Clash of worlds

Chapter 1: Prologue

The moment he saw her he was in love. She was fire, energy, and life; to him she was a real goddess, not just an impressive bender with a title. It didn't matter the age difference was on the plus side of five years, he was determined to win her heart. To the young avatar, General Ilah was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, even if she had been drowning at the time. Later, Kor asked Ilah out, or rather to you know, grab a bite to eat after Amon wasn't in charge of the city. Ilah had laughed and patted his head. Kor pouted but did not let it dissuade him.

Battered and now only bending one element Kor walked over to Ilah who had just been rescued from hanging off a flag. She looked tiered but was talking to her soldiers trying to organize the chaos. She looked at him when he waved. She nodded gesturing for him to approach.

"How are you doing young Avatar? I heard Amon got your bending."

Kor nodded and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I'm just trying to digest it all."

Ilah nodded. "I can only imagine. Did you have a reason for coming over here?"

"Uh yeah." Kor gulped. "You looked hungry. I was wondering if you would like to get some noodles? I passed a place on the way over here that was open."

Ilah frowned but her stomach growled. She sighed. "I am hungry, I guess it couldn't hurt are you're friends coming?"

Kor looked around. "I guess I could try to hunt them down and ask them. I think Mira was taking Sami home but I don't know."

Ilah shook her head. "No, don't bother looking for them. We'll just grab some food and be back here before anyone notices."

Kor smiled. "Great! Let's go!"

Ilah nodded and, after giving her second in command a few orders, let Kor lead her to the noodle shop. "Just so you know this is dinner not a date. " She informed him as they walked.

Kor faked a smile. "Yeah, I know. Just so you know I'm eighteen."

She gave him a side-glance.
Kor slumped. "Ok so I'll be eighteen in a month."

Ilah smirked. "That's better. Don't lie kid it's not an attractive trait especially for an Avatar."

"So you find honesty attractive? I can be honest!"

"Don't push it Avatar, let's just get food."

.o.

Kor looked up from his bowl of noodles. "So you have two brothers?"

Ilah nodded. "Yeah the youngest is sixteen and the other's about five minutes younger than me, much to his dismay."

"So you have a twin brother? Do you two look alike? I've got some cousins that are twins they look alike and one's a girl and a boy."

Ilah took a sip of her drink. "Lafayette and I look similar, but I think I met your cousins once they're the children of the Northern Water Tribe Chief right?"

Kor nodded. "Yup, that's them."

"Yeah, I don't look that much like my brother."

Kor smirked. "If he did he would one of the most beautiful men in the world."

Ilah snorted into her cup. "He would probably love that complement. I'll have to tell him later."

The two were quiet for a moment. Ilah looked down at her cup and took a deep breath. "I know you're probably still in shock but what are you going to do now without your bending?"

Kor sighed. "I don't know I guess go back home to Master Katar and hope he can heal me." He clenched his fist. "If he can't then I don't know what I'm going to do. What am I if I can't bend anymore."

Ilah put her hand on his. "You'll still be the avatar. There's more to your job than bending, I'm sure you'll figure something out."

Kor gave a weak smile. "Thanks."

Ilah patted his hand and started to stand up. "Well this has been fun but I need to get back to my men and you young avatar need to get some sleep and have a good shower."

Kor nodded and put down a few coins to pay the bill yeah. "I guess we've taken up enough space." He looked around at the almost empty restaurant. "How long have we been here?"

Ilah checked a clock. "Apparently a three hours." She cringed. "We need to get back, my men are probably planning a mutiny by now."

.o.

Kor felt like a new man practicing his bending forms bending earth, fire, water, and air. His practice left him panting as Tenza walked up in her usual refined and tired manor; she was holding her newest daughter who seemed to be very content keeping her mother up.

Kor tilted his head. "Do you need anything Master?"

Tenza shook her head. "No I was just wondering if you really wanted to spend a majority of your birthday training."

Kor was thoughtful for a moment. "Oh yeah! Today is my birthday. Hmm I'm set to meet the guys for a special dinner later." Kor snapped his fingers and grinned. "Oh yeah! I know what I'm going to do." He looked down at his sweaty clothes. "After I clean myself up!"

Tenza frowned. "What are you plotting?"

Kor rushed up the stairs to his room. "I've got to find a soldier to tell them I'm legal!"

Tenza sighed. "Oh that's not a good sign." She shook her head. "I pity the poor soul who's got to deal with him."

.o.

Ilah was enjoying her day off by sitting in her bathrobe listening to the news and drinking tea. Lafayette had already gone out for the day, leaving the apartment completely under the General's control. She didn't often get days off while docked in Republic City so she was determined to enjoy this one. Stretching out, she weighed the options of going to the park for a good run or a spa day fit for a queen. Usually, on a day like this her brother would be trying to find her a mate but mercifully he had a full day planned with his own significant other so she was truly free today.

She was almost done with her tea when someone knocked frantically on her door. Believing it was someone from the United Forces, Ilah walked over to the door grumbling about how she never got a day off. She opened the door to see Kor standing there, smiling from ear to ear.

"I'm legal!" The avatar yelled seconds before the door was slammed in his face.

Ilah leaned her head against the door. "What spirit did a piss off to never get a day off?"

Kor knocked on the door. "Uh, Ilah are you still there?"

"Yeah I'm still here."

"Um, so I meant to say something else but it just kind of slipped out. Do you want to go out with me now that I'm not a minor?"

Ilah pinched her nose. "You're not going away are you?"

"Not likely I'm really stubborn."

Ilah shook her head. "You are clearly still a child and as such I'm going to let you just sit out there. You can chill out there while I enjoy the rest of the morning my morning in peace."

"You do that. I'll be here waiting for you to say yes to a date."

Ilah turned the radio up. "Yeah you do that. Let's see how long that lasts." She muttered sitting back down and taking a bite of a pastry. She checked the hall an hour later and found him sitting on her doormat. She looked down at him. "You look like a kicked puppy." She made a gesture. "Come on in, can't have you cluttering up the hall."

Kor smiled standing up and fallowing her. Ilah handed Kor a cup of tea and sat down looking the avatar in the eye.

"Ok listen kid, clearly you're not going to get message until I tell you in plane language but we cannot be a thing. You're 18, the avatar, and immature. I'm 25, a general, the crown princess of the Fire Nation, and an adult woman. We are two different and in very different areas in our lives. Just give it up kid." Ilah watched the kid deflate a little and take a sip of his tea.

"So, There is no hope?"

Ilah sat back a little relieved. "Not from where I sit. Look you're a good kid and I owe you my life but you're still a kid. It just can't work."

Kor was thoughtful for a moment and then stood up. "Thank you for telling me honestly. I won't take up your time any longer."

Ilah stood up. "I'll see you out." At the door she kissed his forehead even though he was a few inches taller than her and she had to go up on her tiptoes. "I'm sure you'll find the right person eventually just don't rush it." She could see the young man was starting to fall apart and felt a little bad she had to be the voice of reason.

Kor nodded. "Thanks and I'm sorry for taking up your time enjoy your day."

Ilah nodded. "You too and Kor, happy birthday."

"Yeah thanks." The avatar shrugged and kept walked.

Ilah sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Look, if you ever need help with girls or something my door is always open."

Kor turned and kissed her hand. "Thanks I guess that will have to be enough. Good day general."

.o.

Ilah tried to glare at the card and flowers that had just been given to her but she couldn't. Lafayette looked over from the flowers he was arranging with all the others. "What's so funny? Who's the card from?"

Ilah smirked. "It's from Kor."

"The kid with the crush?"

"Yup."

Lafayette raised his eyebrows. "Oh what does the avatar have to say for himself?"

Ilah bit her lip. "Sorry I had to turn in to a giant light monster to fight my Aunt and knocked over your ship and broke your collarbone and leg. I saved the world so please forgive me." She turned the card around. "He even made a drawing of that light monster holding a 'I'm sorry card'."

Lafayette snorted. "Aw he's such a cute kinder gardener! Maybe for your first date he can take you to the play ground and kiss you under the slide!"

Ilah rolled her eyes. "Hey be nice, Kor actually sent me some nice flowers and a card, unlike the guy you set me up with." She pointed to a sad looking batch of flowers. "Kor has more class than Shu at the moment."

Lafayette shook his head. "Well not all guys can be perfect I'll find you someone who will treat you right and can drink!"

"Yeah, you keep working on that bro, I think I'll start looking for a cat to keep me company."

Lafayette pouted. "The future fire lord can't be a crazy cat lady."

"Why not? I doubt I'll start any wars if my biggest worry is whether Mr. Mittens and Capt. Midnight are getting along!" She laughed at her brother's expression. "I'm kidding Fey!"

Lafayette turned back to the flowers. "Girl, don't scare me like that. It's not nice. Be nice to me I keep you from falling apart."

.o.

Ilah handed Kor another batch of letters. "You know they're probably hoping for a reply."

Kor nodded weakly. "I know I just don't feel like I can. I've nothing to tell them." He glared down at his legs. "I can't walk yet! I can't do anything yet! I'm useless! They're saving the world and I'm here failing to do something toddles can do!" He looked up at Ilah angrily. "Even you're doing your part in the United Forces and I'm here! I can't even sleep at night!" The avatar started to break down and trying not to cry in front of the woman he respected and idolized.

Ilah sighed and sat down in a near by chair. "It's ok to be angry Kor, but it's been my experience that anger masks pain and as long as we're angry we can't truly heal."

"What would you know about that stuff?" He asked bitterly.

"More than you know."

"What happened?"

Ilah looked away. "I don't want to talk about it."

"That painful?"

She nodded. "Yeah, still painful, still angry. I spent quite a few months hidden away being angry; hating the world."

Kor's shoulders relaxed. "So what happened? How'd you get better?"

Ilah looked over and sighed. "Long story short, my brother came in and after letting me try to punch his face in for a few days then cry for a few more, made me get my shit together. I don't think I'm all better but I'm far more functional and can do my job."

Kor chuckled. "I wish I had a brother like that."

Ilah smirked. "Yeah, I'd offer to ship him down here but his boyfriend would protest. So I guess I'll have to do." She held up her hand in a stop position. "Punch my hand."

Kor looked confused. "What?"

"You're angry and you need a target; now punch me."

Kor gave a halfhearted punch that barely made contact with her hand.

Ilah made a face. "That's not a punch. Now punch like you mean it. You're angry show that anger and punch my hand." Kor punched again this time actually trying. Ilah smiled. "Good now do it a hundred more time and then you can cry."

.o.

Kor looked around the lavish wedding reception. He spoted the happy bride and groom cutting the cake, but he was looking for one particular guest he wasn't even sure was there anymore. He had caught a few glimpses of her but as he searched Kor worried she had gone home. After talking to Mira and patching a few things up between them, he found her sitting on some steps looking out at the city. She was dressed in red, her black hair held in place with a gold phoenix pin, and an arm in a sling. Kor sat down next to her and looked out at the pillar of light.

"It's kind of strange looking at it all." Ilah said at last. "So much destruction but that portal is beautiful."

Kor nodded. "Yeah." They were quite for a moment. "I was shot by a giant spirit gun and ended up tearing a hole in the fabric of reality." Kor leaned back.

Ilah nodded slowly. "Yeah, I heard. I spent a week in a horrifying prison camp and a guard broke my arm."

Kor nodded. "I heard that too." He sighed and leaned back. "I need a vacation."

"I think you earned a vacation. President Raiko keeps telling me I need one too. And then there's Lafayette who's always telling me to vacay."

Kor looked over at her. "So why don't we go on one? We've both earn it!"

Ilah was quite for a moment. "Sure, that sounds…needed."

"Ok! So where do you want to go?"

Ilah looked at the pillar of light. "I've never been to the spirit world though I've heard stories about it."

"We'll let's go there!" Kor grinned. "As the avatar I'm pretty well acquainted with the place. I'm probably the best guide around."

Ilah chuckled. "I guess that's true. When do you want to leave?"

Kor was thoughtful for a moment. "If you can I'd like to leave in two days."

"Why two days?"

Kor smiled broadly. "Because I want to take you out to dinner first. That is if you want to go out with me."

Ilah chuckled. "You never gave up on that did you?"

Kor shrugged. "Tried. Failed. Dinner?"

Ilah shrugged. "Sure why not? Reality's broken, everything's out the window, so really what's to loose?"

"Yes!" Kor kissed her on the cheek. "I'll pick you up at six shape!"

A/N: Thanks for reading! So this is pretty much a prologue for the real story and to catch up to what's going on in the body of the story and how this world has moved through the four seasons of Legend of Korra. As always comment only if you feel so compelled and I'll see you later. ~ C.C.