong enough to leave the igloo, Atka takes her into the nearest village to see a healer. Mid session, the village falls victim to a Fire Nation raid, forcing Atka to fight his way out while protecting Jin.

Preparations

Due to the close call and increasing number of raids on the South Pole, Atka decides that it is best to flee for the Earth Kingdom. He hopes that they will find safety and security behind the walls of Ba Sing Se.

Jin begins to open up to Atka, but retreats back into herself upon seeing the remains of her Sky Bison picked over by wolves.

Port Town

Atka and Jin's first stop in the Earth Kingdom. Zheng's ship is docked, Atka and Jin learn that the Fire Nation is actively hunting Air Nomads.

Journey

Most of the story would take place during their journey into the Earth Kingdom, focusing on the hardships endured while evading the Fire Nation. I'd imagine the Fire Nation's hunt for surviving airbenders involved threatening or bribing locals for information, meaning Atka and Jin would be weary of everyone they encounter. They witness an accused airbender dragged out into the street and executed by firebenders.

Winking Spider-Rat

Atka and Jin spend the night at a shady tavern.

Hospitality

Atka and Jin find themselves under the care of a sympathetic villager who has a sudden change of heart.

Village Encounter

A sleazy man outs Jin as an Airbender.

Journey cont.

More of their journey across the Earth Kingdom. Unfortunately, I'm out of ideas here.

More bonding.

Give the characters a glimmer of hope, but mix in a healthy sense of dread.

The Stranger

Jin encounters a stranger in the marketplace.

City of Walls and Secrets

Atka makes it to Ba Sing Se, but is completely and utterly ruined.

Option A) Tragic: He is so torn over Jin's fate that he eventually snaps and is taken by the Dai Li. Ironically, the brainwashing gives him peace: no more Sura, no more Jin, no more war.

Option B) Happy: He lives to be in his 100s and catches a glimpse of the Gaang in the streets.

Other

I'm not happy with the ending from Atka's perspective. It's not as powerful/emotional as I intended. I plan to work on that next.

Air Nomad Temple/genocide scenes. Although I already know how I want these scenes to play out, I've been putting off writing them. It's such a dark, disturbing moment, I feel that I don't have the capability to properly put it into writing at the moment. As of now, it's just a rough, rough, rough outline. Feels like I've butchered what scenes I have written.

I'm slowly editing this story and filling out sections. If you have any interest in this story, be sure to check back every few months to see if I've made any changes or let me know what improvements can be made.

My biggest issue is character development. I've never done it before, but I really want this story to be centered around strong character development. I'm just not sure if I could pull it off. I want Jin to start off strong and confident in the Air Temples with Tami, become broken by the genocide, and slowly rebuild to the point where she can crack jokes again. Same goes for Atka, I want Jin to be his support in overcoming the loss of his sister. I want them to form a bond over time; a father-daughter or brother-sister relationship that was hard-fought and tested. I just don't have the knowledge or the experience in writing that kind of story.

Air Nomad Tattoo

Another interesting bit of character development I'd like to include eventually: Jin's tattoos were once a source of immense pride, but now they are a curse, a target that must be hidden away.

Jin experiences a flashback to when she first received her tattoos: Tami examines her in astonishment, asking questions like "can I touch it?" and, after running her fingers across the raw skin "does it hurt?" She holds her arm out next to Jin's, picturing a tattoo of her own, and pokes fun at Jin's newly bald head. The flashback triggers a panic attack and Jin proceeds to claw at her tattoos, hoping to tear them from her flesh. Atka stops Jin by firmly grasping her arms and pulling her into a tight embrace, etc. (I have thought this out in greater detail/ more narrative style. . . I just need to write it.)

Symbolic Necklaces

Jin carries Tami's hand carved necklace as a reminder of her 'little sister.' Because Tami died in the temple raid, her necklace is charred around the edges. However, I've recently had an idea regarding the merchant selling Air Nomad items at the end of the story. Something along the lines of this:

The merchant proudly held out a mala adorned with Air Nomad symbols. "What happened to it?" (Atka or Jin) asked, noticing the necklace's blackened, charred edge.

"Got too close to the campfire." The merchant replied coldly, hurriedly slipping the necklace back into its display.

Implying that he's selling goods stolen from dead Air Nomads. So, which is better: an undamaged Tami necklace with the above merchant changes, or a charred necklace belonging to Tami keeping the Merchant as-is? I can't have two damaged Air Nomad necklaces!