In the year 171 AG, Avatar Korra fought against a being known as the Dark Avatar. It was a fierce battle that nearly permanently ended the Avatar Cycle and the world as we know it. However, Avatar Korra was victorious, and the Dark Avatar was vanquished. Still, this left the matter of the spirit portals unresolved. Avatar Korra, the only being capable of closing them once again, chose to leave them open and the world faced the aftermath. Soon after, Avatar Korra, for unknown reasons, disappeared into a spirit portal, never to return. She left the world to sort out the issue for themselves. The world fell to chaos and confusion. She denounced her responsibilities, besmirching the name of the Avatar, and earning herself the scorn of the people.

Twelve years passed and a young girl proclaimed herself to be the next Avatar. The few who listened disbelieved her claim. When asked for proof, she provided none. Due to her insistence, she was tested by the keepers of the Avatar temple. She failed all of their tests. But this girl persisted, knowing in her heart that she would be the one to lead the world into a new era. This girl's name was Amma.

Amma was not a foolish nor naïve child. She had tried to establish herself through the traditional channels and failing that she changed her strategy. She decided that the strongest proof she could provide would be her bending, and she found herself a master to build a strong foundation in her first element. Despite starting her training much later than most other students, Amma proved to be exceptional even among prodigies. Within two years, she had far exceeded her teacher in both skill and power, and then she vanished.

She hadn't been spirited away, but had chosen to disappear and create a new identity. She immigrated into another nation and sought a second master. A capable teacher took her in and housed her. While it was true that as a bender she certainly seemed to be a beginner, he felt that she somehow appeared quite familiar with combat. But being a kind and generous sort, the man simply chose to overlook this. In time, she had become a trusted friend and one of the most capable waterbenders he had ever known.

Once she felt sufficiently prepared, she decided once more that it was time to move on. But this time she had not chosen to leave without a word. She came to the man and spoke to him personally. He had become like a father to her, and she would repay his kindness with honestly. Amma revealed that she had not been using her true name. The man was unsurprised as he had always suspected she held such a secret. But Amma wasn't finished. She showed the man her firebending, and told him of her plans to reveal to the world that she was the new Avatar.

The man was very surprised, as Amma had expected, but she couldn't understand his sadness. She knew that there were many who held grudges against certain types of benders due to incidences in the past, but didn't believe her master was that kind of man. She asked him for an explanation.

The man agreed but said it would be the last conversation they would ever have. Her master told her that he once had a family. An average but loving wife, and a beautiful daughter. Their life wasn't perfect, but they weren't very demanding people and they were happy. But then the day came when the Avatar opened the spirit portals. She believed it was the righteous thing to allow spirits into their world. But many of the spirits hated humans, even ones merely trying to live their lives in peace. A spirit that he had never even met before suddenly attacked his family. Even as a great water bender, he was helpless to stop it, and his family was taken from him. He could never understand why they had been killed so pointlessly. But even as he mourned he learned that similar incidents were occurring all over the world. Maybe the spirits had a right to share their world, but at the very least someone should have taken control. Someone should have taken responsibility. But no one ever did, because the only person that could have, abandoned them. The Avatar held power greater than anyone but she refused to acknowledge the duty that came with it. He believed that by acting as a bridge the Avatar kept peace, but simply opening the portals, allowing anyone to pass at their own discretion was just a means to escape responsibility due to her own weakness. She changed the world but didn't have the gumption to return it to balance. The man believed that the world didn't need a person with the power of a deity, but the mind of a mere mortal. It would only bring more tragedy.

Amma listened to his story all the way through. When he was finished, she didn't speak another word. She collected her things and left for the nearest harbor. Amma was hurt by his words and his feelings. She had every intention of influencing the lives of people all around the world, as she believed every Avatar should. It was true that she herself felt Avatar Korra should have acted differently than she had, but the fact was that the world was still feeling the aftermath. The world needed an Avatar more than ever. She had always thought that they understood each other, but his thinking was too cowardly. Surely power should never be wielded recklessly, but not using it at all, was simply negligent. The world needed to move forward into a new era, not merely sulk over the one it had lost.

A few months later, Amma introduced herself to some of the local leaders of her hometown, demonstrating her ability to skillfully bend both fire and water. Through clever negotiations and a firm and earnest drive to improve worldwide welfare, Amma amassed a long list of powerful friends and a legion of faithful followers within the Fire Nation. Many may have scorned the Avatar, but more were desperate for a hero. At the age of 16, Amma would officially debut herself to the world as the new Avatar. The announcement would reach every nation simultaneously thanks to movers, radio, and other advances in communication. There would undoubtedly be skeptics, but they wouldn't be able to deny their eyes, as Amma demonstrated her power for all to see.

The controversial news would surely change Amma's life forever. She would make countless enemies and she would soon have the weight of all people on her shoulders, but she was prepared for that. Amma would not run from her destiny.

In just a few more days, it would all truly begin. Amma decided it would be best that she relished these remaining days as soon she would belong to the world, and it would be cradled by her own hands.

She ordered her guards and followers to leave her to be alone for the rest of the night. She would confine herself in her quarters and maybe finish the book she hadn't had time for in months.

Finally with no one around, she took a look at her book and denied it once again as she had long forgotten her place in its pages. Instead she opened her window and mused at the moon. She had come such a long way in just a few short years.

She spoke to herself.

"This is just the beginning. I have so much more work to do."

But even with no one to hear her, a voice came to Amma in response. A voice speaking just over her shoulder.

"The fools will be ours."

Amma frowned.

"I wish you wouldn't call them that. They are my people. They deserve respect."

"They deserve nothing. Without you, they are nothing."

"They merely need my guidance."

"And soon you will rule them. You will be their idol and their master. Do not disappoint me, Amma."

"I won't. You can trust my word, Dark Avatar."