President Raiko took the stage and cleared his throat, he reached into his suit jacket and pulled his speech out, laying it down on the podium. "My fellow citizens, four months ago this parcel of land was nothing but a barren field on the outskirts of Republic City. Four months ago, an army laid waste to our city, destroying ninety percent of its infrastructure. Kuvira and Her army brought with them a weapon the likes of which the world had never seen. The weapon was capable of leveling whole buildings and destroying whole city blocks, with such assured destruction We were left with no option but surrender. Thanks to the efforts of many, We were to surrender an empty city, thanks to those efforts most of us escaped the wrath and destruction that awaited. When all seemed lost, when our defeat was certain, a group of Republic City citizens did not accept defeat. They would not bow to a crazed dictator, even in the face of overwhelming odds. They decided to not give in without a fight. They decided to put their own lives on the line in the defense of Our home and Our lives. Avatar Korra, Lieutenant detective Mako, his brother Bolin, Hiroshi and Asami Sato, Master Tenzin and his Air Nomads, Chief Lin Beifong, and her sister Sue Beifong. As well Mr. and Mrs. Varrick, and a host of dedicated others protected Us and Our city. We owe them all a debt that we cannot hope to repay." President Raiko gestured to his left where the aforementioned all sat together on stage. "While they all sustained injuries, one member of this group paid the ultimate price." President Raiko paused for effect. "Hiroshi Sato, laid down his life so that our group of heros could take down Kuvira and her super weapon. Without his sacrifice, all would have been lost. It is with His memory that we dedicate the beginning of the New Republic City. Hiroshi Square!" President Raiko raised his hand and gestured to the giant statue as the curtain hiding it dropped. Thunderous applause followed as the crowd gazed upon the statue of Hiroshi Sato for the first time.
Korra reluctantly let go of Asami's hand as her girlfriend left her seat and headed towards the podium. She wish she had Asami's natural gift of public speaking, she had help Asami prepare the speech, but would never be able to deliver it herself. She watched as Asami laid her own speech on top of the President's on the podium. She could see Asami's grief, this was as close to a eulogy that Asami was going to be able to give Her father. Korra turned her head and surveyed the crowd, she knew that the crowd had been screened at the entrances of the park. Usually She'd frown on such intensive security but She knew that it was necessary.
"My father…" Asami began.
Korra could see a tear roll down Asami's cheek, she looked at the distant skyscrapers lining the square hoping Asami could continue. Korra glared at the top of the Southern Water Tribe cultural center. She could swear a person was on the balcony. The figure's arms waved. Her heart exploded with adrenaline, before she could think she was sprinting across the stage. She knew bending when she saw it. She leapt towards Asami. Korra turned in mid air, her adrenaline made it seem like slow motion. She could just make out the blur of metal rocketing towards Asami. Her shoulder connected with Asami shoving her to the right and putting Korra in the path of the projectile. She hit the stage hard. Korra gasped for air, her lungs felt like they were flooding. Her vision blurred. She tried to breathe but she could only choke. Her arms spasmed, her mind barely registering the warm sticky pool of blood around her. Someone was yelling her name. Why am I so sleepy? Korra's thoughts pierced her panic. I'm so tired...why am I so tired?...I can't...I...I need to rest. Korra's eyes slowly drooped shut.