Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own any of The Legend of Korra. If I did, it would be super Makorra. :D


WARNING: Mild mentions/suggestions of abuse


Chapter 1: Ticket out


Korra's POV

The winter air seeped through my thick parka as it rushed by me, swishing my hair in the process. It was the first Sunday of June, which meant it was the day of my monthly visit to the village. I hated the isolation in the White Lotus Compound, but coming to the village was… unsettling.

You see, I have had to live a life of fear and loneliness. In Aang's time, my past life, a man by the name of Yakone had a special ability to take away people's bending. Being the Avatar, Aang was his biggest threat, so he worked with his minions known as 'Equalists' to rid the world of him. Many people's bending were taken away before they had captured Aang, which only made Aang's actions hastier. Yakone had captured Aang in a warehouse after challenging him, and Aang entered the Avatar State. His bending was taken away, and he fell unconscious. Yakone had fled the building and burned it to the ground. Everyone believed he died, making the equalists jobs easier. Soon, the whole world had forgotten about bending.

What they didn't know, was that Katara, Zuko, Toph and Sokka saved Aang that night. They took him to the South Pole, where he lived the rest of his life a nonbender. He fell into a state of depression, but with the help of his friends, he soon recovered and lived as long as he would've a bender.

That's where I come in. When I was born, my parents were both previous benders, but their bending had been taken away at such a young age they could only remember what their own parents had told them. For almost five years, I lived a happy life with my parents, creating beautiful memories with them. When it was a week before my fifth birthday, I bent water, earth and fire. First, they were shocked. The stories had been wrong. Aang didn't die in the Avatar State. Then, they were scared for me. If the equalists found out, I would've been killed or tortured, or both.

Deciding it was best if I was hidden away, they sent word to the White Lotus, some of the only remaining benders they knew of. The reply was extremely quick, telling my parents they would collect me a day after my fifth birthday. My parents agreed, and throughout that week, they slowly started saying their goodbyes.

It was the night before my birthday that tragedy struck. I was awake and giddy when I heard a spark outside my bedroom window. The room burst into flames, and on instinct alone, I managed to shield myself from most of the fire. Serious burns still licked my wrists up to almost my elbow and a section of my right forearm, which I cover up.

I don't know what came over me, but I took a framed picture of my parents and I together, and ran out the back door. I didn't run too far before I came face to face with the elders of the White Lotus. They ushered me away, all the while I was sobbing for someone to help my parents.

I later found out my parents had died that night in the fire, and I was heartbroken. I can still remember the last conversation I had with both of them as if it were merely minutes ago.

"We love you so much Korra," my mother had said. "To the moon and back and beyond," my father had added. I had just smiled at them with my trademark crooked grin. "I love you too mamma and papa," I had said sweetly. They took turns to hug and kiss me, and I hugged them back. "Goodnight," they said in unison. "See you in the morning!" I added. They didn't respond.

A rough arm pulled me put of my thoughts and I smashed into someone's side. "Watch where you are going sis!" an angry voice hissed.

I looked up to see an equalist guard with a bored expression behind his mask just centimetres in front of me. I pulled away from the grip on my side and found a pissed off Howl glaring at me. I put on my best apologetic/scared expression and apologised profusely, Howl doing the same. The equalist guard just grunted and continued on his way.

"Seriously be more careful!" Howl remarked when we were out of earshot. I simply muttered an 'okay' that he probably didn't catch and continued walking.

The walk was mostly quiet. Howl and I purchased multiple groceries and clothing with the yuan's the White Lotus had given us and slowly made our way back.

On the journey to Naga, who was hidden in the snowy hills a few kilometres away from the village, we walked past my old home. The entire place was burned to the ground, a heap of charred and blackened wood. Faded equalist tape was bound on small metal sticks around the ashes, and a wooden sign with the deteriorating words 'Equalist Investigation Scene. Do not enter', had long ago fallen to the ground on its side.

The scene sent chills up my spine. The Equalists were known to the world as police. They were the righter of wrongs, the people who would sacrifice their life for another. All of that was bull. I knew they were behind my parent's death, and probably many others. The whole 'investigation scene' was just to cover their crime.

We made it back to Naga after an extra hour of carrying the shopping bags, and we made our way back to the compound in a gallop.

I helped unpack the bags in the storage area, and hastily tried to disappear with Katara for a little before Howl informed the White Lotus of my little slip up. I didn't get too far. I had only just put Naga in the stables when one of the elders came up to me, a disapproving look on their face. I grimaced slightly, knowing what was coming.

"Korra," he said in a voice filled with loathing. I gulped and tried to smile innocently at him. Like that saved me from anything in the past I thought. "Yes?" He sighed and shook his head, his temper clearly rising. "I heard of your run in with equalists today. Causing unnecessary attention to yourself and Howl. It simply cannot go unpunished."

I gulped, knowing what was coming. Katara would've been sent on some sort of walk, leaving me defenceless.

"But-" I tried to explain myself but it was no use. He grabbed me by the hair and dragged me away. "100 lashings should do, don't you agree, Avatar Korra?" I growled at him, but inside I was shaking. I had hideous scars on my back and stomach from that cursed whip. "100 extra for not answering me!" He was super pissed and I groaned softly.

This was going to hurt.


I winced as I applied my glowing hand to the countless swollen welts on my torso. It had been about two hours since the beating, but I had only just been released from the prison cell now. They only waited so long so that once I healed myself, the scars would stay. I despised that.

I clenched my fists, dropping the water, when I thought of them. It was their fault I trusted no one but Katara and Naga. Whenever I met someone new, they went to shake my hand. I'd take a few steps back before plastering on a fake smile and waving shortly. Whenever someone went to hug me, I'd freak out and bolt. Physical contact just caused me to start shaking, and when I did, I can't calm myself down.

I sighed, shaking my head before starting the healing process again. My glowing fingertips danced over the raised lines, easing the pain ever so slightly, but the ridges stayed elevated. After an hour, I threw a shirt on painfully, every tender wound stinging.

I wandered over to my bed and sat down on the edge, staring at the framed picture of my parents and I. A few tears ran from eye and along the bridge of my nose, landing on the thin blanket. What would they think of me now? A weak girl who jumped a mile when people came within half a metre of her. Surely, they would be ashamed. I'm nothing, worthless. The only person who cared for me was Katara, and of course Naga did too.

Sighing, I shook my head and laid down. Closing my eyes, I drifted off into a sleep filled with nightmares that haunted me every night.


"Korra…"

I groaned and rolled onto my side, the thin cover wrapping around my shivering body. The voice came again, still soft and quiet as it was before. I slowly sat up, blinking my eyes back into focus. When my eyes finally shook off the blurriness, I was met with a smiling elderly face.

Katara.

I offered a small smile, which she returned. "I have a letter from my son, Tenzin. It concerns your airbending training," the elderly woman mumbled in a gentle tone. I nodded slightly, informing her I'd be ready in fifteen minutes. She nodded and closed the door quietly behind her.

Showers were not permitted at the compound. At least, not for me anyway. If I wanted to bathe I'd have to go to a particularly snowy corner and bend the freezing cold ice. I only 'showered' in emergencies, as the cold water would eventually get me sick.

Deciding today wasn't an emergency, I towelled my already dry body and threw on my water tribe clothes, and my worn parka. I brushed my teeth with a traditional toothpaste on my finger, a paste made from the powdery remains of walrus tusk. I combed my hair with my hands and threw it into my signature look; not once had I ever had such a privilege to use a comb.

Finally ready, I trudged my way through the snow outside my small hut and to the dining hall. At this time of morning, no white lotus guards would be hanging around, so I confidently opened the doors. Inside, Katara was waiting for me, a sad smile on her face. I took a seat across from her and she handed me a cup of piping hot jasmine tea and a bowl of sea prunes.

I dug into my meal, having missed out on food altogether yesterday, and listened to Katara speak.

"My son Tenzin, as you know, lives in Republic City. He is believed to be a non-bender, like everybody else. He has informed me that he will not be able to evade Amon long enough to teach you at the South Pole, so he believed it would be best for you to live with him while you train."

I tried my best to remain neutral-faced, but on the inside, I was cheering. This was my ticket out of the compound! Away from the crazy and abusive elders! I'd miss Katara, but I needed to get out of this hell hole.

"But… as you know Republic City was founded by Yakone, and it is the home of Amon and Tarrlock, his two sons. Republic City is very different to the compound. There are dangerous gangs on every street and nobody knows that bending exists!"

I crossed my fingers, hoping there would be a 'but' that followed and I'd be allowed to go. I've survived the elders for 12 years; a few gangs won't be a problem.

"However, the elders also think it would be in your best interest to train at Air Temple Island. So, you will be leaving at once." Her voice held a tinge of sadness in it that made me feel almost bad about leaving. I'd miss her, but surely we could send letters to each other every now and then.

I hugged her tightly and she hugged me back. "I'll miss you," I whispered. "I'll miss you to," was her reply. I turned to leave, but she caught my wrist. I spun around on instinct, but managed to quell the fear before it reached trembling. She stared directly into my bright blue eyes with her dulled ones. She shoved a small bag of yuan's in my hand with a small smile.

"My son's a vegetarian," she stated, "get some sort of meaty food in the City before you go to the island." I grinned, promising I would, and with one last final longing glance, I made my way out of the hall.

I rushed into my room and carefully placed my framed photo in the inside pocket of my parka. Looking around, I didn't have many possessions other than the photo, but I packed a few neutral-coloured clothes, an old brown satchel filled with all types of traditional medicines and herbs that Katara had given to me when I mastered water bending, and the bag of money Katara gave me in a small shoulder rucksack.

Finally satisfied I had everything of some sort of worth, I made my way to the stables. I saddled Naga, and strapped my bag onto her back. Eagerly, I hopped on Naga and urged her forward. We trotted out of the stalls and made our way to the front gates. They were already open, and Katara was the only one to see me off.

I waved frantically at her, which she returned, and yelled goodbyes until snow was the only thing that heard me. Finally alone, Naga galloped at full speed.

The journey, to the isolated docks that the equalists had not yet found, still took a few hours. I hopped off Naga, relieved I could finally stretch my legs, and led her inside a cargo ship headed to Republic City.

We settled in the back of the large storage space, behind a few boxes. I propped myself against her furry side and snuggled into the warmth.

Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to drift into a dreamless sleep, knowing that when I wake up, life will finally start to look up.


"No matter how things seem to change, never forget who you are."

– Ursa's last words to her son, Prince Zuko.

(Avatar: The Last Airbender)