Author Notes: Well I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday! This chapter begins with Korra. I actually had to split this chapter because it was turning out longer than I thought it would be. I hope you enjoy the read.
*Italics is what is happening in a dream*
Again I do not own the Legend of Korra or any of the characters.
EM ;)
CH 2 "What Am I?"
*Huff Huff*
I'm running through the snow as if my life depends on it. I can feel the cold begin to dig deeper and deeper into my clothes.
Even though it already feels as if knives are piercing them I try to push my legs a little faster and continue running as I fight through the pain and force my lungs to continue taking sharp breaths of the ice cold air.
"I'm almost there."
That one whisper is the only thing that keeps me fighting and my body moving when it shouldn't.
As my small home finally comes into view all I can do is beg the sun to stay up a little longer; to allow me to make it inside before it sets, but it might be close if it wasn't already too late.
I have always had a great relationship with my parents, so I never kept any secrets from them, well, I never needed to. Until one day I found myself in a situation that changed everything, and at the time I didn't even understand what was happening myself.
It all started on my fifth birthday a few weeks ago. I was sitting at the table enjoying my new birthday present, Naga, a polar bear dog my father had carved out of wood for me. My mother had already warned me not to play too recklessly on the kitchen table because I might make a mess, but Naga was on a big adventure how could I play quietly and neatly?
So as Naga made her to the top of the imaginary mountain my elbow accidently hit the cup of water next to me.
I watched in slow motion as the cup begins to tip over the table's edge, and my hands instinctively darted over to catch it, but it was too late. The water was already on its way to the floor and that's when it happened.
The water had stopped midair, but as quickly as it did, it continues to fall and spill onto the floor.
It was so fast that it took my mind a few moments to process what had happened.
By that time, my mother had already reentered the kitchen and was scowling me for disobeying, but that one second changed my life.
Living with the curiosity of trying to comprehend what had happened overwhelmed me. A few weeks had passed and I finally decided I needed to try to replicate the phenomena, but trying to spill water on my mother's floor would definitely not be a good idea. She already threatened to take Naga away and I can't sleep without Naga.
So my plan was simple. Go to the one place where there is always water and where no one would be watching too closely.
The coast.
I packed Naga and some seal jerky into my nap sack and headed out on an adventure to the coast to try to replicate what had happened in the kitchen.
After taking the long trek through the snow I finally arrived at the shore. Hours and hours went by and nothing seemed to happen.
I was almost ready to give up and take the long walk home as I plopped myself down onto the wet sand completely disheartened when suddenly the tide began to come in.
I lift my eyes to see a wave heading straight towards me. It was big enough that I knew I would be soaked, but as I raised my hands to cover my face from the impact of the icy water, it never came.
I open my eyes to see the water had evaded me completely and watched as it receded all around me, never touching me.
I notice that my arms were still raised and as I lower them the small amount of water still returning to the sea finally reaches me.
I knew the trick only happened on instinct, but something inside me told me that I had the ability to control the water around me.
With the time I had still left before my curfew, I began practicing using my arms to move with the waves and slowly my arms turned into my whole body beginning to move fluidly like the movements of the ocean in front me.
I couldn't help but want to learn more, but when I looked towards the setting sun I realized I had overdone it.
I was going to miss my curfew and if I wasn't home before sunset I would be in big trouble and not with mom, but with dad...
I burst through the front door as the sun was still peeking over the horizon, but as I was trying to catch my breath I felt a shadow cast over me.
I can feel my body cringe under the glare and I couldn't help, but shut my eyes tight.
"Th...th... the sun's still out."
I didn't want to look up to meet the strong gaze burning into me, but after the long silence I couldn't help but open one eye to see my father standing over me with a firm look on his face.
My father was a strong brave warrior who was also the defender of our village. Who wouldn't be intimidated by him?
"What were you doing out so late and where?"
His voice was thick and stern and by no means raised or angry, but it still causes my body to flinch at the tone.
"Me and Naga went on an adventure to the coast to watch the waves. I'm sorry I lost track of time, Daddy."
I looked up and gave him the best big-eyed puppy dog look I could make and I had even gone as far as using my strongest weapon. He couldn't resist when I used "Daddy."
I can hear the rumble in his chest, but eventually, it turns into a deep sigh.
"Korra you know your Daddy gets worried about you when you go on your adventures. I know you like to go play, but next time come home before the sun begins to set."
In a quick swoop, he sweeps me up into his strong arms hugging me tightly even though my clothes are wet from the snow. I return the hug wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I love you Korra, I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to you."
Hearing the words whispered into my ear causes my heart to ache ever so slightly. It was my fault he got this worried.
"I'm sorry. I promise I won't do it again."
He sets me down helping me out of the thick wet clothes as my mom looks over at us from the kitchen with a smile.
A Few Weeks Later
After the adventure at the coast, my secrets didn't stop there and neither did my discoveries. I started to notice other things were beginning to move with me. First, it was small rocks and then I started to notice even the fire would flicker when I was upset or angry.
After I almost caught the curtains in my room on fire I decided maybe it was getting close to the time to tell my parents the truth.
The moon was high in the sky and I knew I should have already been asleep, but I couldn't sleep feeling this big weight on my chest.
I had to tell my parents tonight.
So, I get up and quickly leave my small room heading towards the kitchen.
I know every night my parents would sit together at the dining table and talk before they would go to bed, so as I walk into the kitchen I see my parents holding hands from across the table. At first, they don't notice me and I stand there silently shifting from one foot to another.
I didn't really know what to say until my mother finally spoke.
"Is there something wrong sweetie?"
I watch as my father gets out of his chair and kneels in front of me. I could see there was a worried look on his face.
"Did you have a nightmare? Want me to go fight off the monsters for you?"
I shake my head no and I finally whisper to him, "I have a secret."
I watch as both of my parents exchange a look and now my mother is getting up from her chair to join my father placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Well, sweetie, we are here to listen."
I can hear the worry tone in her voice and I want to take it away.
"It's nothing bad. It's just a trick I can do."
I instantly see the relief on their faces as I finish my sentence.
"Alright Korra, show us this great trick of yours," my father says smiling.
I smile back as I run towards the water jug pouring a cup of water. I place the cup onto the table and run back and grab an empty one placing it next to the full one and wave to towards them to join me.
"Ok, Daddy, I want you to take the cup of water."
He looks at me questionably but takes the small cup into his hand.
"Ok, now spill it on the floor."
He quickly looks towards his wife.
For being the strongest man and the leader of their village I know mom is the only person he fears.
His wife smiles and nods towards him.
"Only if you clean up the mess, Korra."
I nod my head repeatedly.
"Ok, here I go."
He tilts the cup in a quick dip, but since I have been practicing I quickly extend my hands moving my body fluidly as I place the falling water into the empty cup.
I look towards my parents waiting for applause or praise, but instead I only see confusion.
"It can't be," my father whispers under his breath.
He takes a step towards me and looks sternly into my eyes.
"Is there any other tricks you can do?"
I smile at him and nod as I make the candles in the room flicker. I hadn't had much practice with fire and I already learned very quickly how dangerous it can be.
I watch as both of my parents sink quickly into their chairs and panic begins to swell into my chest.
"Did I do something wrong?"
Tears begin to cloud my vision as I feel my father's reassuring arms pick me up and set me on his lap. He brushes the stray tear that falls from my eye as he kisses my forehead.
"No,no honey, It's…Well… How about I explain by telling you what my great great grandfather use to tell me?"
I wipe my eyes with the palm of my hand and nod towards him.
"Long ago before we were united as the Empire, we were four nations. Each nation had people who were gifted in their own way.
One nation was called the Earth Kingdom and their gift allowed them to move the earth at their will.
The second nation was the Air Nomads and these people traveled like the wind throughout the land and you can guess what their special gift was? It was moving the air around them.
The third nation was the Fire Nation and these people controlled fire in the palms of their hands.
And finally there were the Water Tribes and they controlled the water and ice that surrounded their homes.
Each nation ruled their own people and developed their gifts, but as time passed these gifts started disappearing. Many people blamed the loss to uniting the nations. Others said as each nation's culture and traditions slowly died so did the roots of their gifts.
So after centuries there was no one left that remembered how to use their nation's gifts and no one left to recognize what it meant when a gifted child would appear. These benders were labels as monsters and inhuman and were killed by the masses out of fear.
I would always sit and listen to my great great grandfather as he spoke of these "benders" of elements and how this story was passed on from his grandfather and his grandfather passed it down to him. I never heard any story similar to his and everyone, including my parents, said they were nothing but myths and superstition. I would have never believed they were actually true."
A long silence followed after my father's story and then a question popped into my head.
"Am I a monster?"
My mother nearly leaped out of her chair reaching towards me as tears begin to run down her face.
"We would never think or believe you are a monster Korra. You are our daughter who is gifted and we love you."
My parents tried to comfort me the best they could, but by the end of the night I just ended up lying in bed staring at the ceiling and before I knew it I was fast asleep.
(I look around and I recognize it as the Northern Territory, but it wasn't the Northern Territory I saw when I visited my uncle with my father. There were differences in the building and the people.
As I try to inspect more of the city I find myself walking with a woman who smiles kindly at me as I reach down taking her hand. Her eyes are a beautiful shade of blue and her clothes are so different from what I have seen the normal Northern women wear.
I can feel my heart flutter and fill with happiness as I stare back at her. I know I love this woman, but why? Who is she?
Who am I?
Before I can ask the woman the questions echoing in my head I hear screams coming from the docks as two men come running towards me.
"Avatar Kuruk we are being attacked!"
I take a quick glance at the woman who nods knowing and I rush after the men. As the dock comes into few I see men fighting with water and ice. I thought my small movements of water were amazing but the sight before me was beyond my comprehension.
I quickly realize that the invaders were destroying everything in their path including hurting women and children and the villagers were now beginning to get overpowered by the vicious invaders. My anger and hurt at seeing who I felt were my friends and family being beaten down begun to overwhelm me.
I suddenly feel a warm sensation take over my body. The calmness I felt was like no other and I saw as all the elements begin circling around me.
Water, Earth, Fire and Air.
My feet begin to lift off the ground until I was high enough where all eyes could see me.
A harmony of voices begins to flow through my mouth as I stare down at the invaders.
"I am the vessel that holds light and peace and with this power, I bring balance to this world! I am the Avatar and I refuse to allow you to destroy this village!")
I slowly begin to open my eyes as I feel someone shaking me lightly.
"Wake up sweetie it's morning."
"I am the Avatar."
At first, I say it still within my dream state, but as my eyes begin to adjust to the light I realize everything I witness was just a dream. No, it couldn't be just a dream a dream. It didn't feel like one but felt more like a memory.
"What was that honey?"
I begin the grip the sheets around me as I look up at her in uncertainty.
"Mom have you ever had a dream that felt like a memory, but it wasn't you in it?"
My mom sits at the edge of my bed and her face wrinkles as she thinks.
"Well, I have heard some people have past lives? But I am not a believer in that. It was just a vivid dream, dear."
Could it have been a memory of a past life? They called her the Avatar, but what is an Avatar?
I hear a soft knock on the door as my father steps in.
"Are you beautiful ladies ready to join me for some breakfast?"
My father's smiles take all the uneasiness away and we follow him back into the kitchen and enjoy a great breakfast together.
After an uneventful day, I was sent off to bed a little early. No one has brought up what had happened a few days before and I haven't tried to bend anything either.
To be truthful I was afraid. I am afraid what it meant to be a bender; I am afraid I was having dreams of a past life I know nothing about, and I am afraid of what I was becoming and if I would become a monster feared by my friends.
This cycle of thinking didn't allow my mind to rest enough to actually fall asleep and at some point in the middle of the night, I heard a small knock at our front door. If I were asleep, like I should have been, I wouldn't have heard it.
I creep quietly to my door to listen and to see who would come to visit so late at night.
I hear my father's thick footsteps followed by my mother's light ones.
"Unalaq, Brother, thank you for coming on such short notice from the Northern Territory."
I hear them walk towards the kitchen and after hearing the chairs move; I quietly open my bedroom door and tiptoe down the hallway to sit by the doorway to the kitchen.
"Is it really true, brother? Is Korra a bender?"
I hear my father's deep sigh.
"Yes, and I am afraid what the villagers might do. Have you found out anything through the resources you have as Governor of the Northern Territory?"
"Most people in the Northern Territory still deny the existence of benders, but what I have heard is that after Emperor Hiroshi ascended the throne four years ago he has slowly been increasing the amount of guards in the Northern Territory. I didn't notice at first since it's not my place to allow or deny them in my territory, but in fact, it's true. I am not exactly sure why, but some of my informants tell me they are looking for someone."
"Could they be looking for Korra?"
Her mother's fearful voice pierces through the air.
"I do not know Senna, but they are tight lip about it."
"What do you advice us to do brother?"
"There were whispers of another group looking for someone as well and I met with one of them, Iroh. We spoke of Korra briefly just enough that I felt I could trust him. He believes she is the Avatar."
Realization hits me like a wave crashing over me. So there is such a thing as the Avatar?
"The Avatar has been used as a weapon by Emperor Hiroshi's Ancestors for hundreds of years, but before then the Avatar brought peace and balance to the world. His organization, the White Lotus, is trying to intercept the new Avatar before the Emperor corrupt him or her again. They hope to take back the Avatar and place her on the right path."
"How do we know she is the Avatar they search for?"
"The Avatar is the only person who can manipulate all four elements and he too was slightly skeptical of my claim that Korra might be the Avatar. Emporer Hiroshi and his father's before him have been trying to destroy the White Lotus so they will not meet with me again until they come to see and get Korra themselves."
I hear a chair pushed back and fall to the floor.
"They aren't taking my daughter!"
A soft voice interjects quickly.
"Tonraq, Korra's asleep please don't wake her."
"Senna how can you sit there calmly when he is talking about giving our daughter to strangers!"
I can't help but peek around the corner to see my father standing in front of my uncle. His hands are clenched into fists and I can see his chest rise up and down in anger. My mother slowly stands to her feet taking one of his clenched fists into her hand and begins to softly stroke it.
"If Emperor Hiroshi were to find out Korra is here and in fact she is the one he is looking for, none of us are safe. How long do you think we can hide her? If the White Lotus can keep her safe then I am fine letting her go because I will know no matter where she is, she is alive and happy."
I watch as his shoulder slump in defeat and I quickly place my back against the wall hiding again.
I don't want them to send me away. I want to stay home.
I hear my uncle voice once more.
"Brother be prepared if the Emperor is to arrive before the White Lotus do. I will send word to you with their instructions."
I hear the chairs move and their footsteps beginning to walk towards me. I quickly jump up and dash to my room as they leave the kitchen.
"Brother, be safe and prepare your daughter."
"Be safe as well, brother, I will wait for your instructions."
I hear the door close and take the opportunity to close my door quietly. I walk back to my bed and wrap myself in my blankets.
As I close my eyes I hear my door quietly open.
I tried my best to act asleep as I feel my bed move with the weight of someone. I feel my hair being moved behind my ear by the unmistakable calluses of my father's fingers.
I hear his soft whisper as he kisses my head.
"I love you so much Korra."
I can feel my eyes begin to fill with tears, but I am relieved to feel him stand and leave my room.
I sit up wiping my eyes as I look towards the door.
"I love you too, Daddy."
After a night full of tears, my father invites me to an early hunting trip the next day.
I had never been invited before and ran upstairs to grab my nap sack with Naga in it.
As we walk I notice my father is taking me far from the village where I can't even see the dark spots of the other huts or the market. I turn to my father worried of the far distance.
"Father why are we going so far and not closer to the shore to get tiger seals?"
He stops in his tracks and sets his pack down.
"Korra what have I told you about warriors?"
I smile at the thought.
"Warriors protect their families and their homes. Even if the village people are not family by blood they are your home."
I look up at my father proudly remembering the words he spoke to me, but his face is worried.
"Korra we are out here so you can learn to protect your family and home. Many people may not understand what you are. Some will even try to use you as a weapon or hurt you, but you must resist and always protect, not hurt."
I dig my boot into the snow.
"I don't understand."
This time, when I look up I see my father's smile.
"We are here to learn how to bend."
I can feel the smile broaden across my face.
My father explained the rules to me.
I am not allowed to bend without their presence and never in front of anyone else and I am to keep my gifts a secret.
So from that day on, my father and I would travel deep into the tundra and practice bending the different elements.
The images of my dream focused me on learning as much as I could about bending, especially water. I wanted to be the protector I saw in my dream.
I moved around my father quickly as I threw rocks and boulders, water and ice, and even a few fireballs at my father and my father being a strong warrior and our current protector, expertly dodged all the attacks.
Except for this one fireball that caught his bum on fire and he had to run and sit on a pile of snow.
I was slowly beginning to learn how to control my bending even though my teacher was not a bender.
It was another day and I was ready to go sparring with my father but he ended up having to go to meetings with the council, so instead, I would have to go to the market with my mother.
I loved the market it was fun and full of life and sometimes I would even get to play with the children there too.
My mother held my hand as we made our way to a herb vendor, which happened to be next to the weapon's vendor.
I tug at my mom's sleeve as I point towards the owner of the weapon's stand. She smiles softly at me and nods.
"Just don't leave my sight ok, Korra."
"Yes, ma'am!"
I run quickly towards the table and look in awe at all the knives and weapons the hunters of her village would use to bring meat to their homes.
"Hello, youngster, your father is Tonraq I presume?"
I look up at the older man smiling and nodding proudly.
The weapon's vendor's white hair stuck out from under is hat untamed and his presence gave off a weird vibe, but everyone knows no matter how crazy Dock seems he was the best weapon's vendor in the village.
"He always carries this knife around!"
I said point to the small hunting blade on the table.
"Now does he? I actually remember him buying a similar knife from me. He is a very loyal customer. He also has these," he says pointing at a few other weapons.
He goes on a bit about the history of each knife and their purpose as I listen intently until a snowball hits me on the side of my face.
I feel my face grow hot from anger as I turn to a group of boys laughing.
"You're not a boy, Korra! You could never be a strong warrior like your father!"
As I listen to them start laughing all over again I can feel myself about to explode until my father's voice enters my thoughts and calms me.
"Weak people seek revenge, strong people forgive, and intelligent people ignore foolishness."
Taking a deep breath I turn my attention back to the weapon's vendor and brush the snow from his table.
I deeply bow apologizing for the snow and rudeness from the boys. I turn to walk back towards my mother, but as I do I see another, larger, snowball heading towards my head.
This time as the snowball approaches, and by accident, I get into my defensive stance and turn the advancing snowball into water that falls to the ground in front of me.
My heart begins to race as I see the boys look at me with their wide eyes.
I quickly get out of my stance and run towards my mother taking her hand and hoping no one else noticed what I have done.
I was relieved that by the time we were leaving the market the young boys had forgotten or didn't understand what they had seen and are now playing other games as if nothing had happened.
I tighten my grip around my mother's hand and tell myself to be more careful.
As we walked out of the market I noticed a lone soldier gaze on me. His cold eyes never left me and gave me a weird shiver down my back as we left to go home.
That was the first time I had seen an Empire Guard at the market.
Another week had gone by and my bending was becoming somewhat convenient.
I had learned how to start controlled fire even with wet lumber and the best one was how to radiate heat from my core. This definitely helped especially on a really cold night I would focus and warm my body and sleep comfortably.
That evening I was helping my mother set the table for dinner when my father bursts through the door.
"Senna, soldiers! Hide Korra! I will try to hold them off!"
I watched as my father runs back out the door without a second glance and as I stare at the door I feel my mother's tight grip picking me up and taking me to the corner of the kitchen.
She begins removing several wooden panels from the wall revealing a small space just big enough for me to fit. I can see a full bag tucked into the floor of the wall space as she places me inside.
She grabs my face with her hands and I can see her blue eyes filled with fear as she begins giving me instructions.
"Korra, sweetie, no matter what happens don't come out. If your father and I leave wait a few days before you come out. There should be enough food in the bag to last a week. A man named, Master Jeong Jeong, will come and he comes he will say 'There is only one person who can bring balance' and you will answer 'The Avatar.' Your uncle should be with him and they will take you somewhere safe. Remember this phrase. This is how you should introduce yourself to people that want to protect you and if someone doesn't answer you with the correct phrase. Run."
I just nod as my mother kisses my forehead and replaces the boards in front of me. on one of the boards there was a small crack leaving me just enough room to see through and as I watch my mother walk away, the door is broken in by several men.
End of Chapter Notes: Cliffhanger I know! Well, this is just the beginning of the story that is inside my head. I hope you like it. To give you something to look forward to, Korra as a child will not last long just maybe a few more chapters and I plan to eventually change the rating to M. This story and like most of my stories turn dark it's only a matter of when. So I hope you enjoy it and give me a few reviews. I take all of your comments into consideration as I edit my newer chapters.
EM ;)
