Chapter Text
Prologue – Dear Avatar Korra
Three men were seated on a long mahogany table in a small, cozy cabin room surrounded by classis water tribe memorabilia spears, pelts, ceramics. There was a tense chill in the air, so cold it couldn’t even be thawed by the presence of the fireplace on the furthest wall away from the group.
‘‘Are we sure about this? Maybe we should just hold it off—make her wait another while,’’ A stern concerned voice spoke in a hushed tone.
‘‘And do what? She’s perfectly ready for the test, I’m sure she’ll pass with ease,’’ Another spoke back with haste, sure of the avatar’s abilities.
‘‘I don’t doubt that but…’’ They paused for a second, ‘‘…is she ready? She’s nothing like Aang, her personality is troublesome at best, we can’t just send her out into the world. She isn’t ready,’’ They voiced with care and hesitation. Silence filled the room, instead the crackling sound of the nearby fire interrupted the still space creating a calming environment and yet it didn’t ease the nervous souls of the three men. The shortest of the three, a man with a thick, shrubby bread exhaled, deep in thought. It wasn’t any secret that maybe their tactics of teaching the young avatar may haven’t helped their current situation. For anyone who was in the White Lotus or similar word had travelled through the grape vine of the avatar’s ‘brat’ like attitude, a consequence of isolation most likely. For anyone concerned there wasn’t any other choice, the threats were too big, and isolation seemed like the safest option. That way they could fully train the avatar under keen eye until they had created an indestructible force of pure power ready to fight off any foe—threatening enough for those who had dared to rethink their actions of chaos.
‘‘Should we ask master Katara?’’ The tallest man asked looking at his twiddling thumbs and to the eyes of the others.
‘‘We all know what she’ll say, it’s not worth it,’’
‘‘Should… should we have done things differently?’’ He asked again, this time with more hesitance as if spilling unspoken secrets, forbidden secrets. His question was only met with solemn silence, silence that answered the question more than any words could.
Fire coursed through her like the blood that flowed through her veins, it travelled at such a rate that it felt as if it was carrying her around, forcing her movements and trajectory. A dragon roared from her heart, rocketing off her ribs, sharp flames emitting from her nose.
‘‘She’s strong,’’ An elder dressed in thick, comfortable water tribe garb noted in astonishment, watching the young avatar fly through the air.
‘‘She lacks restraint,’’ The short of the three White Lotus members replied with a harsh, quick tone: a contradiction to Kataras acknowledgement.
Korra shook with power and exhilaration before her masters, feeling the thick globs of sweat travel past her face and down her neck, seeping into the deep burgundy fabric she wore—celebrating the culture and arts of the astounded fire nation. The young, victorious teen rushed her way passed her old opponent who was now groaning as his clothes were left to smoulder in result of the fire. The air was thick with smoke and dust—remanence of the fight only moments ago. Korra stood proudly in front of the pavilion where her White Lotus masters stood, joining them was Korras’ esteemed water bending master, Master Katara. The first thing the Korra noticed were the stern and downcast looks on the masters’ faces, except for Katara who had a slight mischievous grin on her face. ‘‘H-hey! Why the doom and gloom people?’’ Korra cheered with excitement; she expected a flurry of praises about her talents.
'‘We should be celebrating.’ She continued. ‘‘Three elements down, one to go,’’ She proceeded to cheer, marking the number with her fingers for exaggeration. The girl let out a pout when none of them broke. Her arms dropped to her sides in anticipation of the stern lecture she’s sure she’s about to receive, something about her form or aggression or something along those lines.
‘‘You’re getting ahead of yourself as usual Korra, we haven’t decided if you passed your fire bending test yet,’’ Her fire bending master retorted.
'‘Ever since you were a little girl you’ve excelled at the physical side of bending, but completely ignored the spiritual side. The Avatar must master both,’ The short man added on, framing Korras ignorance to anything other than ‘physical fighting’.
Personally, Korra always thought that to be a good Avatar she must be able to fight, be prepared for everything. During her studies of the elements and their mastery her master’s and stifus always commented on the importance of culture, arts, and the spirits. They would drone on about the animals and creatures that inspired bending, ancient art forms and styles that inspired modern day bending and culture. Korra, though completing her required work, whether that be analysing old, dusty books, or listening to her stifus lectures never was too fond of this side of mastery. She found these studies to be boring and a ‘waste of her time’, a comment repeated about a dozen times a day, something her masters got plain used to. Her ignorance and stubborn nature were quickly realised by the White Lotus when they took her into their custody as a young child. She was impatient and abrasive. Korra never cared for their complaints on her personality, she believed that her head-strong nature will be what continues to push her further in journey of becoming a fully realised Avatar.
‘‘I haven’t ignored it, it just doesn’t come as easy to me,’’ Korra replied in an act of innocence not ignorance, she continued on. ‘‘but that’s why I should start training with Tenzin immediately, he’s ‘Mr. Spiritual’.’’ Tenzin was due to arrive after it was confirmed that Korra had completed her fire bending mastery. He was the only air nation master in the world, the son of Aang, and therefor the only one who would be able to teach Korra. There was a truth to her words as well, though all of the elements had spiritual undertones, the water nation was one that stood out, it is the air nation that has always had the most connection to the spirits. They precited meditations and had certain traditions that celebrated the spirits. Some even entering the spirit world themselves.
The short man let out a huff that shook his large beard.
‘‘Do you believe she’s ready, Master Katara?” He spoke, turning to the old woman. She let out a smile in return. ‘‘Yes. If anyone can teach her what she needs to learn, it’s Tenzin,’’ Katara replied, offering a soft smile of acknowledgment at Korra, the girl began to grin wider at the hinted message. The man nodded, trusting the esteemed Kataras judgment. He turned to Korra.
‘‘Very well, Korra.’’ He spoke, ‘‘It’s time for you to begin your air bending training,’’ He announced, though it wasn’t a surprise to anyone. Korras bending abilities weren’t to be questioned and she seemingly rose the ranks of ‘mastery’ quicker than most others. As established before the White Lotus members were fully aware of her capabilities, promptly anticipating the passing of her final fire bending test. Now the young Avatar was to, like the seasons, follow onto the next element in the cycle. Likewise to the pattern that the Avatars were born in, they always learnt their bending in the same pattern. In Korra’s case this was, water to earth, earth to fire, and fire to air. Only then, when all elements were of final mastery would she become a fully realised Avatar, and with that there was the hope of reaching the avatar state with more ease, though it can be reached without mastery.
In Korra’s excitement to continue with the cycle, learning all of the elements, she leapt into the air, cheering. Korra felt the same fire travel through her body, tingling at her fingertips, likewise to the feeling of the ice baths Katara had taught her at a young age during her water bending training to resist. The sharp pain that shot through you like a needle of the spark of the liquor from her father’s cabinet. The same excitement flowed through her with anticipation of completing all the elements. Her eyes shot open in sudden embarrassment of her excitement; she was met with the same stern faces of the White Lotus.
‘'I mean…’’ She paused, clearing her throat, ‘‘Thank you all for believing in me,’’ She spoke in a calm and mature manner, contrasting to her behaviour just moments ago. Korra quickly bowed before deciding that was enough, quickly running off—giggling to herself.
The young water tribe girl quickly made her way towards the pens which were laid out just underneath the thick sheets of snow. Bonding her way down the stairs Korra made hast with her approach. Though due to her nature the sound of her boots thundering against the thick stone stairs made a loud tapping like sound that altered the creature previously resting in the dark. It lifted up its head towards the girl running towards her, it’s head now in reach of the light that passed through the small slits on the top of the stone, white walls. It was Korras ‘animal companion’, she’d been told that every avatar had had one. Hers was her was someone she could confide to , someone she went to for comfort and conversation. The dog like polar bear lifted her ears up, fully waking up from her deep rest to acknowledge the avatars presence.
‘‘Naga!’’ Korra called, reaching the polar bear dog hybrid. ‘‘you should’ve seen it,’’ She continued on, letting Naga nuzzle her face into Korras arms, softly rubbing at her dense and smooth fur. It was well evident that Korra took good care of the animal. ‘‘I kicked some fire bender butt’ today, and I passed!’’ The girl congratulated herself in excitement, talking to the polar bear dog as if it understood her as much as anyone else would. And if you asked Korra, she would say that Naga was the only one who truly understood her. As if on cue, the animal let out a small bark, likewise to a ‘hello’, at least the girl liked to think of it this way. It never seemed like coincidence to her. ‘‘Tenzin will be here in a few days,’’ Korra finished with joy in her tone, glad that it was finally happening, she’d waited so long. And again like a response Naga began to lick at her face, something she often did whenever Korra seemed to give important information. Again, not a coincidence, she thought to herself. Who needs friends when you have a polar bear dog.
The heat of the previous fight began to lift away, replaced by the sharp chill of the south poles air. Sure she’d lived with it, and she was used to it, doesn’t mean that she doesn’t feel the cold. Thankfully for her she had a best friend who was also a large, industrial sized heater, aka Naga. Like a big fluffy fire, she used to tell her parents when she would get caught sneaking the polar bear dog into her bed at night. It wasn’t until the animal began to grow exceptionally larger than Korra, to the point there was a noticeable dint in her mattress did the rule of ‘no animals in bed’ be established.
‘‘You wanna go for a short walk girl?” Korra spoke up again, asking the polar bear dog. The excitement had worn down significantly, and all the water tribe girl needed now was a warm soak, and probably some dumplings. The dog began to huff at the girl, like a sort of agreement, Korra took that as enough of a yes to lead the pair through the rusty, metal gate and up the stone stairs onto the snow floor.
The two made their trek towards the main building, not a short distance away.
Majority of the buildings around the compound were built above ground on stilt like supports, like Kataras healing hut. There were the watch towers, storage sheds full of equipment and space for the White Lotus sentries to sleep. The main building was all the way up at the end of the compound with it’s back towards the mountains behind. It was a large white stone building that sat atop a stone platform—looking above the whole compound.
The wooden sienna tones stood out against the blinding white of the snow, the same thing that the walls of said compound were built out of. The only thing was that unlike the snow beneath her feet behind the layers of snow there was thick cement, something Korra could not get past without alerting anyone. Of course, Korra knew this not because she was told or just assumed, no, she found out the hard way. Aka, when she first started at the compound the very young Korra had freaked out, feeling homesick, and tried to bend through the wall to get back to her parents for refuge. Korra hissed at the embarrassing memory, continuing on up the steps that led to the main building. When she reached the entrance warmth engulfed her, braziers lined the rooms and hallways, along with the main few fireplaces around the building. On her way to her chambers Korra stumbled upon her master, Katara. The woman turned and smiled at the girl like an old friend, an old lover perhaps; it was something the two never tried to dwell on.
‘‘Ah Korra, I see you’ve brought Naga in for some afternoon tea,’’ She water bending master spoke, a giggle in her voice. Naga let out a bark in response walking up to the woman, sniffing her dress in keen interest. The two were close. Katara quickly began scratching at the polar bear dogs’ fur, mainly underneath her ears, at spot that to anyone who cared knew was her favourite spot, quickly inciting tail thumps. She then looked up the young girl across from her. ‘‘I just sent out word to Tenzin that you’re ready for your air bending training, he should be here soon.’’ She explained, fully out a piece of dried fish jerky from a nearby container, feeding it to Naga who promptly took it gleefully, without hesitation. Due to her constant presence and want seemed to be a never-ending stomach several containers are dotted around the buildings stuffed with snacks and treats for the animal.
‘‘It’ll be nice having him here for a while, however long your training takes. I might even need to invite Kya over for a makeshift get together,’’ Katara then commented, a hint of remembrance in her voice, even sombre.
'‘I can’t wait to get started Master Katara,’ Korra added swiftly, ‘Do you know if Tenzins whole family are coming? I’d love to see the kids again, Jinora’s sweet,’’ She added on, commenting on Tenzins eldest, and her favourite, though she of course never wants to rank the kids. Katara let out a soft chuckle at the statement.
‘‘I don’t remember, but I think Tenzin left it in one of his letters… do you have them in your room Korra?’’ The elder replied, shifting her gaze towards the hallway the led to Korras room, hinting to the girl to retrieve her stash of letters.
On thing being the avatar has done is given her a big name. Ever since her identity came out, she’s received tones of letters. Of course, because of precautions the White Lotus always go through the mail first before giving it to her it hasn’t stopped several prominent names from sending in their letters. Korra often gets letters and card wishing her a good birthday, congratulating her on things like mastery, etc; She mainly get letters from people like Tenzin. Korra quickly ran down the hallway and into her room. She turned around looking around for where she might’ve stuffed the box, in some random draw or crevice. After searching through her dresser the water tribe girl moved to looking through the several chests she owned, it was there that her eyes landed upon a familiar looking box. It was simple, lined with small metal rickets keeping the wooden frame intact, it was something her mother sent her a long time ago. From her buffed memory Korra believed that it came with a note, something about a nearby school making it, or something along those lines. It’s funny, she’s actually gotten mail from schools and such before as well, like some kind of celebrity. Korra pulled out the box, blowing the dust off it and making her way back out of her room.
‘‘This should be it Katara,’’ The girl announced, holding the box towards the elder. Both Katara and Naga turned their heads towards Korra, Katara smiled back like always, Naga just huffed… like always. Katara took it from her hands, nodding in acknowledgement.
‘'Ah, yes. This is it, thank you Korra,’’ Katara said as she began pulling out envelopes and stray bits of paper. Several fell out that Korra bent down to begin picking up.
‘Dear Avatar Korra I hope you are having good success in completing the last of your fire bending training. Master Katara has told me in great detail about your abilities and I couldn't be prouder, I sense that you'll make a fine avatar. Master Katara has also informed me in several letters that you seem to have never air bended before, i have some suspicions on why but I believe through proper, formal training we will pass this barrier. It's a great honour be the avatars air bending master and I hope that I’ll be able to help you in any way I can. I'll be down in a few months after I sort out some pressing issues in the city with the council and I'll be able to help you begin your air bending training. I look forward to seeing you again after all this time.
Kindest Regards
Master Tenzin’
Korra read along the lines, the anticipation for Tenzins arrival grew, as well as the odd feeling of fear. It was a known fact among a small group of people on a ‘need-to-know’ basis that Korra was yet to air bend, she had never in here seventeen years of life been able to make a single puff of air. This was definitely an insecurity on Korras part, something that she hates to be bring up and always keeps to herself about. Thankfully for her though due to the way the Avatars learn the elements air bending has stayed far out of her mind for the past twelve or so years, it wasn’t until now that she felt a sort of shame, a sense of doom on the side. It was the warm, calming touch of Kataras hand on her shoulder that pulled her out of her probable spiral. The woman before her always seemed to have that effect, much like the loving smile of a mother Katara, like Naga, was someone Korra felt able to speak to freely, without the overbearing judgement like the White Lotus.
‘‘You’ll do just fine Korra, I believe in you,’’ She spoke to the anxious girl softly, rubbing her hand up and down, from Korras shoulder to her back. Korra let out a hesitant but heavy sigh before turning to Katara.
‘‘Yeah… I’ll do great,’’ She spoke quietly but with passion. Korra new that statistically she’ll be able to do it. There hasn’t even been an avatar who was unable to bend an element. She’s just at a block. Katara always mentioned something about her chi paths. Something about moving the grass, letting the water flow down the chain. It was a nice metaphor, something she didn’t fully understand thought. Katara believed her air bending chakra was blocked, but they never could guess why. The element of air was the element of freedom. Korra questioned it for a minute before allowing the embrace of Katara and Naga. Whatever it was she’ll get past it, it was just working out how.
‘‘You’re made for greatness,’’
To be Continued..... eventually.