TITLE — WEIGHT OF THE WORLD*

status: available
cartoon faceclaims: nimona (nimona) / barbara lake (trollhunters)*
live-action faceclaims: sophia lillis* / jessica chastain*
oc: kiani
fandom: avatar: the last airbender/legend of korra*
love interest: aang
first appearance: avatar: the last airbender: book of water
last appearance: legend of korra: balance*

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FOR SO LONG SHE DID NOT HAVE A NAME.

For as long as there had been people upon the Earth, they had not given her a name. They did not see the need to. For she was the Spirit of the Entire Animal Kingdom and they thought that was enough. 

Her abilities gave her a connection to every living mind, to every species in every corner of the world. And that included humans. Maybe that was why they refused to give her a name. Perhaps they were scared of what she could do. The Animal Spirit had no idea.

Ages past and the spirit often visited the world where she was connected to. She advised rulers, visited villages, spent years in the wilderness surrounded by extensions of herself. Things died but others were born. It was a beautiful balance of life and death.

But then the war began.

No longer was there a balance between life and death. The latter had taken over and many of her people had suffered. She could feel it all. All the forests of animals burning, all the people being killed by Fire Nation soldiers. So many were slaughtered that it was causing her agony. And that was when she decided to leave.

Hidden in the depths of the Spirit world, the Animal spirit tried to put as much distance between her and the mortal realm as she could. She knew she was running but she also knew the war would kill her. And there was nothing she could do. Despite being one of the most powerful spirits, she could not fight. For they may have been delivering evil, but they were still connected to her. And she could not go to war against herself.

But then, from the edges of the Spirit world, she felt a call. The signal that the Avatar had returned.

With the possibility of the war ending, she left her safe haven and returned to the mortal realm for the first time in a millennium. And there she met the new Avatar and his friends. And for the first time in her existence, she was given a name.

Kiani.

That was what they called her. And she loved it. Now she finally had people around her who saw her as more than a spirit. They saw her as a friend. 

Together with the Avatar and his friends, they must find a way to end the war destroying their home. All the while, Kiani is helping the Avatar learn the ways of the elements like she had for Avatars prior. Because she knew, better than most, what it was like to bear the weight of the world.

If you don't particularly like this summary, feel free to edit it to your liking.

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epigraph:

"When I look into the eyes of an animal
I do not see an animal.
I see a living being.
I see a friend.
I feel a soul."

- ad williams

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quotes:

"We could mash 'Animal' and 'Kingdom' together and give you a name? How about Anikin?"

"What about Kiani?"

"I quite like Kiani."

"Kiani it is then."

sokka, aang, kiani and katara

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about:

fullname: Kiani
age: unknown
family: Aang (husband) †
Bumi (son)
Kya (daughter)
Tenzin (son)
Pema (daughter-in-law)
Jinora (granddaughter)
Ikki (granddaughter)
Meelo (grandson)
Rohan (grandson)

the spirit of the animal kingdom

• Kiani is the spirit of the animal kingdom which means she's connected to every living being. It also means she can shapeshift into any living being. However, the less there are of that creature (the more endangered it is) the harder it it for her to shift into it. But it's made easier when she's closer to one of the living versions. Like how there aren't many sky bison in ATLA but Kiani finds it easier to change into one around Appa.

• She prefers a female form but she goes by she/they pronouns

• There is a jar that can contain her spirit. It's a very special jar and is the only one of its kind. But Zuko has it in the beginning but then the Red Lotus steal it from the museum.

• Kiani's powers connect her to every living creature so she can feel them all. She doesn't tend to feel individual deaths but the mass deaths caused by the war cause her pain. She can also feel it when she's close to the death occurring. Despite her power, it is not the best idea to bring her to a battlefield.

• She may technically be ancient, but she looks very young. And because she looks young, everyone has treated her as such. As a result, she doesn't feel like an adult and still has the mentality of a child. With Aang and the others, they make her feel like a person which is when she begins to allow herself to grow up. Her physical manifestation is a reflection of what she feels within.

If you would like to know any other details about Kiani, please private message me and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions.

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notes:

• Kiani is so nice. But if you mess with her or her loved ones, you're done for. She doesn't care if she feels the pain of her own attack.

• Kiani and Iroh friendship will be iconic.

• Technically, Aang and Kiani shouldn't be able to have kids. But it only works because he's technically part spirit. 

• There's no way Kiani would allow her non-air-bending children to feel separated from their Father so because of her, Bumi and Kya actually did have a great relationship with Aang. It was just, their relationships with him were different then the one he had with Tenzin. He made sure to do things with them that they could do together.

• Kya and Meelo have her way with animals and Jinora has a deep connection to the spirit world because of Kiani. The others can sense spiritual activity, but it's very faint for them unlike with Jinora. Rohan will grow up to be able to shapeshift like his grandmother.

• In act 7 it's proposed Kiani find someone to move on with. You don't have to. But I kinda think it'll be nice. I would say an OC for her potential love interest Perhaps the new water tribe representative on the council who she meets while picking up Tenzin for lunch after a meeting.

ACT ONE 
avatar the last airbender: water

• She feels a pull as the avatar returns and when she exits the spirit world, she is the one to save Aang from the giant fish monster. He can tell, straight away, that she's different and is the one to give her her name. Kiani then joins the gaang and Aang is amazed by her. She helps him with his spiritual stuff. Zuko uses the jar on her at Roku's temple. At the Northern Water tribe, they really treat Kiani well and listen to her. She also uses her power to help Aang when he merges with the ocean spirit. She helps them separate. 

ACT TWO
avatar the last airbender: earth

• Aang and Kiani are starting to get really close. He's dropped his crush on Katara and likes Kiani. Kiani really connects with the spirituality of the swamp. She really likes Toph. The owl of the library really respects Kiani. And she is very protective of Aang

ACT THREE
avatar the last airbender: fire

•  Kiani is very supportive of Aang through his rough patch. She uses her powers to ease him and try to help. When they attack the fire nation, Aang and Kiani kiss for the first time. She tries to help fight the Fire Nation but after a while, it begins to hurt her so she has to sit out. Kiani does their best to help, especially at the end. And, after the war is over, Kiani and Aang get together and she begins with rebuilding the lost animal life.

ACT FOUR
the legend of korra: air

• After losing Aang, her grief causes her to retract to the spirit world, very far in. And when she feels a pull from the avatar, she returns. She never expected to be gone for so many years, time is different in the spirit world. Kiani tries to fix her relationship with her son and gain one with her grandchildren. She sends word to her other children, but they don't believe she's back. She's very supportive of Korra but is sad as she's reminded of Aang's death. Without Korra knowing, Aang reaches out through her (handholding etc). 

ACT FIVE
the legend of korra: spirit

• With Bumi home, Kiani's happy as the family is coming back together. Kiani's daughter was staying with Katara and then joins them so Kiani's family is complete. Despite being a spirit, she is hesitant when it comes to anything to do with spirits as she's afraid of losing even more time. Kiani of course knew the first Avatar and Ravaa. Kiani goes with Jinora into the spirit world to protect her and her true form is revealed but she's captured with Jinora and is almost destroyed. When she returns to find Jinora, she re-enters the fog (she was there at some point during her time away) and it's a big thing for her. She uses her mega-spirit form to fight for good with Korra and Jinora. She's also sad the link to Aang has been lost.

ACT SIX
the legend of korra: change

• Kiani is obviously very shocked that Bumi can now airbend but she's very supportive and wants to help him through it and she's happy to see more airbenders in the world. Obviously she knows something's up in Ba Sing Se due to what happened last time. Kiani will stay with her family rather than go with Korra. Despite her abilities, she cannot win against the Red Lotus' attack as they would kill her family. They capture her in the jar. She is very happy at the end and does her best to try and help Korra.

ACT SEVEN
the legend of korra: balance

• Kiani has spent the time with her family. Perhaps she meets someone new during this time but is afraid to go after them due to her loss of Aang and fear of hurting her children. If so, this could be a big part of this act. Kiani uses her spirit powers to locate Korra and reunites with Toph. And she obviously knows something is very wrong with the spirit vines. After defeating Kuvira, Kiani lives happily with her family as they rebuild the world together. And, if you do decide to give her a love interest, she'll be happy with them as well.

• If you believe Kiani should be a part of the new series: Seven Havens, then go ahead and write it! She would certainly want to help and as a spirit, she won't die from old age.

IMPORTANT — anything not mentioned in this timeline is up to you to develop, giving you space for your own ideas. Also, if you have any questions, please private message me, I'm more than happy to answer them.

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password —what nation would you belong to? and why?