*Note- I'm not "back" per-say and I don't have any immediate plans to update any of my other fics. Honestly, I've just been really bored with a few of my classes and recently re-watched Legend of Korra...so you get a few musings. You can expect my usual slow burn angsty style, but I'm keeping this pretty simple in terms of style and plot. Thanks for sticking with me. Love you all XOXO Grace

Prologue

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them. A hundred years passed and the new Avatar was discovered. A water tribe princess named Korra. And although her waterbending skills are great, she has a lot to learn before she's ready to save anyone. But I believe Korra can change the world.

"Did you hear-the entire temple-"

"I can't believe it. Do you think what they're saying is true? Is the Avatar really dead?"

For 150 years the world had been at war. During the age of Avatar Roku, Sozin the Lord of the Fire Nation sought to spread his empire's influence across the globe. He was a man of little mercy and great cunning. Sozin envied the Avatar's power and feared his influence, so when Roku passed he vowed to stamp out the next in line. However, the Air-nomads were a smart people and they hid young Avatar Aang away from Fire Lord Sozin until he was old enough to return balance to the world.

The Great War had killed many of the greatest bending masters and so by the time Aang had reached manhood he had only mastered three of the four elements, fire was out of the question. Avatar spoke adamantly about ending the war and the importance of peace. He brought hope to those who needed him most but in the end, it was not enough to return balance to the world. Azulan, the son of Fire Lord Sozin and the newly crowned king, would out-do his father in cruelty and conquest. By imperial order, his men laid waste to every nomad temple until there were no Airbenders left. Aang, among them.

"If the Avatar is dead, then who's next?"

"The Water Tribe, but I doubt they stand a chance."

Chapter One

Asami had every reason to be nervous. No one had set foot behind the walls of the Northern Water Tribe since the death of Avatar Aang, nearly twenty-four years ago. The treaty of Lu Ten stopped the war, but there were many who were still angry and tensions were still high. The Waterbenders were a stubborn people, slow to change their ways or their hearts. Still, Asami had hope.

"Chief Tonraq will see you now," growled a wolf-faced northern soldier.

The wide double doors swung open to reveal a grand entrance hall decorated with waterfalls that flowed from ceiling to floor, columns carved like crashing waves, and a high strung disk which replicated the stages of the moon. Asami followed the soldier down the hall and stopped before the Chieftain's dais. She could feel her heart drum hard in her chest.

"You must be very brave or very foolish to enter my city." Tonraq glared down at her from his dais. His advisors, who lined the room, hissed impatiently at her presence.

"I will let you decide, your majesty." she bowed.

"Sire, this is quite unorthodox." snipped an elderly man to the right. "They send a woman to speak on their behalf? It's an insult."

Tonraq raised his hand and the man was silent.

"Chief Tonraq, as part of the treaty you were obligated to disclose the identity of the new Avatar." Asami began. "Upon hearing that your daughter, Princess Korra, is the new Avatar, Fire Lord Iroh would like to extend an invitation for the Princess to learn Firebending from the best the Fire Nation has to offer."

"No."

"Chief Tonraq, I understand your reluctance, but Fire Lord Iroh is not like his father or grandfather. He wants to bring an end to the hostilities between our nations. That's why he proposed the treaty." Asami pleaded.

"With all due respect ambassador, the Fire Lord proposed the treaty of Lu Ten because the combined forces of Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom troops were unbeatable. He could not afford to lose and more men. The treaty allowed him to retain large portions of Earth Kingdom as spoils of war without losing more men." Tonraq argued " Now you come into my city and ask for my daughter as well? I'm sorry Ms. Sato, but I can not allow that. Korra will remain here."

There was a chorus of agreement from around the room. Only one of Tonraq's advisors spoke.

"Chief, may be so bold as to interject my opinion-" said another more youthful man to Tonraq's left.

"No, but I'm sure you will anyway Varrick"

"Ms. Sato is a fine pair of legs, a fine pair indeed. I've known my fair share of gals in this town and -"

Asami cleared her throat.

"-Anyway, I can personally vouch for Ms. Sato's sincerity. Having worked very closely with her these last few months."

"I think what Verrik is trying to say is, the Fire Lord sent me here for a reason. Yes, I am a woman, but where I come from that is not a sign of disrespect. I'm not a bender, nor are my men. We are no threat to any of you." Asami reasoned. " I beg you to reconsider, sir. Princess Korra is the Avatar. It's her duty to-"

"Princess Korra's duty is to her own people and that is all." Tonraq snapped.

Frustrated, Asami clenched her jaw.

"Very well. I must ask that you allow us to stay a week so that my men may conduct repairs on our ship."

"You have three days," Tonraq growled.

"Three days?" whispered one of Asami's men as they were led from the hall. "We can't repair and refuel in three days."

"Fix the most immediate problems first. We'll make due with the rest over open water" she whispered.

"What about the Avatar, are we just going to give up? " asked another.

"Of course not. I just need time to think."