As promised here is the follow up story to my first story The End is Near. If you need a mini refresher. Amon had been defeated. Mako lost his memory. Korra and Mako eneded up together. She took him to the spirit world to meet his parents. And everyone's been living life ever since. Enjoy.
Chapter 1:
Korra's now nineteen and it's been a year since she defeated Amon. He along with Tarrlok, Asami and Hiroshi have been under careful watch in Republic City's prison. And Lin Beifong reclaimed her spot as Chief of Police. The equalist supporters have slowly but surely died down in the city. And over the amount of time Korra managed to restore everyone's bending who had it taken by Amon. With Sato imprisoned his business failed leaving Cabbage Corps to be the lead manufacturer in the city. And once again probending returns as a favorite past time of many of the city dwellers, benders and nonbenders alike. The city was back to its normal hustle and bustle.
Tenzin along with the other council members managed to restructure the government of the city. As for his family there's been some adjusting on Air Temple Island as well. Baby Rohan, who was now about a year and a half, was really starting to show off his airbending. Pema found herself constantly cleaning up after his uncontrolled blows and whirls. Meanwhile Jinora who had been perfecting many techniques, had recently received her airbending tattoos. While her younger siblings were slightly jealous they couldn't help but be proud of her spectacular achievement.
Mako and Bolin moved back into their apartment above the arena. Butakaha was glad to have them back although they had stopped probending. And although Mako still had not fully recovered from his amnesia he'd remember little snapshots of what he had forgotten here and there. Bolin joined Beifong's team of Metalbenders, and basked in the glory of his new found technique. Mako was recruited by General Iroh to join the United Forces. He's been working locally in the city, and training close to every day in preparation for combat.
Korra was still staying on Air Temple Island. The family had gotten accustom to her being there and so did she. She and Mako had fallen for each other all over again since their eventful date. She visited the brothers' everyday despite their demanding schedules. She had recently mastered airbending but was reluctant to return to the Southern Water Tribe. Republic City had grown on her so much, it was her new home.
It was nearing six o'clock, time for Korra to make her visit to the brothers. She had gotten to the arena and made her way up the stairs. To her surprise Bolin was hovered over the stove making noodles, while chattering with Pabu. Cooking on Friday night's was usually a Mako thing. They alternated. She threw down her coat on the couch and greeted Bolin. "Hey Bolin! What's up?"
"Oh, hey Korra. Pabu and I were just whipping' up some dinner."
"I see. And how's that working out for you," she said placing a hand on her hip.
'It's actually going surprisingly well! Wouldn't you say Pabu?" The small fireferret looked into the pot Bolin was stirring, inhaled the fumes, and did a flip. Korra smirked at the pet's response then grabbed a chair at their small dinner table.
Footsteps began to creep up the stairs of the apartment. Korra and Bolin both looked to the stairs to see Mako's figure appear. He was wearing his United Forces uniform. He placed the sleek red jacket on the coat rack along with his scarf in the corner, leaving him in a crisp white button down shirt and suspenders. "Hey Bo, hey Korra, sorry I'm late", he said walking over to the table where Korra was, and pecking her on the cheek. Bolin and Korra greeted him in unison. Pabu followed, scurrying up the firebender's neck and resting in a cuddled ball on his head.
Bolin placed down three bowls of steaming noodles. And a smaller bowl on the floor for Pabu. They each scarfed down the meal then sat back with full bellies. "That was delicious Bolin", Korra mumbled after her last spoonful. They all laughed.
"Thanks. It was a recipe Narook gave me", he said whispering behind his hand.
"Well it was pretty tasty", Mako chimed in. "You're turning out to be a great cook Bolin".
"I guess I have to be, since my brother always seems to conveniently have to stay late when he's supposed to cook.''
Mako stood up to clear all the dishes. He tussled Bolin's hair a bit, "Sorry little bro. But I didn't even tell you guys why I was late today."
"Oh what could it have been this time, had to test out your fancy new training skills on some thugs." Bolin said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Haha, no." he said mockingly. "Anyways, after training today General Iroh pulled me aside. He told me the forces have been getting information that there's some people in the firenation, who they believe have or had some ties with Amon and are trying to rebuild the Equalist revolution within the four nations."
Korra perched up, "That's impossible though. Amon is in jail. How in the world could they-"
"I dunno. But he wants to send out a few fleets to monitor the situation."
"Well that's a good idea. Calm it down before it gets too out of control," she said excited and somewhat relieved at the decision.
"Yea. So he wants to promote me to Lieutenant… and he wants me to go with the fleets to the firenation"
"Whoa. That's great Mako. Ahem, excuse me, Lieutenant Mako", Bolin said playfully punching his brother. "Congrats"
Mako looked back to Korra searching for her response. Korra was silent for a moment. She didn't know what to think. "Oh that's great Mako," she lied. She clearly wasn't as excited anymore. "How long are you gonna be gone?"
"I'm really not too sure. It could be a couple weeks to a few months depending on how long it takes to settle all of this"
"Oh. When are you supposed to leave?"
"The day of the celebration."
"Wow. That's in a couple days"
"Yea, well hopefully it won't be that long and I'll be back soon"
"Yea hopefully," she sighed. "It's getting late, I'd better get going." She stood, grabbed her coat, and ran down the stairs into the arena.
"Goodnight Korra", Bolin shouted as he made his way to his bed, he was already half asleep.
Mako recognized that she was upset and hustled down the stairs behind her. She just made it out of the door when she heard him call her name. "Korra, c'mon wait up." She paused before turning around to him.
He reached for her arm, drawing her closer. "Ok, look I know this isn't the most exciting news for you but-"
She stopped him." I am happy for you, really, and I'm so proud of you. You've been training so hard and you deserve this." Korra paused "It's just...I guess I'm having a hard time trying to think of you being away for omashu knows how long."
"And you think I'm not. Korra, when Iroh told me he didn't know how long we'd be out there, you were the first thing I thought about. I mean the more I'm around you the more I remember, and the more fun I have. We've been together for over a year and haven't really been apart for that long. And even though you tend to get on my nerves a lot, being away from you half the day is long enough."
Korra smiled at his last statement pushing him. He always knew what to say to get her to smile a bit.
Mako felt his teeth start to chatter a bit from the night's cold and began to rub his shoulders.
"So do I have your permission Avatar Korra" he said through his chattering teeth.
"I guess. You gotta do what you gotta do" she answers rolling her eyes. She really just didnt want totalk about it chattered a bit more. " Jeez Mako you look cold, where's your jacket?"
"I didn't have time to grab it considering I was trying to catch my runaway girlfriend.''
"Sorry", she laughed. "Let's get you back upstairs." She walked with him back up to the apartment. Bolin was fast asleep as they could hear from his loud snoring. Mako managed to warm up rather quickly with a fire breathing technique meant to keep the body warm. Korra plopped down on the couch next to him, her back propped against his shoulder. He kissed her on the forehead and soon dozed off. She on the other hand sat next to him wide awake, fearing his approaching day of departure.
Korra left early that morning before the boys had woken. She ventured back to the Air Temple. As she crept away from the main building and to the girls' dormitory she noticed Tenzin and Pema walking toward her. "Korra. What did I say about staying out so late", Tenzin scolded from the distance.
So close, she whispered to herself. "Good morning Tenzin. I'm fine thanks for asking. How are you this lovely morning?", she said.
Tenzin closed his eyes trying to calm himself. Pema chuckled at the girl's sarcasm, and spoke up while he did this, "Morning Korra. And what kept you out so late this time?"
"I was at Mako and Bolin's. Mako's been promoted to Lieutenant and he supposed to go to the firenation in a couple days," she said dropping her head.
"That's great. How long will he be gone though?" the older woman said. She seemed unphased by the fact that Korra was out so late.
"He doesn't know. He said it could be weeks or even months."
"Oh I'm sorry sweetie," now understanding why the girl seemed somewhat upset.
Tenzin stroked his chin stuck on the politics behind the situation. "Why exactly are they going to the firenation. Did he say?"
"Apparently there's some people out there trying to rebuild the equalist revolution."
Tenzin seemed to be waiting for her to elaborate. When she didn't he spoke up again. " I wonder why Iroh did not mention this to the council." Korra shrugged her shoulders and Tenzin walked off to contact Iroh. Pema reminded Korra breakfast would soon be ready then followed behind her husband.
Iroh stopped by shortly after breakfast thanks to Tenzin's request. He had a brief private meeting with the airbending master, in which he assured Tenzin that the forces could handle this. If these equalist conspirators posed a threat to the city he would be sure to alert Tenzin and the council.
Korra noticed the young general as he walked to the dock. She ran up to him, stopping him before he boarded the boat. "Hey, General Iroh"
He immediately recognized the voice coming from behind him. "Avatar Korra, how are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks. Look, I know about the equalist situation in the firenation and-"
He stopped her midsentence. "Korra, if this is about Mako I am truly sorry I cannot give you a definitive answer as to when he'll be back but-."
"Actually, I was wondering if I could join you. You know me being the avatar and all, I feel like maybe I could help."
The man was not expecting this offer. He took a moment to mull it over. "I am aware that you are just as good if not better than many of my men and I wouldn't think twice about having your help. But, we aren't even sure how much a threat this situation poses. It could be something very minute and trivial. I think Republic City needs it's avatar."
"But as the avatar it's my duty to make sure the world is in proper balance, not just the city."
"You do make an excellent point. Have you mentioned this to Tenzin?"
She paused, "Yea", she said shifting her eyes. Iroh cocked an eyebrow at her response. "Okay, maybe I haven't, but I'm sure he wouldn't deny that my priority is to keep the world in balance."
"Well once Tenzin is on board you're an honorary United Forces Soldier on this mission. I must be going now, but I look forward to you accompanying us Korra."
She jumped in midair punching a fist to the sky, and swirling back down with a small wind tornado under her. Regaining her composure she gave a polite thank you followed by a respectful bow.
She couldn't hold the news to herself any longer. Swimming across the bay and into the city she knew it was approximately noon, Bolin's lunchtime. She waltzed into the station, her eyes searching for her friend. When they locked in on him she made her way to him. She held a bag of cookies behind her back, then extended them to him. His eyes widened with excitement as he grappled for the bag and began to stuff his face. " I couldn't wait anymore I had some good news and needed someone to celebrate it with."
"Well thanks for choosing me, you know I love celebration foods," he said through his mouthful of cookie. "What are we celebrating anyways?"
After swallowing her own cookie she started to explain. "I talked to General Iroh today and I'm going to go with him and Mako to the firenation!"
Bolin stopped eating his cookie and hit Korra with a dumbfounded look of confusion "How exactly is that good news? That means I'm gonna be all by myself!"
"Well I guess it isn't really so much good for you" she said rethinking coming to tell him.
He laughed it off and continued eating the treats. " Mako will probably be excited. But how did you manage to convince Iroh to let you go, especially since it's the day of the celebration?"
" I kind of have to get permission from Tenzin first but if I wait until just the right moment when he's in a good mood i'm sure he'll come around."
A whistle blew, signaling the end of the lunch break. Bolin stood gathering his things. "Well thanks for the celebration cookies Korra. I gotta get going. But see you later tonight."
"Sure thing. I should probably go see Tenzin."
"Good luck" Bolin heard a shrill commanding voice call his name. It was Lin. He hurried on over back to work, waving a final goodbye to Korra. Lin shot Korra a piercing look as if telling her not to interrupt her metalbenders and her operation. Korra understood. She responded with a quick smirk, then hurried off.
Her conversation with Tenzin was brief. To her surprise he supported the idea, saying it would be a good experience for her to see other areas of their world, just as Aang and his gang did. Regardless of the celebration things were beginning to calm down in the city, suggesting it would be as good a time as any to venture off. With Tenzin's permission Korra now couldn't wait to tell Mako.
He was alone in the apartment ready to start dinner when she arrived and her heart was racing in excitement. "Hey Mako", she yelled running to him.
His response was nonchalant, " Hi Korra." His back was to her as he started to pull out things to lake dinner.
"So", she began dragging out her words. " I talked to Iroh today and i'm going with you to the firenation."
Mako paused, slowly turning to the girl behind him. "Wait. What?"
"I talked to General Iroh earlier and i'm coming with you to the firenation", she said slowly but still with excitement.
"And how exactly did this conversation go?"
" Well I kind of suggested that I come. And how can you argue with the Avatar?"
"Have you talked to Tenzin?"
Now she was getting frustrated with his lack of enthusiam. "Yes, I have and he approved too. But why am i getting the feeling that you don't", she said with an attitude.
"Look, I just...I'm not sure how I feel about it"
"Just the other night you said being apart half the day was long enough. I thought you'd be happy i was coming."
"I did say that and I meant it too-"
She cut him off, "Then what's the problem", she said irritated.
He took in a deep breath, searching for the right words, but he couldn't seem to find them. The longer he paused the more upset she got.
Why don't you want me to go?" her voice was getting louder.
"I didn't say that I didn't want you to go, you're putting words in my mouth", his tone escalated as well. "All i said was I didn't know how I felt about it."
"Well come find me when you figure out how you feel about it", she said snatching up her coat. "But I'm gettig on that boat in two days, regardless of how you feel about it." She stomped down the stairs passing Bolin who was walking up. He greeted her with a candid hi, she responded with a grunt and contniued storming off. Bolin watched her pass with a questioning look. Meanwhile Mako growled a sigh to himself as he slapped the palm of his hand against his forehead. What just happened, he thought to himself.
So there you have it, the first chapter of my new fanfic. It'll get more dramatic soon so be on the lookout for more chapters. Review it and tell me what you think. More soon.