Avatar: Legend of the Woman Warrior-Refined Edition Chapter 1: 0—Meet Miss Avatar, a legend of korra fanfic

Earth…

Fire…

Air…

… Water…

I remember as a child, mother would tell me the tale of how she and Uncle Sokka found the boy in an iceberg.

The long lost Avatar.

My father.

And I remember as my father trained me, he tells me stories of how he and his friends heroically ended the Hundred Year War, piece by piece as motivation. Then, after the struggle to regain harmony, Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko transformed the Fire Nation Colonies into the United Republic of Nations, a society where benders and nonbenders from all over the world could live together and thrive together in tranquil unity.

They named the capital of this great land, Republic City.

Avatar Aang accomplished many remarkable things in his life. But sadly, his time in this world came to an end. And like the cycle of the seasons, the cycle of the Avatar began anew.

Avatar—Legend of the Woman Warrior

Reboot By, Ro Oeuvre Belvedere

Book I:

Air

Prologue:

Meet Miss Avatar

The South Pole was doused by another snowstorm, with brisk winds sharply nipping exposed flesh and frosted droplets that seemed to never melt. It was a typical evening to the natives of this frozen barren, but this was a special night for the world.

Three prestigious individuals in thickly embellished robes were trekking up the slope that looked over the wintry city below. The man in the center, and the shortest of the trio carried the lamp lighting their way and walked slightly ahead of his companions as they approached the house forefront of the tribal neighborhood.

They didn't need to knock, the door opened and revealed a burly tribesman holding a lantern of his own. "The White Lotus has honored my family by coming." He bowed his head in respect. "Thank you."

The man in center nodded, "Yes, I am Keiji, the Grand Lotus after Iroh."

"I am Paju, the Path Lotus after Jeong Jeong." Spoke the taller man at Keiji's right.

"And I am Inayat," the only woman lilted, "Wise Lotus after King Bumi."

The tribesman stepped aside for his important guests. "I am Ashanti Tonraq," he inclined his head to the left, "and she is my wife, Ashanti-Anichka Senna."

Senna, the young woman currently sweeping away in midst of a mess figuratively caused by an indoor tornado, turned to them and bowed while tugging a braid behind her ear. "Welcome to our humble home."

The three members of the White Lotus removed their hoods: Keiji was a portly man with short unkempt hair and facial hair bushing most of his face; Paju was tall and lean, bearing a three-way pointed beard and his long grayish hair pulled in a topknot; Inayat was slender and the youngest of the three, her lengthy brunette locks tamed by a tight bun.

"We have investigated many claims," Keiji stated, "both here and in the Northern Tribe. And quite apparent all have turned out to be false."

"We've heard about your latest beforehand. A Northern nobleman's daughter, correct?" Tonraq asked.

"Yes, she was no spectacular than any other spoiled brat," Keiji wrinkled his wide nose, "she couldn't even bend her native element."

Senna smiled sympathetically. "Then you should be happy to know, your search has come to an end."

Having heard that line many times, Keiji was unimpressed. "What makes you so sure your daughter is… the one?" He emphasized with a raised bushy brow.

"Now?" came a muffled little voice. The Order tried to pinpoint the source while the couple smiled.

"Now, my little braveheart!" Senna cheerfully called.

And then, with a big bam, a large round slab of the wall flew by, right in front of the Order. The trios' eyes bulged with their mouths tightly sealed. Slowly their heads turned toward the little girl no more than four. Her round face was serious and pouty, her bare feet were parted and her knees were bent, and one of her little fists pumped high above her head as she proudly proclaimed,

"I'm the Avatar! You gotta deal with it!"

And to erase any doubt, she leaped forward from the large hole of her making and proceeded to show off the truth of her proclaim. A roundhouse kick sending a small fire arc was followed by spikes of earth forcing the White Lotus back a few steps at a time. She set the Grand Lotus's robe alight and quickly conjured a nearby puddle to extinguish it. Korra continued free-styling all three elements she attained at such a tender age, in her own little world as the three heads of the Order watched with round eyes and gaping mouths, her mommy giggled merrily and her daddy watched with pride.

Shifting his attention to the Order, Tonraq's grin broadened at their awestruck. "May I introduce our daughter, Ashanti Korra: your new Avatar."

Haha, I remember that day. I had good memories for a four-year-old. It started with a proud proclaim from little lungs, and a demonstration of my prowess...

It followed with an immediate conference huddled in the dining area.

Little Korra stood between her parents, clutching each of their hands and swinging like a lemur as they talked to the 'pajama people' as she called them. Her childish disposition soon ceased when she heard sniffling. Looking at her mama she blinked in confusion seeing the woman in the brink of tears and clutching her daddy's arm so tightly, and her daddy's face turned stony and stern. She thought some outburst was about to happen, but instead, her parents slowly bowed to their three visitors.

When the three special guests in fancy robes left, the rest of the night was diverted into a sudden family reunion. It didn't take long for relatives to arrive since they lived within the same tribe, nor was it a big festivity. Only her mama's side arrived. Her daddy had set out and returned with all seventeen of them. Her mama had spare time to reheat leftovers and make pearl milk tea.

Her family was already aware of her specialness, and they all loved her just the same as anyone would their daughter, their granddaughter, their niece, and their little cousin. But the toll of her being the Avatar couldn't be ignored, the responsibility with such power. It was their moment to be a close-knit family, free of the weight of the world, one last time.

I didn't understand the random get-together that night. Or, it seemed random to me then. But with the morning that followed – my belongings packed, and those three 'pajama people' coming back with ten or so guards tailing behind them – I was forced to figure it out pretty quick.

This was the beginning of my story. My story alone.

Southern Water Tribe [13 years ago]

Korra was only four years old, and already she moved out of her parents' home without getting married. She had thought that she'd begin training that very day, but apparently, the White Lotus wasn't as prepared as they led on. And apparently, Korra had to pass a test to prove her status as the new Avatar, the test constructed by Aang's son himself, the new last airbender… Tenzin.

"Why do I have to take a test?" Korra huffed, her pudgy little arms crossed.

"Tenzin needed further convincing that you truly are the Avatar," Keiji explained.

"But I am the Avatar!" The four-year-old protested, "I can bend three elements already!"

"Indeed you can," Keiji agreed patiently, "But you must understand, the previous Avatar was Tenzin's father, so it's very important to him that he's assured that you're in fact his father's reborn legacy."

Those words settled Korra, to a degree. Her impending tantrum mellowed down to a cute little pout.

"Till he arrives, you are to study some of the histories of your past lives."

"Awww!"

Five days of waiting and boring lectures of Avatar history (Torture 101), Korra was in her new room that morning, gazing out the window – imagining the view of wide open snow plains and the ocean sparkling over the dull visage of the compound walls – when there was a knock at her door.

"May I come in?" called a voice. A voice she didn't recognize.

"… Okay, I guess."

Who entered was a pretty young woman wearing robes of different hues between orange and yellow. She had a pink lotus decorating the bun on the left side of her head, and her smile was supernaturally reassuring.

"Hello," the young woman waves daintily, "my name is Pema, I'm here to escort you to Tenzin." She gave an offering hand.

"Is he the guy who made me wait?" Korra questioned accusingly.

Pema giggled, "Afraid so,"

Jumping to her feet, Korra harrumphed. "I'll be nice not to make him wait."

"How sweet of you." Pema cooed and took the little Avatar's hand. Together they left Korra's room, Pema quietly closing the door behind them.

Water represents change, and change is something Korra is eager for.

Her big eyes were even bigger with her mouth gaping like a beached guppy at the sight. From the shore, she's witnessing Kya dancing among the water. No ice was keeping the woman afloat, but the coils of the ocean bending to her whim, the waterspout beneath her feet rising higher upon every twirl.

While Katara had taught Korra so much – she wondered why her sifu turned pouty after she nailed the water-whip at the first try – the fact of the matter was plain and simple: Katara was old, no longer in her prime, so she'll need an extra hand in training the new Avatar. That's where Kya came in, her and her sojourning family after Katara sprained her hip during the very demonstration Kya's currently performing.

"Go with the flow," Kya instructs while continuing her ethereal dance. "While taking control."

Korra didn't realize the coiling waterspout receding back into the pool. She was paying attention to her second sifu's feet, aptly trying to memorize each and every footwork. So when those feet suddenly stood on the ice, she looked up to meet Kya's eyes.

"It's difficult to do both at once. Follow the flow of the stream, while shifting its direction. Conquering waves while riding it. You just have to find that balance in between."

"Can I try?" Korra eagerly jumped to her feet.

"Of course! Practice makes perfect after all. Come here." Kya beckons and Korra immediately ran to the pool, never stopping as ice formed beneath her fast footfalls.

Try and try with all her might, Korra had trouble mastering the technique. Though Kya said it's understandably difficult, because it was strictly water, Korra was remarkably frustrated with her incapability.

Trial after trial, the four-year-old always needed a prompt rescue from Kya.

Two weeks in the making, Korra dragged Kya back to the shore. "I can do it!" she proclaimed.

"I believe you." Kya chortled.

And this time, she did it! Facing down the endless plains of water, Korra took a deep breath and stepped forward, Kya waiting on shore. In position, Korra melts the ice beneath her twirling feet, and she didn't sink. She rose higher and higher with each coil of the spout.

At the shore, Kya applauded her. "I knew you could do it!" She cheered.

Korra laughed. "I can!"

Now if she could just get down.

Northern Water Tribe [12 years ago]

Even after several decades the Northern Water Tribe was much better endowed than the South. That was five-year-old Korra's first impression as the ship sailed closer to the grand gates to the brother tribe. The day after she passed southern waterbending, she was taken to the vessel for her next lesson, not even given the chance to say goodbye to her parents.

Overlooking homesickness and missing her family dearly, she was excited to go somewhere relatively new. And from what her father told her, she had family here too! Her uncle was the chief and he had twins, so that meant she'll have two cousins – who were younger than her for once – to play with!

Her innocent smile widened with the gates opening.

Her innocent smile closed off with the compound's doors. She had family here, who lived in a palace! Why couldn't she stay in the palace too? Was there – somehow – not enough room for her?

'Do they not like me,' she thought, 'because I'm a southerner?'

The idea made Korra sad, but that sadness was soon traded for anger. 'If so then it's a stupid reason! They didn't even give me a chance!'

Korra huffed and allowed the servants to guide her to her temporary room. She wished she had the distraction to unpack, but – surprise, surprise – it was already done for her. With an attitude she kicked off her woolen boots and pounced on her new bed, just as bouncy as her last one. Looking at the ceiling's tapestry, she was fishing for a brighter side.

"Maybe they're busy; it's not easy leading an entire tribe, after all." Korra reasoned fishing or any explanation that would settle her unsettling nerves.

And she kept fishing for the rest of the day, during dinner till bedtime, vaguely hearing Keiji that her instructor would be meeting her tomorrow morning.

Korra was standing before the sacred grounds of the Spirit Oasis, staring dubiously at the coiling koi fish.

"These are the ocean and moon spirits?"

She heard a chuckle behind her. "Don't let their appearances deceive you. You relate to them in a way."

Her button nose scrunched at that statement. "How?"

"Well, you're just a little girl that hosts an ancient power in her little being. It's the same with those fishes, so much power in a small container."

The five-year-old tilted her head, her gaze still on the immortal fishes dancing the eternal circle. "I guess," she murmured, staring into the endless void of the pool.

The eternal dance of the mortalized spirits was mesmerizing, Korra couldn't look away. Then, she could swear she saw a speck of light in the abyss. Webs of white rippling, and a pair of crystals looking at her. 'Who's that?' Korra curiously quirked her head.

"KORRA!" The shout of her name pulled her from her daze, but it was too late for her to realize she had been bending forward to get a closer look at the white light. And now her balance was lost, and she fell in.

Submerged in the spiritual waters, Korra felt strangely weightless and numb. She tried paddling her way back up, but her nervous system had shut down. Scared, Korra unwittingly opened her mouth to shout for help, only gurgling bubbles and having a flood filling her lungs.

She didn't realize the white light was coming closer until it blinded her.

Earth Kingdom [7 years ago]

Korra snapped her eyes open, snarling.

It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. This wasn't what she wanted, this wasn't how she wanted to get by. This just wasn't. Period!

Earth represents substance, and substance Korra's going to need.

Because, with every slab and chunk of rock-hurling and smashing against her body, she'll need the substance to stay standing and not have her face reacquainting with the dirt. She's surrounded by thick preemptive dust clouds, so she couldn't hope to see, some particles kicked into her eyes in advance. Irritated tears trickle her dirty face and her teeth clenched, Korra vowed retribution.

"You can lie, you can cheat, and you can even abuse me. But, when you bad-mouth my family… you chose ill-fate."

And true to her spiteful words, Korra closed her eyes tightly and listened.

'Find your Inner-Toph.'

Broadening her shoulders, raising her fists, and spreading her feet, the young Avatar did what she usually hated. She waited. Waiting for the right moment to strike, waiting to prove that she won't fall for a trick a second time.

'Be silent, and listen… be silent, and listen…' The mantra repeated in her head, her eyebrows narrowed tighter and her eyelids crinkled harder.

Then, she heard it and felt it. Rapid footsteps, directly behind!

Baleful blues snapped open and she ducked, seeing the fist flying above her and shocked moss green eyes locking with her smug cerulean ones.

She raised her leg to deliver a roundhouse. "Take this!"

Fire Nation [2 years ago]

The night of the Agni Festival, fifteen-year-old Korra was embellished in red and gold silks, and her hair decorated in floral ornaments. The festive atmosphere was bewitching to the young Avatar trainee; sadly she could not go beyond the palace walls. Instead, she had no choice but to participate in the smaller celebration in the palace gardens.

Luckily her blazing excitement when she came face-to-face with the siblings as legendary as Sokka and Katara made up for it. They stand before the beautiful fountain, the epicenter being a statue of the late Fire Lady and Zuko's wife, Mai.

"Sifu Zuko, Sifu Azula, I'm honored and ready to accept your tutelage." Korra bowed Fire Nation-style.

Azula tapped her bottom lip. "Hmm, the Avatar bowing before me at last… have you the slightest idea how hard I've tried to force Aang to do the same thing?"

"Azula!" Zuko hissed, lightly thumping her shoulder before smiling down at the young Avatar. "You look especially lovely tonight Korra."

"When will you teach me lightning?" Korra asked eagerly, throwing formality out the window.

"I'm afraid the focus is firebending and redirecting lightning," Azula declared, "not conjuring lightning itself."

"Aww, come on!"

"I'm sorry, Korra," Zuko said without remorse, "but lightning is sporadic and volatile. It takes time to control."

"Not unless you're born with the gift." Azula slyly added.

"Don't start." Zuko retorted – good-naturedly, and bumped shoulders with his sister.

Korra gazed at them in awe, remembering the stories of the abysmal royal siblings torn apart and against each other by their own father. To see them now, overcoming and lighthearted, was an amazing thing. And they were her sifus.

Korra's smile brightened. She could not wait.

Fire represents power, and power Korra has.

The fifteen-year-old had shown great promise and greater potential in her abilities to tame the flames. Even whenever under Azula's razor wing, she didn't yield to the heat – rather she took advantage and reflect the blaze right back. It didn't always hit its mark, and many times over she's coerced to her knees…

But, taken how Azula actually looked impressed with her progress, pushed Korra back up to surge forward.

After spending her six months grasping the basics and learning Fire Nation history, Zuko and Azula agreed that it was time she learned the true essence of firebending. With one of Zuko's granddaughters, she traveled to the ancient city of the Sun Warriors, to meet the ancient surviving dragons Ran and Shaw.

"What do you think they're like, Xia?" The rambunctious Avatar asked her partner. They were climbing the steps of an old pyramid with the sun burning high above their heads.

The older girl, Xia, just shrugged. "I don't know, Grandfather said it was an experience he'll forever treasure the most – well, next to marrying Grandmother." She chuckled, her old gold eyes shining.

"Welcome." Came a voice at the peak of the pyramid. Korra and Xia averted their attention to the broadly tall woman of the ancient tribe. "I am the chief, Elanor."

The duo exchanged greetings with the chief before they were led to the chamber Aang and Zuko came across long ago. Luckily for Korra and Xia, they arrived in time for the solstice to open the doors to the statues of the sacred forms of the Dancing Dragon. Like her past life and her grandfather, the girls learned the forms on the first try – but they heeded Zuko's warning to not touch the "golden egg".

Nearing sunset, Elanor guided Korra and Xia to receive a small piece of the eternal flame, then they went to the place where Ran and Shaw gave judgment.

"Remember, Ran and Shaw will burn you to cinder if they deem you unworthy," Elanor warned.

"Yeah, yeah, we got it." Korra retorted dismissively, "Let's go prove our worth, Xia." She gestured forward.

"My life is in their hands." Xia deadpanned.

They trekked up the steep stairwell in perfect sync, backs straight, chests out, and heads held high. They were confident and ambitious in spite of the twinge of fear pinching their consciences. Bravery meant conquering fear, and that was what they're doing.

Much sooner than later, they reached the bridge that connected the twin mounts housing the ancient dragons. They presented their eternal flame, Korra facing right, and Xia facing left. Ran and Shaw emerged swiftly, the gust of their presence extinguishing the flames in the girls' palms. The duo whips their heads skyward, awestruck at the majesties roaring in the sunglow.

"When grandfather said this was beyond words, he wasn't joking." Xia breathed.

Then a roguish grin curled the Avatar's face, "You ready?"

Xia smirked. "I was born ready."

They got into position and the dragons followed their formations the dragon with sapphire scales following Korra, and the dragon with crimson scales following Xia. The dragons dipped and rose in time with their respective supplicants, their sinuous bodies winding over and under the bridge.

It ended when Korra and Xia's fists connected, and the dragons settled upon the supports of the bridge, their colossal eyes gazing the tiny beings before them. The red one gazed at Korra and the blue one at Xia. Then they gave a mighty roar shaking the earth, loose rocks tumbling, and vibrating the girls' bodies; Korra and Xia realized it was judgment time.

Before they could brace themselves, Ran and Shaw breathed fire toward them. It clashed, surrounding the girls in a rainbow of dancing flames.

Xia gasped at the beauty of her native element.

Korra was speechless, able to do nothing, except stare at the truth behind firebending. The truth that had been lost and rediscovered a hundred years later was reflecting in her irises, and she knew. She knew she came to enlightenment, and it felt amazing.

She hoped to be this amazing someday.

Present day—Fire Nation Palace

An arch of colorful flames burst from Korra's fist, forcing Zuko and Azula backward. Once it dissipates, Azula shoots a fast blue fireball.

To retaliate, Korra sends a blazing slash, effectively dispelling the cobalt orb. She hears the whizz of slender projectiles coming from her left and jumps, the darts peppering the ground she once stood upon. Somersaulting back in her stance, she grins at the culprit. "Seriously Ryuhito, I thought your mother taught you better than that."

Ryuhito smirked. "She did."

Perplexed, Korra's caught off-guard when she hears sizzling, and at her feet are "Flash bombs!?" She barely covers her eyes in time of the over-bright flash, even then her vision is a bit distorted and seeing spots.

"Gotcha!"

Korra dips backward in the last minute, planting her hands she conjuring a fire arc from her foot, forcing back her intended assailant. She flips into a crouch. "No point of a sneak attack if you yell, Qi-Qi."

"No point acting smug when you're surrounded, Ko-Ko." The braided haired woman sings.

Indeed Korra is surrounded, by a majority of royal blood. "The Ryuuza clan against one, measly Avatar." Korra slowly rises to her feet, "Oh, what am I to do?" Hands clasp in front of her heart as she peers dramatically to the heavens. As if she received an answer from the divine, her eyes return to her opponents with a fiendish smile. "Take them all down." She surges forward. "Bring it!"

It has been brought since sunrise and as long as daytime lasted. Korra was pushed beyond the limit as she dealt with Zuko and Azula, their children, and some of their grandchildren. She canceled and avoided flames, she evaded long-range weapons, and she clashed at swords with her own. Her stamina is an entity of its own, but as the Agni Kai surged on, it began to wane and Korra's slowly getting tired. Brought to a corner at sunset, Korra brought out her trump card started knocking out her opponents with direct hits, relying solely on willpower and adrenaline.

It left her with Azula and Zuko left, the last of sunlight is dying away and the siblings use it as the final boost. They attack as one, connecting their palms and fisted their free hands to summon a tremendous blast of spiraling sapphire/amber flames at the winded Avatar.

With rapid breaths to regain her grounds, Korra puts her hands out, palms open, to meet the bicolored blaze, forcing the blues and yellows to separate. In a great strain she forces one foot forward, and the next one after, and she does it again and again, attaining velocity as her trudge evolves full sprint.

Zuko and Azula push their limit with their last-ditch effort when it suddenly vanquishes with the Avatar right in front of them. They couldn't act fast enough when Korra has a fist thrust against the center of their chests, and a final fire burst propels them back, forcing them unconscious when they collide into pillars and fall to the ground in heaps.

Gasps for air shakes her body, Korra pushes herself to stand tall before the fire sages, and the unconscious forms of the Ryuuza family around her. Grinning weakly, she raises a quivering fist in victory.

"I win." She rasps, a job well done. Feeling privileged to join the rest in the lulling dark realms, and falls forward. Her smile staying in place.

When she wakes up, it's to slobbering kisses. "Ugh!" She pushes against fur, "Stop it, Naga!" She sputters, trying but failing to counter the sudden attack.

"Good, you're awake."

Korra sits up in a snap. "Sifu Zuko!"

The former Fire Lord smiles. "Congratulations Korra, you passed your firebending test."

"I passed…" she utters breathlessly, then says it with more energy, "I passed! Whoo!" she falls back into the mountains of pillows.

"There's a celebratory feast preparing for you, and you'll leave early tomorrow morning." Zuko turns to leave.

"Already?" Korra pushes herself upright with the support of her arms. "How long was I out?"

"All last night and most of today."

"How come you're up and about?" She whines.

"A native-born firebender rises with the sun regardless." Zuko answers sagely, "But if it makes you feel better, it took all day for us to recuperate, you pack quite a wallop."

"Don't expect any less," Korra says confidently.

"I would never, now get ready."

"Yes sir, sifu sir!"

The celebratory feast is the best farewell party Korra ever partaken. She's dressed in semi-formal, but comfortable fire nation apparel, her hair still styled in her favorite wolf tail in gold and red bangles. She's laughing and chattering with Xia when something tingles her senses.

Almost in slow motion, she feels more than she sees a thin, almost invisible object bolt before her eyes, and without warning she bends the water from the nearest flower vase and freezes the projectile, weighing it down to fall on the table. The servants gasp while the Ryuuza family simply gaze unfazed at the customized dart that was aimed at the current Fire Lord at the head of the long table: Miyako.

"Thank you, Korra." She says airily, "But it wasn't necessary." Under the table, her fingers are sparking tiny crinkles of lightning.

"Either way." Korra shoots a water javelin where the assassin perches behind a pillar on one of the high rafters of the ceiling, forcing him to the ground. But she toys with him, instead of freezing him to the floor, she lets him catch his bearings and make a sloppy escape out the grand doors.

"Be right back," Korra cheeks before dashing off.

Once she left, Zuko says idly. "She's so much like you, Azula."

Azula sighs proudly. "I taught her well."

The failed assassin runs into the gardens, intending to climb over the stone barricade. He makes it to the stone wall, but as he jumps to grab the ledge, his sleeves are pinned into the wall, along with the looseness of his pants. Whimpering, he strains his neck over his shoulders.

Korra saunters from behind Mai's memorial fountain, hands confidently on her hips. "I don't know what you were thinking," she lilts, "but I know you were in way over your head." She peers up at the statue of the late Fire Lady, "You agree?"

Mai's immortalized face shines in the firelights of the lanterns floating around her.

By morning, the third-rate assassin had long since been apprehended and taken away by one of Zuko's grandchildren, who inherited the title Warden of the Boiling Rock. Meanwhile, Korra is packed, Naga is secured in the stable of the airship, and she's ready to go.

"It was great having you here, Korra." Zuko sincerely states.

"It was great being here," Korra replies, glomping the old man in a back-cracking hug.

"Okay," he rasps, making her laugh as she sets him down and turn to Azula.

The old princess smirks. "Don't even think about it."

"Alright." Korra shrugs, raising a hand.

Azula accepts it to shake, only to be dragged into the same lung-collapsing embrace. "Kor… ra…!" she gasps.

"I'll just do it!" Korra guffaws, dashing up the gangplank the second Azula's free, preventing the chance of being fried alive by the fearsome firebender. "Bye!" She waves as the panel closes.

"That girl, I swear!" Azula exclaims, but the smile ruins her fallacious anger.

"She is one of a kind." Zuko agrees with a smile of his own.

The siblings watch the airship go airborne into the clouds, waving goodbye to the Avatar who enthusiastically returns in kind from the window.

Even in aerial transportation, it will be a long ride home.

Southern Water Tribe

Korra's return home is nothing spectacular, the airship landed by the compound and she was immediately escorted within its walls. But the walk is slow enough for Korra to gaze left, the direction where her family resided, and her face slightly somber at the twinge of longing stinging her heart. After she's closed in, the sentries send her directly to the main hall to the central chamber where the head lotuses await.

Quietly she sits in her designated seat and waits for her guardians to speak.

"Lord Zuko sent a messenger hawk, you have completed firebending," Keiji speaks without greeting or preamble.

Korra says nothing, feeling no need to confirm the obvious.

"As you know, Tenzin is scheduled to arrive in two days time."

Seeing this is her cue to leave, Korra rises from her seat with every intention to walk out despite protest.

But he stressed "However…" making her stop mid-step. "Due to crucial matters currently happening within Republic City, Tenzin is to remain there until further notice—"

"Wait, what?" She abruptly faces the White Lotus Heads, her shoulders stiff and her hands clenched, her eyes daring them to repeat the bad news.

Keiji pinches the bridge of his nose, and seeing her leader under pressure, Inayat takes over. "We have received a message from Tenzin a few days ago. Apparently, his duties as councilman need his attention, therefore he's unable to take you to the Air Temples to effectively teach you."

Korra gaps, a wedge of denial gripping her. "But – no! Tenzin—he's supposed to—! I'm ready to begin airbending! The world… the world needs me to." She ends on a sullen note.

In spite of their constant disputes both past and present, Keiji exhales, unable to stop feeling a pint of sympathy for the ambitious young woman. "I am sorry, Korra." He says sincerely.

She hears his apology, even feels it's genuine. But she does not respond, she is too taken aback, caught off-guard, utterly speechless.

Before the OWL's eyes, Korra carefully devoid her facial expression of any outward emotion, but they could feel the gale of a storm from within her, especially through the vortexes of her baleful blue eyes. Without speaking another word, the young Avatar turns her back from her prison wardens and treks away like a seasoned soldier.

The element one always feels but seldom see. Air.

Air represents freedom and freedom… Korra yearns to know the feeling.

She had learned long ago that she would be taken to the temples of all four encompassed directions; studying its culture, learning its history, achieve airbending, but most important, overcome the walls between her and the Avatar spiritual connections. And to understand freedom.

The temples meant no compounds, untouched by the OWL's rules and regulations. Yes, there'll still be White Lotus sentries watching her, but they would be mountains away from the vicinity. Nevertheless, she'll be free. Free to do what she wants to do, free to see what she wants to see, free to just be her, not just the Avatar. But who is she, who is Korra? Nobody could answer, not even Korra herself.

And she won't know the answer. For spirits only knows how long.

For the rest of the morning, Korra spent it all within the grand gymnasium. The first hour she was practicing her swordsmanship. The next hour was marksmanship and she hadn't missed a target, definitely not her blind spots. Now she's throwing projectiles all over the place – knives, darts, needles, and tribal axes littered and hacked, leaving no zone unscathed – and she does it all, blindfolded. She decapitated and disfigured all the training dummies, so she makeshifts ice and snow replacements.

Overhead, Paju, Inayat and Keiji are watching their charge vent ferociously through the windows of the observation room overhead.

"Refurbishing will be hefty," Inayat comments worriedly.

"Indeed." Paju agrees, the creases between his brows thickening when another blade embeds a carved target and snaps from its bolster.

Keiji huffs. "She'll have to learn sooner or later that things can't always go her way."

In an instant, a dagger's tip pierces the window, a few inches from the point of Keiji's nose.

Paju jerks away from the windows.

Inayat slaps a hand over her heart with a shout of "Oh my Spirits!"

Keiji just inhales and exhales through his nose.

It's now seven past noon and the OWL heads are in the humble dining room for lunch, interiorly decorated a typical water tribe design – feeble attempt to help Korra feel right at home – waiting for the Avatar trainee who's purposefully seven minutes late.

"Where is she?" Inayat impatiently inquires.

Keiji grumbles an answer. "Last time I've checked, she's been in the showers for forty minutes straight after vandalizing the gymnasium."

"Her performance perfectly replicated a war-torn battlefield for the lotus servants to clean up." Paju comments.

Three more minutes and Korra enters the private dining, seemingly poised and collected; only the maelstrom in her eyes giving away her rage. One firebending servant on standby – keeping Korra's lunch warm – sets down her meal as she sits, and she is considerate enough to nod her thanks. Grabbing her utensils, she begins to eat, vaguely mindful of her three babysitters tensely watching her every move.

Time ticks unhindered by progressive tension and light clangs of food utensils. When one-third remains of her food, Korra finally sets down her ware and grabs her cup for continuous gulps of her lychee juice till it's empty, an unladylike belch being the first noise, and Inayat cringes in disgust.

Korra leans back on her hands. "So," she begins casually, "what's so important Tenzin had to tend with that the final stage of me becoming fully realized had to be delayed indefinitely?"

Keiji breathes out his nose for the nth time. He's going to have to spend most of the night meditating after this. "Tenzin has the responsibility in Republic City as a member of the City Council. The situation has grown most unstable."

"But he also has the responsibility to me as my predetermined mentor. If it were up to me I'd gladly find another airbending master while he does his councilman business, but alas being an endangered element has its setbacks." She huffs at a loose strand of her hair. "So I'm stuck with him."

"Korra," Paju begins, "If there was another alternative—"

"There is." Korra cuts in while sitting up, "If Tenzin can't take me to see the Temples, then why not I go to Republic City? He handles his business and when he has time, he'll show me the ropes. And if not him, I'm sure Jinora can make an acceptable substitute – she's his protégé after all. It's perfect!" She pumps her fists in childish delight, loving this plan a lot: having never seen the United Republic of Nations, this opportunity is made for her.

"Absolutely not!" Of course, Keiji is here to ruin it. "The city is dangerous. Avatar Aang tasked us to ensure your safety as you learn the elements!"

She arcs a fine brow at his reasoning. "Yeah, and within that span, I nearly drowned in the Spirit Oasis, was left at the mercy of a demented earthbending mentor gung ho on 'breaking me', and – oh yeah – I was a helpless mannequin for a Fire Nation tailor!"

"The Agni Festival is an important festivity and you had to look your best for your first night in the Capital City!" The Order Head retorts.

"I'm the Avatar!" She bangs her fist on the table, causing a tremor around the room. "You can't monitor everything I do forever! I'm certain Aang never meant for you to breathe down my neck almost every second of my life! One way or another you OWL heads will have to let me go so I can do what I was destined to do. The world doesn't even know my face!" She jabs a finger to said face.

"Korra," Inayat intervenes, "I understand that you're upset—"

"Understatement of the millennium." She sneers.

The older woman takes a meditative breath. "But it's not the right time for you."

Korra suddenly stops whatever else she had to say, and deathly silence looms. Her face is neutral as she stares down the three, she coolly rises to her feet with inhuman equilibrium, and then—

CRASH!

She kicks the table to the wall, snapping it in splintery half and the remainder of lunch in ruins.

"Whatever." She mutters as she walks to the door next to the mess.

The trio exhales at the room-shaking slam, then Keiji murmurs, "That's the sixty-seventh table she's broken."

Right after that vain attempt for a compromise, Korra beelines for the stables to her best friend and is greeted with a slobbery kiss to the face.

She laughs, "It hasn't been long, Naga," nevertheless she scratches her companion's head. "But I missed you, too."

Moments later, Korra is upon Naga's back, leading her companion to the doors of the thick walls of the huge, richly decorated gate surrounding the compound. Raising her head skywards, Korra hollers, "Hey, Howl!"

The White Lotus sentry known as Howl peers down from his post in the guard tower.

"I'm taking Naga out for a walk!" She pats said polar bear dog.

He looks askance, having a history of struggles to keep the young Avatar in line.

Seeing his reluctance, Korra crosses her arms and irritably sighs. "We're just going to our ledge."

Howl quirks an eyebrow then shrugs before disappearing into the tower.

Seconds after, the sun rays pierce through the growing crack of the opening gateway, and in spite of how the day went, Korra smiles at the open space ahead. When the opening is wide enough, Korra commands, "Go girl!" and off Naga goes.

The duo distanced themselves from the place Korra always called a prison, though they're well aware of the sentries watching atop the mountain nearby. But Korra pretends it's just her and Naga, riding away on the frosty plains, following her path through her will alone.

Adrenaline surging her veins, Korra shouts over the wind. "Faster, Naga!" her friend picks up the speed, "Atta girl! Go! Go! Go!"

The Avatar revels these ephemeral moments, where she feels invincible, going somewhere nobody could follow.

Too soon they reach their self-claimed ledge. It's a perfect spot to bask and think, able to see the edges of the ocean straight ahead, and through the peripheral view of her right eye, Korra could see the town, where her family dwells without her.

Contemplation is what Korra needs, so once they reach the peak, she stays perched atop of her best friend with arms crossed over her knees, and Naga lying down in the snow. The adrenaline rush quickly fades, and the weight of the disheartening hours leading her here dampens her brief euphoria.

Sensing the sadness gripping her master, Naga whimpers softly.

For the rest of daylight, Korra stays at the cliff with her animal guide, pointedly ignoring the sentry having arrived below the slope moments after they settled.

She could see it, her destiny far off, past the horizon before her eyes.

Suddenly, she hears the squawking chorus. Together with Naga, they raise their heads, seeing a flock of winter seagulls soaring by.

"Lucky," the Avatar murmurs, "they can go wherever and whenever they want…" Korra and Naga visually follow the frost-feathered birds blending with the clouds. Overwhelmed by liberating display, Korra's eyes downcast.

But soon enough, her fingers clench her biceps, and her eyes rise once more, hardening with serious determination.

The sun sets and the eventides emerge.

"I believe Korra should go to Republic City," Katara claims as she sits before the White Lotus in the central chambers, discussing possibilities of Korra's future.

"The girl is reckless and stubborn, none of us were able to put a leash on her." Keiji argues, "Republic City wouldn't stand a chance."

"She's not an animal," Katara counters vehemently, "She's a young, ambitious woman we've kept caged her entire life."

Keiji practically fumes at the ears. "You're the widow of Avatar Aang! You know it was his dying wish that we keep the next Avatar safe!"

"But I know he didn't mean this," Katara says earnestly.

"Katara, she has to wait until Tenzin's free to accept her," Inayat chimes in. "We'll have her work on Avatar spiritual connections."

Paju scoffs. "We all have tried to work with her spirituality, all in vain." He leans forward, resting one arm on the table. "Besides, none of us are the Avatar. We can't hope to tell her how to be one."

"Yet you've indoctrinated your image of what an Avatar should be." Shaking her head, Katara calmly stands from her seat. "It's been thirteen years, we have done all we can to teach her and she's succeeded in flying colors."

While the elder woman's words are insightful, the Grand Lotus is aware of what Katara's leading at. "Avatar Korra cannot leave our surveillance until she has become a fully realized Avatar. You all have seen the horrors of war. You know what could happen to her when that tide inevitably rises again." He pleads, eyes misty by survivor's guilt.

His two colleagues bow their heads, both had seen what a war-torn world could hold. Katara stiffens, knowing best the struggles Korra would have to face, but at the moment times are peaceful, and the Avatar has grown arrogant, unafraid. A pang of guilt infects her heart, knowing she's part of the fault. Korra has grown up believing she's the sole solution to all issues and crisis, she always won and never understood what came with loss, and she fought and fought as if she had nothing to lose when she has so much.

"At least let her go visit her family tonight," Katara requests, "She hasn't seen them in years, so let her be with them before she starts."

Keiji stands up, resigned. "Very well, I'll send a couple of sentries to escort her there and back. After that, Korra will remain here to practice her spiritual connection indefinitely. When Tenzin's ready, he'll inform us. Meeting adjourned."

With that, the White Lotus Heads exit and went their separate ways for the time being. Katara remains in the room, gazing aimlessly before her. Still unmoving from her place since she stood, the weary widow breathes in and out slowly, "Come out, Korra." Her eyes never stray.

Korra steps out from her hiding spot behind thick velvet blue curtains "Master Katara." She bows her head in shame, though her face is only slightly contrite.

"Korra…" Katara beams a maternal smile at her apprentice, and at last, she moves, walking the long aisle of the lengthy table to the young girl. "Walk with me." She gestures, not missing a beat, and Korra gracefully follows beside her. They leave opposite of the OWL heads.

They silently take steady steps down the hall, having no true place to go, no destination in mind. Katara often glances at the Korra, her old eyes looking over the girl. Korra has grown strong, physically and mentally. Her bold arms and quick wits are a testament to everything she's observed and took to heart. Ashanti Korra has indeed grown into a beautiful, capable young woman before her eyes.

"Did you really mean what you said?" Korra speaks up, timidly, her eyes on her boots. "That I should find my own path?" She heard the hesitance in the OWL's voices, none are ready to let her go on her own. While touched, Korra's more irritated – she could take care of herself, she didn't train her body and her mind just to stay sheltered spirits know how long.

Katara hums. "I did."

Finding strength in her master's confidence, Korra looks up with resolve. "Thank you, Katara. I know for sure what I have to do."

Katara pauses and watches Korra continue walking forward, never stopping, never looking back. That's how the old waterbending master knows; Korra's evolving from her shelters to the unknown.

"Oh, Aang…" Katara wistfully whispers as Korra turns a corner from her rippling vision. "Watch over and guide her."

In a toasty place in midst of frosty plains, is the home of the Ashanti family. Right now inside, Senna is cooking fish for dinner, and simultaneously boiling soup with her waterbending, with a baby slung to her back. Three little boys are chasing each other around the table while a young girl is seated on one of the chairs, stitching an arm to her ragdoll. Tonraq is cross-legged on the floor as he scrapes a welding stone on the dulled blade of his ax.

This is the picture of a typical water tribe family: minus one.

The familial atmosphere is disturbed by a clamoring knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" Senna furrows her eyebrows.

"Hang on." Tonraq stands and puts his weapon and welding stone on a surface out of reach from the boys. Making to the door in two strides, he opens it… and he's colored astounded when his eldest child forces her way in, slams the door shut and sharply latches the lock into place. "Korra?"

"Came here ahead of the sentries, didn't want to deal with their instructions!" Said Avatar hastily explains.

"Korra?" Hastily moving the skillet from the hot eye of the stove, Senna rushes beside her husband. Indeed, their firstborn, Ashanti Korra, has come for a visit unannounced.

Korra smiles timidly and waves awkwardly to her parents. "Hi Mom, Dad."

"Oh, Braveheart!" Senna pushes forward and gathers her little girl – now slightly taller than her – in her arms. "What a wonderful surprise!"

Tonraq wraps his muscular arms around them.

As she finds blissful warmth in her parents' embrace, Korra is overwhelmed to see the new face that is her baby sister snuggled against their mother's back. Freeing an arm, she gently strokes her sister's soft pudgy cheek. "Hi Kanami," she utters above a whisper, almost choked by emotion, "it's so nice to finally meet you in person."

"KOWEE!" The chorus of the little trio. Tonraq and Senna release Korra in time for her to be pounced to the ground.

But she's not angry, she laughs. "Aatu, Randii, Kenyon!" hoisting them in her arm, she spins them around and around, causing the triplets' peal of joy. Korra's eye catches the girl staring at her from the table and slows down to a stop despite the boys' pleas for more. "Later, wolf pack." She assures before giving the younger girl her full attention. "Hey, Nilak."

Nilak gets up and walks to stand before her older sister kneeling to meet her eyes, then hesitantly snuggles into Korra's arms. "Hi, Korra." She says softly.

The sisters bask in each other's presence for a tender moment. Korra looks over Nilak's head at their parents. "When's dinner starting?"

"Oh!" Senna jumps, suddenly remembering the meal she was preparing beforehand. "In a few minutes."

"Sounds perfect." Korra releases her little sister and stands to face their mother and father. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Outside the simple igloo abode, the two White Lotus sentries, one being Howl, waits mounted on their camel yaks for Korra to finish having family dinner. Naga snoozes by the front door.

"How long is she going to take?" The other sentry complains.

"Be reasonable," Howl says, "she hasn't been home in a long time."

"I'd have sympathy if she hadn't bend snow piles on us to get a head start." The man grumbles.

"Point taken." Howl relents. Suddenly there's a rumble in the snow and Howl inclines behind them. "What—"

"RAWR!" He had no chance to complete his question as an abominable snow creature sprouts over their heads with icy claws and fangs.

The other man screams high-pitched, and the poor animals are scared into bucking their riders off their backs and galloping to safety.

Sputtering snow out his mouth, Howl rushes to stand, grabbing his partner's arm on the way up. Unexpectedly their bodies are instantly encased in ice, all the way up to their shoulders.

"H-Hey!" The other sentry shouts.

"Like that, father?" Nilak eagerly asks behind the men she trapped.

"Perfect, Nilak." Tonraq stands before them, grinning wide. "Sorry fellas."

"To-Tonraq?" Howl stammers, "What's going—" Suddenly a strange haze film over his senses, numbing him. "Go… going…" His head slumps forward alongside his fellow sentry.

Senna bends the sleeping mist back into her vial. "That should buy you some time, sweetie." She addresses her daughter.

Korra had taken advantage of the distraction to secure the necessities her family helped her pack onto Naga's saddle. "Thanks, Mom." She says after making final adjustments.

The abominable snow creature drops like a cloak to reveal the triplets standing on each other's shoulders. "Good luck, Kowee!" They chorus.

"Thanks, guys!" Korra's hoisted into her father's arms.

"Take care." He says near her ear.

"I will," Korra promises and is set down only for her mother to lock her in another parental embrace.

"Please be careful." Senna pleads.

"I'll try." Korra cheeks, making her mother chuckles.

"My little Braveheart." Pulling away, mother touches her daughter's cheek, stroking tenderly, looking up at the girl she birthed but barely raised with rheumy eyes. "Don't forget to write."

"No way," Korra vows, shifting her fingers through the tufts of her baby sister's head. "Grow well, Kanami." The baby girl coos at her with a toothless smile. When Senna has the strength to let her go, she turns and hollers, "Give me some love, siblings!" Her little sister and brothers rush into her arms. "Be good now." She gently commands.

"Yeah!" the boys cheer.

"Okay." Nilak nods. "Write to me, too."

Korra smiles. "I will." She lets them go with a heavy heart, but she refuses to cry. She has to stay strong, for the sake of the world… for the sake of her family. With a playful salute to them, she backs away and swiftly mounts upon Naga. "Let's go, girl!"

The duo gallops off.

Senna snuggles into Tonraq's sturdy form, her tears staining her cheeks as she watches her eldest child leave her once more. "Will, I ever get used to seeing her go?"

"No." Tonraq holds her and his children close, his own eyes glistening. "None of us will. She may be the Avatar, but she will always be family to us first." And they stand together, wanting to keep their daughter and sister etched in their memories as she disappears from their sight, not knowing the next time they'll see her again.

Far ahead, Korra's eyes are firm and locked ahead, with salty droplets of her barricaded sorrow trailing behind her.

She is surrounded… by the wind. A spherical shield of pure wind. And she was rising, rising high, going higher.

She felt powerful. Immortal.

Invincible.

Then something strikes the dead center of her back. It isn't running her through, so she knew it is not a blade. It's crackling, and the stench of burnt flesh took siege of her nostrils.

And then the brightness of her vision dies, and she is falling, and falling, and falling…

Cerulean orbs snap open with a sharp intake of her breath. Leaning motionless against Naga, Korra works to get her breathing under control again. They had snuck aboard a cargo ship scheduled for Republic City, settling in the tonnage below deck. Slowly, she raises a hand to wipe away the sweat on her forehead and steadily leans forward.

"Those dreams are back…" She murmurs into nothingness. "Why now?"

That annoying tingle on her back returned as well.

Author's Note: Here it is! At long last - the first installment of Avatar: Legend of the Woman Warrior! Actually, it was first uploaded last year in December in DeviantART, under my deviant name ReyReyReShawn.

Anyways, this is my rendition - and PERSONAL perspective - how Korra's introduction should've been; a montage of her training around the world instead of it all cramped in one place (that I feel stagnated her greatly). It took a lot of time and rewriting, but I feel ultimately satisfied with the final product. Since I have no beta reader, I appreciate if anybody finds the time to point out any errors and I'll tackle it when I have the time.

No telling when I'll update the next episode, especially when I have other fanfic ideas, and most importantly, my original story to tinker with. Only time will tell, but I will upload sometime this year, preferably more than once.

And finally, special thanks to nayruu, aka author of Legend of Korra: Jingshen for letting me use the story for inspiration for my own - especially Katara's talk with the OWL heads. Also thanks to fellow deviant PencilPaperPassion for OC Nilak - Korra's little sister, who's starting off as a kid even though her picture is of her as a teenager. Other deviant OCs will make an appearance, and I'll give credit to where credit is due.

P.S. Yes, this story is pro-MAKORRA, ergo only constructive criticism is welcome. Anybody uselessly firebending narrow-minded flames will be put out via spambending.