Amon had won. Korra had overpowered and defeated him in battle and managed to successfully airbend, but he had still managed to destroy her, just as he had promised he would. Distantly, she heard Katara tell her that even she, the greatest Waterbender in the world, was incapable of curing her, and that she was sorry. The Avatar felt hollow inside as Katara's words began to sink in, her heart turned to lead where once there was fire, earth and water coexisting in harmony. How could she bring balance to the world when she had been so irreparably unbalanced herself? Her bending had defined her, and that power had fled the Avatar. Korra ignored sympathetic stares as she stepped out of Katara's solar. She did not want to be pitied.

"It's going to be alright, Korra," Tenzin said delicately, as though she were made of glass, and that even the softest words would shatter her.

"No, it's not." Her voice was surprisingly devoid of emotion.

How could I let this happen, she wondered as she brushed past her family and friends, grabbing her coat. It had been her duty as the Avatar to master all four elements and maintain equity across all nations. Korra had failed miserably, and she hated herself for it.

"Korra, wait!" Mako called as she walked in the icy tundra that had been her home, his long strides quickly catching up with her. She sighed, and stopped.

Korra tried to inject all the venom into her voice that she could, feebly. "Go away." She just wanted to be alone; she did not want to hear his hollow assurances of how everything was going to get better if she just waited for a miracle to happen. Korra could not bring herself to hope.

"I will," he began gently, "but I just want you to know, I'm here for you."

"No, I mean go away. Back to Republic City. Get on with your life." As I no longer can, she left unsaid, folding her arms and looking away from the firebender. Her life was over, but there was no reason why she should have to drag others down with her.

"I'm not the Avatar any more, you don't need to do me any favours." Korra said, her voice sounding empty, fittingly.

Korra began walking away again, but Mako would not give up, and he halted her with his hand on her shoulder.

"I don't care if you're the Avatar or not. Listen, when Tarrlok took you, I was losing my mind at the thought of never seeing you again. I realised that - I love you Korra," Mako blurted out, resting a palm on her face.

That took her by surprise. His hand was comforting on her skin, her own aqua blue eyes met his amber and she instantly regretted it, remembering Asami.

She grudgingly pulled herself away from his soft touch, and managed to spit out "I - I can't," turning on her heels, running and mounting Naga, not daring to turn back. How selfish could he be? Now was not the time for declarations of love.

Korra ignored Mako's protests, and rode out of the compound where she had lived as swiftly as she could. Reaching the icy cliffs where she had played as a child, she could finally be alone with her memories. Korra had always been a boisterous child; confident and outgoing. Now she was a shell of her former self, melancholy and brooding. Her fur lined boots were steady on the snow, and as she stared out to sea she felt tears welling. She let them fall in silence as she looked below, a several hundred metre drop at least. A thought struck her.

Korra had failed as the Avatar and would forever lament her losses by Amon, but wouldn't it be so much kinder to end it? The Avatar spirit would be reborn, and the new Avatar could do what Korra could not. She thought of Lin Beifong, one of the greatest metalbenders of her time, now merely a husk of her former self, and all those others she had failed to protect; Tahno, and even Councilman Tarrlok.

Silent tears turned to sobs as she collapsed to the ground and hugged herself, replaying what she could have done differently in her mind. Steeling herself, the Avatar stood. Korra wiped her tears.

She turned back, and saw her polar bear dog. Korra buried herself into Naga's warm fur, and whispered her goodbyes. Naga was her spiritual companion, but she would be cared for.

She was finally going to fly, she thought bitterly as she approached the cliff side again, breathing slowly. It won't hurt at all, she reassured herself as she hugged her arm. Korra should have been more careful of what she wished for.

Her most happy memories crashed over her in a wave of nostalgia. Her first time bending when she was little more than a suckling babe. Discovering that she was the Avatar before she could even read. Being given a small white pup at the age of five. Mastering water, earth and firebending and the adrenaline that pumped through her veins during her firebending examination. Katara telling her to realise her destiny; I'm sorry, Katara. Having her breath stolen from her seeing Republic City for the first time. Meeting Mako and Bolin. Becoming the leaf. Probending. Becoming friends with Asami. Mother, father, everyone, I am so sorry I failed you all.

Choosing release, she stepped forward and let the wind take her.