Chapter 1: Welcome to Republic City
"The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched -
they must be felt with the heart."
-Helen Keller
Four year old Korra was currently rolling around the floor of her bedroom as she underwent the boring task of waiting for her mother to call and alert her that the Order of the White Lotus had arrived. In mid-roll she paused her blue eyes trailing to her silent friend, "…Yuyaaaa!" she crawled over and snatched the book from her friend eying it oddly, "Ew…this is a fashion thing."
Having her favorite magazine ripped from her small hands, Yuya tried to retrieve it from the elder girl, "Give it back, Korra!"
Korra gave a laugh as she trotted away Yuya hot on her heels, "Nya! Come and get it! Come and Get it!"
Shaking a bit Yuya twirled around, taking in the snow from the open window slamming it into Korra, "Korra!"
Letting out a yelp Korra, fell and popped up shaking the snow off her with a growl she blasted the snow back at Yuya, "Hey!"
Yuya being the weaker of the four year old duo went sailing back and slamming into the igloo wall with a breathless cry, sliding down she was limp.
Korra froze as she rushed over to inspect her friend, "Yuya!" tapping the cheek lightly she began to panic. She didn't mean to hurt her friend! Yuya was always the sickly one of the village and of course she knew Yuya was special too, "H-Hey…!" a sigh was let out of her small chest as she saw the even breathing. She just knocked her out…taking in her friend's appearance she noticed the pale skin and gave a small smile, 'Pretty…' she shook her head quickly, it seemed Yuya inherited her father's skin and a bit of his eye color, 'Fire nation daddy and a water tribe mommy.' As she thought about it she knew her friend's mother was a water bender and her family was entrusted with…something about Avatar Aang and Energy bending.
"Nn…Ko…rra?" a small shuffle and a small frown directed at Korra, Yuya peered at her friend bit tiredly, "…Don't do that again."
Korra let out a small grin and nodded letting her friend go, "Can't promise!"
"White Lotus has honored my family by coming..." Tonraq spoke as he stood outside his friend door, lantern in hand, "Thank you." Opening the door he saw his wife Senna sweeping.
Senna paused her sweeping, brushing her hair back and gave a bow, "Welcome." Just then a shield fell and rolled to the ground. She gave a mental sigh, she loved her daughter but she didn't have to make a mess…though she wondered what that bang was earlier.
"We have investigated many claims." The leader of the three White Lotus members began taking his down, "Here and in the Northern tribe, all have turned out to be false."
Senna held her broom with a slight meh kind of smile as her husband came over and placed his hand upon her small shoulder the two shared a look and smiled, "Then you should be happy to know, your search has come to an end."
Another parent claiming this. It was getting a bit old, "What makes you so sure your daughter is the one." Of course as he finished he made sure to give a slightly snide look.
Turning a bit Senna turned towards the wall a hand to the side of her mouth to amplify her request, "Korra! Please come in here!"
Korra glanced away from her friend then back at Yuya, "Yay!"
"Go, go." Yuya gave a small giggle as she watched her friend get into a sloppy stance.
Korra blasted the wall down causing a bang, woosh, and boom, "I'm the Avatar!" she stood there in a typical horse stance, her right hand leveled with her waist as she slightly turned her body looking up as she held her left hand up in a sort of pose before looking towards the members eyes confidant, "You gotta deal with it!"
Yuya peeked from behind her friend a curious look in her eyes, "?" turning she watched Korra jump out head cocked to the left, 'She reminds me of the flying Lemoore.' She held back a giggle.
A thrust with her right hand a small stream of fire erupted lighting up the area for a quick flash a spin jump turned into a fire bending round house kick as she landed in another stance in front of the members, her right leg bent as her left was straight behind her, bending the stone of the floor at the one she deemed fattie member number one before she gave another jump and sent a small fire ball towards him causing him to stumble back and then a small stream of water to put it out.
The three members stared stunned before looking back at the little four year old.
Korra was once more in a horse stance, as she raised water from a puddle and let it drop before raising another stone and thrusting it to the right, landing she rushed forward and sent out a blast of fire and when done she stood there proudly, her little chest heaving only to let out a small yelp as she felt small arms wrap around her own, "Eh?"
Yuya gazed up at Korra in admiration with a small smile, "…Flame-o, Korra…" she of coursed use the Fire Nation term since it was the so called hottest slang in her magazine.
Tonraq and Senna were called to the side to talk to the Lotus members.
"It seems she is indeed the Avatar." The fat one began stroking his beard.
"Yes though…our late friend's Hamari and Lee passed on…that is their daughter one of the very few energy benders." Senna began as she looked towards her daughter and the little girl she has been raising as well almost like a second child.
The members looked at each other; they knew Avatar Aang only taught very few chosen people that skill he said a Lion-Turtle taught him. That could be useful.
"She also is a water bender, since from what we do know before elemental bending it was just energy bending." Tonraq motioned with his left hand.
"Indeed…that would come in handy." The fat member stroked his beard and gave a nod, "Very well. We will take them both with us."
The two parents looked at each other then back at the little girls, "…Alright."
It was later that night Korra and Yuya sat together on Korra's bed the two talking—mostly Korra talking.
"We get to go together!" Korra grinned and threw her arms up relishing in the fact she was the Avatar and it was now official!
"…Uh-huh…" on the other hand Yuya didn't like the idea as she flipped a page in her magazine a blank gaze on her face. She would learn water bending with Korra of course she guessed but other than that…she wasn't sure as soon as she heard the word energy bending she felt scared.
Korra frowned at her friend before placing her small hands on even smaller frailer shoulders, "Yuya!" she was met with unsure scared eyes, "I'll protect you no matter what!" a giant grin was added.
"…Promise?"
"Promise! Always!"
A smile albeit sleep came onto Yuya's face as she nodded, "Okay, Korra." Maybe it wouldn't be so bad for what she knew…Energy bending could take bending and open possibilities to learning elemental bending—though of course one for each person since only the Avatar could do all four.
Korra gave a grin as she moved away from her friend and gave a few punches and jabs to the air, "Alright! I'm so pumped I can't sleep! Heh, heh!"
Another blank gaze as she felt Senna and Tonraq's energy calm and even she knew they were asleep but Korra her's was blazing and Yuya let out a groan, "…No sleep…tonight." And so she was kept up all night with the happy chattering of Korra.
Thirteen years later...
Fire it was a beautiful thing and a deadly thing Yuya noted as she watched Korra jump into the air kicking left leg first then right as the beautiful flames shot out (They seemed to dance in a way), tilting her head she still couldn't help but want to alter her friends Fire Bending training uniform she wore over her water tribe clothes. Oh and did she mention she felt uneasy standing by three old stick in the mud overseers and Master Katara?
The sparring partner for Korra stared at the incoming seven teen year old girl as he quickly made an x block in front of his face to block the flames—which in the end still resulted in him being thrown back pathetically, "Ugh!" he hit the training ground and then flew off the ring.
Korra landed, her knees slightly bent as she had a good space in her stance, turning so her torso faced her two new opponents she raised her arms to be at level with her chest, "Hn!"
The next two sparing partners thrust their arms out sending two balls of fire which joined at Korra which surrounded her person.
Leaning over the wooden railing, her chins placed upon her upturned palms, slightly bent over she blew a dyed blue lock from her face the light southern polar wind making her head piece sapphire jewels jingle a bit, "…Master Katara?"
Katara glanced at her other water bending student with a gentle smile, "Yes?" it wasn't often Yuya would speak to anyone when Korra was training.
"…Korra's boobs grew again."
Katara felt her eyebrow twitch slightly as she stared at Yuya (Who's face she could partially see at the moment), "…I…see…how is that relevant to what is going on?"
"Her arm placement seems a bit different."
Glancing back Katara inspected it seemed so…though she did not know much on fire bending but what she knew from when Zuko taught Aang and what Korra was taught, "Ah."
Korra had dispelled the fire, her arms going around in a full circle, her posture was straight but her head was slightly bent down, the upper left hand corner of her mouth twitched up in a small smile or smirk depending on the view and when the fire was gone she got into a boxing like stance, "Heh!"
The two training partners growled in annoyance.
The one to the left struck out first, left fist shot out flames, right fist followed next with a fireball.
Korra dodged the first blow, leaning back she caught the second blow and tossed it back at high speed like a ball, "Ho!" she spun sideways her leg arching up as flames shot from her foot back at the sparring partner, landing she dashed towards them as they charged at her firing attacks, she then dove to the ground, using her heel to trip one sparring partner in mid air.
"Guh!" he spun in the air, eyes wide as he was sort of cart wheeling before he crashed to the ground with a grunt and quickly knelt up.
Korra glanced back with a Oh damn just stay down already type expression before glancing at the other bender who shot a fireball at her, catching it (Intercepting more like it) she stopped it, kicking her right leg out to hit the male she made fly before turning her attention back to the other one, tossing back a whip of fire, the first three missed but the fourth blast hit dead on followed by a quick sixth.
The bender (who Korra doubt cartwheel) dashed back up behind her two more blasts of fire he sent only to have Korra dodge.
On the third Korra quickly raised her right arm at a bent angle blocking the fire which had left over little sparks and ember fly over her head. Getting into a side horse stance Korra took a breath and let it out as she pulled her right arm back, torso twisting a bit as she let loose with her left hand a long blast of bright orange and yellow flames which then had a little circle arc around it and her person, "Hah!" she then turned and drew her leg up blocking another blast before throwing out a fire ball, then raising her arms in a quick x in front of her face at the hot blast of fire.
'This is getting a bit redundant.' Was Yuya's thought as she twirled a lock of her hair, the back was really short and spiky but the front went to her chin then the sides of course since it was fashionable went to her collar bone but were held by traditional water tribe beads. Maybe she would try doing it to Korra's hair…though she might get whined at for it.
Korra broke free of the blast jerking her arms back once more elbows bent and leveled on either side of her, her hair blew towards the right, her eyes held concentration, one leg went back and she stood on her toes, the other foreword and bent holding her ground, "Hough!" arms thrust-ed up and foreword two twin blasts of fire shot out and sent the last sparring partner flying and smoking right onto the roof area of the watching elders.
"She's strong." Katara spoke up, her gaze trained on Korra but her eyes held a small twinkle.
"She lacks restraint." Spoke the bald bearded elder as he glanced towards Katara, "Unlike Yuya. Who shows it."
"…I'm just a water bender for defense and healing." She began glancing over from side of her eyes, "Unlike Korra…I don't like to fight or train."
"Noted."
Katara gave a small chuckle. She had a feeling Yuya wanted to say something else.
Turning Korra began to run towards the very last one who she noted would not stay down and was currently blasting flames at her…so of course she put a smile on as she ran. Footsteps—her own she could hear were rapid, she felt familiar heat and her skin began to glow from the fire light, placing her hands outward palms foreword she dashed into the flames, thrusting her hands back to dispel it she appeared in the partners line of sight, her own hands between his own shocked raised ones (Also she ignored his cry of shock), kicked off his knee, then his chest and flipped over his head, currently she was upside down in the air, with a slight adjustment of her body (A twist she heard Yuya call out), she kept balance left arm in air, left leg slightly behind her as she twisted with a round house kick in mid air with her right, the flames shooting out of her foot.
The Sparring male blocked, eyes clenched closed.
Korra gave a scowl as she twisted fully upright in mid air, and moved like she was sitting, legs spread just the right amount apart, she held both hands in front of her tightening her fists and shot out a giant fireball which turned into a fire stream as she landed and the male passed out.
With that Yuya dashed towards Korra, hearing her woo-hoo cry and her victory pose with her arms up.
"Whoa!" Korra yelped as she caught the flying 5'3, style loving Yuya, her arms automatically wrapping around a curvy waist (Whoa when did Yuya get a girl body?)
Noticing the startled look Yuya put in, "You just have an athletic build. I have apparently a Lolita style body—one word about it and I will make fun of your chest!" she huffed, arms wrapping around Korra's neck as the Avatar carried her in a run back towards the elders.
"I said nothing!" Korra laughed and slowly came to a stop, placing Yuya down as they reached the elders, "Hey! Why all the doom and gloom people?" she took her helmet off, wide grin in place as she held her arms apart in motion, "We should be celebrating!" right arm which held the helmet slackened, her body slouching a bit a she lent foreword, hair swishing to the left as she held up three fingers, "Three elements down, one to go!" she then held one finger up and looked up towards the sky.
'Here it comes.' Were Yuya's thoughts as she adjusted her gloves, ah white gloves with little glowing water tribe sapphires. Her prized work was lovely as she began to tune out the old bastards—er old farts—who was she kidding they were bastards (except master Katara).
"You're getting ahead of yourself as usual, Korra." The one in fire nation elder robes began, "We haven't decided if you passed your fire bending test yet."
Korra glanced at Yuya with a slight look of disbelief hearing the elders speak before she quickly stood at attention as fattie elder (She still called him that) spoke.
"Ever since you were a little girl, you've excelled at the physical side of bending…but completely ignored the spiritual side."
Korra's eyelids slid down a bit to a halfway point, eyes showing disinterest as she pouted slightly, bottom lip jutted out, 'Here we go again…who needs spiritual! I mean if I needed it I would ask Yuya! She has plenty of it!'
Katara gave a small mental chuckle as she saw the two young girls though right now Korra was reminding her of Sokka when he pouted or was bored.
"The Avatar must master both."
Korra gave a mental sigh as he shut up, her shoulders slumping a bit as she looked like a kicked puppy, "I haven't ignored it." She felt a small hand grip her sleeve as she raised them in a motion to show a shrug, "It just hasn't come easy to me."
Continuing to keep a small grip on Korra's sleeve, Yuya stared down at her knee high boots. Her sapphires weren't glowing that much there…it meant the energy from Korra was a bit tired but not from training but from this conversation, 'Why is it Korra my energy readings and bending respond to the most…' must be because she was the avatar.
Looking to the side for a moment before tilting her head back to the elders Korra continued, "But that's why I should start training with Tenzin immediately." Raising her right arm and holding it out with a slight flick of the wrist she straightened her posture, "He's mister spiritual." She saw fattie move up.
"Do you think she is ready, Master Katara?"
Katara had her hands folded in her coat sleeves, "Yes." She closed her eyes, "If anyone can teach her what she needs to learn…its Tenzin."
"Very well, Korra."
Yuya knew it was coming as she let Korra's sleeve go.
"It's time for you to begin your air bending training."
"Yes!" Korra pumped her arms up a bit before twirling in the air with a slight jump, her stance was a sort of victory pose as she held her helmet up an eye smile with a grin, "Finally!" it then hit her and her eyes snapped open bottom lip jutted out again as she stared at the elders who all held different looks.
"Pft…" covering her mouth, Yuya sniggered.
"I mean…" Korra cleared her throat and got into the traditional bow, "Thank you all for believing in me." With that she began to walk backwards a few feet, hand shooting out she grabbed Yuya's thin wrist and tugged her along running, "Hah, hah!"
"Ah!" stumbling a bit only to let out a cry as Korra quickly picked her up bridal style she tugged the two dangling brown locks, "K-Korra!"
"Heh! To slow! Faster if I carry you!"
Katara stared after the two her gaze mostly on Korra for a few more moments, a smile on her face. Korra was just like Aang in a way but the two were so, so very different. Opposite in personality as she was a balance in a way for Aang she felt that Yuya was the balance for Korra, a sudden sigh left her as she saw the two bicker, "Teenagers."
The rest of the elders grunted in response.
Korra trotted down the steps to the kennel area, using a free hand to throw open a gate as she placed Yuya down, "Naga! You should of seen it!"
Naga looked over her shoulder, tail wagging, ears perked.
"I kicked some fire bender butt and I passed!" hugging Naga around her muzzle she snuggled her friend and partner, hand raising to Naga's cheek as her tongue rolled out she pet the soft furry head, "Tenzin will be here in a few days."
Naga happily began to lick Korra's face.
"…I wonder since she is big enough standing…if she went on her hind legs how tall would she be?" Yuya walked over only to make a sound of distress as Naga licked her too, slob covering her face, "Ew…Naga!"
Naga went back and forth between licking the two, Korra's laughter echoing along in tune with Yuya's cries of distress.
"N-No more!"
"Hah, hah!"
"Arooo~!"
-The Fool Arcana-
7/3/14: So I combined the prologue and the first chapter into one. I hope I got the time skip correct...always sucked at math lol.
Anyways if you still see some grammar errors please be nice and let me know or forever hold your piece. I tried my best but alas...I might have skipped over things. I will be coming back to this chapter though to correct any errors.