WELCOME TO REPUBLIC CITY:
I slipped on my golden headband to hold my hair out of my face before taking a running leap toward the edge of the island. I whistled my four-note tune and projected myself over the edge. Just before hitting the water, a giant fluffy white creature with brown arrows on all its limbs swept under me, taking me on a smooth flight just above the surface of Yue Lake. Before we got too far, she dove deep into the water. I held my breath and dug my hands into her fur, gripping tighter as the water grew darker. Then, just as we reached the bottom and my ears began to scream, she kicked off the bottom and shot toward the surface. I screamed with glee as we passed the surface and were welcomed by strong, yet gentle, winds.
"Great ride, Aika," I pet her affectionately as she flew to the surface of the bay with ease. I formed two fists and locked them against each other, causing a great swirl of air to wrap around me and dry me off. I jumped at a tree branch and snagged an apple, which I then gave to Aika, who appreciated it and licked me after.
I made a sort of rolling sound in the back of my throat, my signature call for my flying lemur, Lychee. It wasn't long before he came swooping down onto my shoulder. I offered him an apple, too, which he accepted and ate.
The sun was beginning to rise, which meant we were leaving soon. I picked up Lychee from my shoulder and set him down on a branch. He cocked his head to the side, confused as to why I didn't want him with me.
"You have to stay here, Lychee. It's too cold for you at the South Pole," I reasoned, scratching him behind the ear. I leapt onto Aika and hurried back to the temple to find my family waiting patiently for me on top of Oogi.
"I want to ride with Zumi!" Meelo jumped up and down, climbing on Tenzin and pulling his beard. "Zumi! Zumi! Zumi!"
"Do you mind, Kazumi?" he asked, his eyes begging me.
"It's fine with me," I said, Aika stopping to rest next to Oogi.
"Yeah!" Meelo cheered and flipped into the air, landing on Aika's saddle.
"I want to go too! Please, daddy?" Ikki begged. Tenzin sighed and gave me a thank you look as she jumped over as well. I smiled, knowing that he, Pema, and Jinora would have a relaxing trip. I didn't mind watching them, so long as it's helping them out.
The trip took all day, and we didn't stop anywhere along the way. Tenzin made it very clear that the trip had to be as timely as possible, because getting back to his responsibilities, as a counsel member, was a priority. Meelo spent much of the time sitting on my shoulders and playing with my hair while Ikki repeatedly asked if we were there yet.
"The colder you get, the closer we become, Ikki"
"But you're supposed to get warmer when you get closer!"
"Not if you're going to the South Pole"
"Are we here, yet? Are we here yet?" Ikki repeated, in spite of my attempts to calm her. Not that it surprised me.
"Yes, we're here," I finally announced.
"Yay!" she cheered. We had arrived a few minutes before the others, so we were welcomed first. Aika took us down into the inner walls of the Southern Tribe.
"Gran-gran!" I grinned as I slid off of Aika's tail and into my grandmother's arms.
"Kazumi," she smiled warmly, embracing me. "So good to see you! And you must be Meelo," she said, lifting him from on top of me.
"Unhand me, strange woman!" he demanded, wriggling in her grasp. She laughed and let him go, setting him loose on Ikki, who ran screaming as he tried to catch her.
"I have so much to tell you, Gran-gran. I can't wait to—" I stopped when I realized that a girl was standing behind her expectantly. "Are you…"
"You're an airbender!" she said, rushing forward.
"Sure am! My name is Kazumi"
"I thought airbenders had tattoos"
"Only once they've mastered the element completely. I'm not quite there, yet," I grinned sheepishly. "Not that I'm rushing it— it involves shaving my head, so…"
"Tenzin?" Korra said, distracted by the arrival of my father. I stepped aside, anticipating her movements.
"Meelo, that is not a toilet!" I shouted, running to catch my brother.
/
"So… how long until you can teach me airbending?" Korra asked eagerly. "A week? A Month?"
"It could be much longer than that, I'm afraid"
"Then I'll come with you!"
"It's not the right time, Korra. The city is not safe for you"
"I could stay, father. I may not be a master, but I can teach her what I know," I offered.
"That's a lovely idea," Gran-gran suggested, basically sealing the deal.
"Alright," Tenzin sighed. I turned to Korra to see her beaming at me.
"So when do we start?"
/
The air was biting cold, but with the right mindset, it only felt like a chill nipping at my skin, not a piercing arctic freeze. The snow was packed from footsteps, but still had a fresh layer of snow so that it was not yet slippery. Perfect for a place to start our training.
"So what do you know already?" I asked.
"Nothing, really. I know that Aang was an airbender"
"Okay, that's good," I said, although I sensed that this was going to be a long day. "Well, from what your other teachers have told me, you seem to be skilled in the physical part of bending, but struggle with your spiritual side. We're going to have to focus on that before we can get to actual bending"
"Awww," she moaned.
"Airbending is the element of freedom and peace. We learned our bending from the sky bison, the original airbenders. It is because we sought out spiritual enlightenment that we were gifted with the skill of airbending. This is why we're going to start with meditating"
"Meditating?"
"Yes"
I sat down and took deep breaths, closing my eyes and letting all of my anxiety flow out of me. Soon my muscles were relaxed and I felt as if I were floating on water. The air around me stopped feeling cold— it felt as if it were completely at balance with my body.
"Uh… Kazumi?" I peeked out of one eye to see Korra struggling to even cross her legs. "I don't think I'm doing this right"
I took a deep breath and let it out, the airflow pushing me up from the ground until I was on my feet.
"Can't you show me some airbending instead?"
"Alright, but then we meditate," I bargained, reaching my hand out to help her out of her awkward position.
"The key to airbending is to be flexible and find the path of least resistance."
"Least resistance— got it."
"Hit me."
"What?"
"Try to touch me"
"Okay," she said, hesitantly reaching toward me. I slid my heel and turned my body, her hand missing me by multiple inches. She gathered herself and took a swing at me, but I continued to evade her attacks, as they grew more frequent and powerful. Finally, she sent a blast of fire at me out of frustration, forcing me to finally use my bending to evade her attack. I leapt into the air and cartwheeled over her, landing lightly on my feet behind her.
She turned to look at me and I just smiled sweetly. "Do you want to try again, or do you give up?"
"I never give up"
/
Days had passed since Tenzin left and Korra had made little progress. All she ever wanted to do was fight. I told her that she couldn't just skip to bending— that she has to be patient and earn her way to it— but she won't accept it. I had managed to teach her to meditate, although she had little patience for it. I just don't think being cooped up here is going to help her.
"How about we take a day off," I suggested.
"What? But I thought you were going to teach me some more moves"
"I will, but I think we need a break."
"We could go run the obstacle course, or we could… explore," she said with a glint in excitement in her eye.
"Why don't we go exploring? I'd love to see more of the South Pole"
She broke into a devilish grin and let out a whistle, her polar bear dog leaping into the scene and pounding her way over to us with her big white paws.
"Let's go for a ride, Naga," Korra said and hopped onto her back. I leapt into the air and landed softly behind her, grasping her fur to secure myself, although I quickly found out that holding Naga's fur was not going to help. As soon as she began running, I felt my fingers sliding from their grip on her short white fur. She was nothing like Aika, who was graceful in her movements and had long soft fur to hold onto, but made rough movements and had short slick fur that was hard to hold onto.
But then I got used to the movements and relished in the rush of wind in my face. Now that I had a feel for it, I let go of Naga's fur and raised my arms into the air, the wind deafening, but my scream still audible enough for Korra to turn her head and smile back at me. To my dismay, Naga slowed to a stop, the adrenaline rush fading.
"That's why I like to fight— it feels like that. It's my freedom."
"We should head back, but I'd love to try out that obstacle course"
I was pleased with the thrill the ride back gave me— it was just as great as it had been on the way there. Better, even.
Korra jumped onto the hanging web of ropes and began to run the course. I followed, having fun with the concept of a fully physical course without bending.
"This is fun!"
"I run it every day," Korra said, climbing a rope before jumping onto a tower.
"You should see the stuff we have on Air Temple Island. It's all for bending training, but there's still plenty to do otherwise."
"What's one of them?"
"Well, I like to take a running leap off of the edge of the island and have Aika catch me. Then we dive to the bottom of Yue Lake and burst up to the surface as fast as we can and keep going up into the sky until we're in the clouds"
"That sounds like a rush!"
"Well, I've got to do something on that island all day"
"What about Republic City?"
"Dad doesn't really like me going there— he says it's not safe for me"
"And you've never snuck out? It can't be hard, just fly over when he's at a council meeting or at night"
"But what if I got caught? Or something happened?"
"No one would be able to catch you, you're too evasive. Not to mention fast"
I laughed, "yeah, that's how I got my nickname Zumi, because I'm zoomy."
"My name's too short for a nickname"
"It's not too short, Kor…. Ra…" I tried to figure out a good nickname, but there really was nothing to work with. "How about Hothead?"
She laughed, "Alright, but only if I can call you Twinkle-toes"
"Only on special occasions"
"Deal"
/
That night, I stirred in my sleep, not because it was too cold—although I will admit, I did not come dressed for the weather— but because the door was wide open. I noticed Korra's absence immediately and hopped to my feet, running outside to find her disappearing into where Naga was kept.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" I said, standing in the doorway.
"I have to— my destiny is in Republic City, I just know it. I can't stay here forever, I need to experience new things, live on Air Temple Island and learn bending in that environment. I'm glad you stayed here to help me, but I feel trapped here, and how am I supposed to master the element of freedom when I'm being held captive?"
It was hard to argue with her.
"Alright, but how do you plan on getting there? Naga can't possibly swim the whole way and Aika can't carry her"
"I'm going to catch the next ship out of here, it should be leaving soon."
"Alright. I guess I'll fly on Aika and meet you there. I'll wait until the ship leaves before telling Gran-gran so she doesn't worry"
"Thank you, Kazumi"
"That's Twinkle-toes to you, Hothead"
I waited until the ship had disappeared on the horizon, the sun lighting up the rim of the sea and warming the sky. I sighed, knowing that letting Korra leave might get me in trouble with the Order of the White Lotus, not to mention Tenzin. I stood up, brushing the snow off of my cold bare legs and jumped down off of Gran-gran's roof, only to find her waiting for me.
"Gran-gran, I—"
"Korra left," she said bluntly.
"Yeah, how did you—"
"It's not hard to guess what Korra's going to do. She doesn't hide it well"
"I know dad doesn't want Korra to go, but she needs to in order to master airbending. We were barely making progress while we were training here. She's ready to move on, to understand freedom and have a taste of what it's like to be an airbender"
"It's alright, I understand"
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not, you have my blessing. I would, however, suggest leaving now before the others wake up, for they will not be as supportive"
"Right," I nodded and gave her a hug. "I'll see you later, Gran-gran"
"Keep an eye on that girl for me, she's got an eye for trouble"
"I will, promise!"
/
When I arrived back home, I left Aika out by the bay and went inside to get some food after my long journey.
"Kazumi! You're back!" Ikki cheered, hopping on an air scooter and zooming over to me.
"Hey, Ikki," I said and hugged her. It wasn't long before Meelo and Jinora came running to the scene.
"We didn't expect you back so soon, it's only been a few weeks," Jinora asked.
"Well, we weren't really making much progress there," I looked out at the water, searching for the ship. There was one leaving the harbor— it was worth checking out. "I have to go, but I'll be back soon!"
"Where are you going?" she asked as I raised my arm, my glider flying into my hand.
"I'll be back soon!" I said and leapt into the air, flying toward the city. Please don't be in trouble.
It wasn't hard to find Korra— unfortunately; it was because she had gotten herself into trouble and was being carried in the air by the law enforcements. I changed my course and went to get my father from city hall. I grimaced, knowing I was going to be in big trouble, myself.
"Dad!" I said, bursting into his office. Thankfully, he wasn't in a meeting at the moment. "Korra's in trouble"
"What?" he stood from his seat, his chair almost tipping over. "What happened?"
"She was arrested— taken away by metalbenders"
Needless to say, we rushed over to headquarters where she was being detained. Tenzin demanded to see Korra straight away, and we were down a hall with metal walls that opened and closed intricately.
"Chief, Councilman Tenzin and his daughter are here," the officer said through the wall.
"Send them in," a strong voice ordered.
I followed Tenzin inside the room, immediately locking eyes with the woman across the table from Korra. Her intense green eyes held my gaze until Tenzin spoke.
"Lin, you're looking radiant as—"
"Cut the crap, Tenzin. What's the avatar doing wrecking havoc in my city?" she did not sound pleased.
"I'm asking myself the same question," he said, sending a quick glare at me. I looked away and instead focused on my flats, the red ribbons extending from my feet up my leg in a cross-wrap. Although I didn't appear to be paying attention, my ears were alert.
"If you would be so kind as to drop the charges against Korra, I will take full responsibility for today's regrettable events and cover all the damages."
Pondering his proposal, she looked from me, to him, to Korra, finally sighing and raising her hand, releasing Korra's handcuffs.
"Fine, just get them out of my city"
"Always a pleasure, Lin. Let's go, Kazumi," he said and turned to walk out, "Hurry up, Korra"
I looked back to see Korra mocking Lin on her way out, both glaring at each other with malcontent.
"Come on, Korra," I whispered harshly, reminding her that we had to leave. She picked up the pace, keeping her head high as she exited the room. The metal doors shut behind us, the sliding noise grinding into my ears.
"What happened?" I asked her.
"After I got off the boat, I went to get some food in the city. I didn't have any money, so I got some fish from a pond. Then a police officer started chasing me, so Naga and I went further into the city."
"I mean what got you in trouble," I said, wanting to know exactly how it had happened.
"These three thugs, the 'Triple Threat Triad'," she mocked with air quotes, "were ganging up on a harmless shopkeeper. Then one thing led to another… Basically, I beat them up and the police came, but then they wanted to arrest me too, so I ran, and then they caught me and brought me here"
"When you say you beat them up… you didn't do any property damage, did you?"
"I may have thrown a guy through a window… and a Satomobile may have crashed into a building…"
I slapped my forehead.
"They were going to burn down his shop and rob him!" she defended.
"And they would keep doing it unless they were arrested, I know," I sighed. I am in so much trouble.
We followed Tenzin at a safe distance until we went inside the waiting room to get Naga.
"Dad—"
"Kazumi. You blatantly disobeyed my wishes and the orders of the White Lotus."
"But Korra needed to get out of there, she can't learn airbending when she feels trapped. Even Gran-gran agrees with me that she needed to follow her own path—"
"Don't bring my mother into this!" he said furiously, his face turning lychee red.
"It's not Kazumi's fault, Tenzin. I need to come here, I can't stay cooped up in the South Pole forever!" Korra took a calming breath, "I saw a lot of the city today, and it's totally out of whack. I understand now why you need to stay here. Republic City needs you— but it needs me, too."
Tenzin closed his eyes and stroked his beard slowly, thinking it over. Then, the gate opened and a man walked in with Naga.
"Is this your polar bear dog, miss?" he asked in monotone as Naga licked his hair, fashioning it into an upstanding swirl.
/
"Korra!" Meelo and Ikki swarmed toward her as she stepped onto the island. Jinora walked over excitedly and hugged Korra when the other kids calmed down.
"Are you coming to live with us on the island?" Ikki beamed up at Korra.
"No," she said sadly, crouching down to level with her, "I'm sorry, I have to go home"
She stood back up, leaving the children watching sadly as she walked toward me.
"I'm sorry," I said, looking her in the eye.
"Me too," she sighed, "Goodbye," Korra raised a hand onto Naga's neck and the two of them walked to the ship.
"Wait—" Tenzin cut in. "I have done my best to guide Republic City toward the vision my father had for it, but you're right, it has fallen out of balance since he passed. I thought you should stay at the South Pole, to protect his legacy, but you are his legacy. You may stay here and resume your airbending training on the island."
"YES!" Korra punched the air enthusiastically, lifting me in the air with a hug. The kids ran over and, to my surprise, she picked them up, too. Lychee, my lemur, flew in a circle over us before landing on top of my head, Naga scooting closer to lick Korra.
Tenzin sighed, "What have I gotten myself into?"