Final Chapter Rainbow of Love
The next day Korra attended a Trial where Zardok confessed to all of his crimes and didn't even try to plead not guilty. Malina was surprised that the Trial did not end after a mere five minutes. But the real thing that took up so such time was the council's decision of what punishment Zardok should have for committing the crimes of kidnapping and torture. After around ten minutes of deliberation the council finally finished discussing their ideas and told Zardok his punishment.
"Zardok. For the crimes of kidnapping the Southern Water Tribe Chief Tonraq, torture, disruption of the peace and attempted murder on both the chieftain and the Avatar we the council sentence you to five years in the Water Tribe Penitentiary with regular psychiatrist therapy sessions in an attempt to cure your mental illness."
Zardok was surprised at how lenient the council was being with its decision. "Why only five years? You could've sentenced me for life for what I did to both Tonraq and Korra. I practically deserve a sentence for the rest of my life."
"Well we were going to sentence you for life but after discovering that your lack of sanity caused you to embark on such an insane crime spree we decided that locking you up until you die would only hinder your healing process more than it would help it. So we decided that psychological therapy is required for you to make a full and complete recovery."
Zardok started to get wet eyes as he felt a sense of gratefulness he hadn't felt in years. "Thank you council. I promise that I will not screw up my chance to redeem myself. You can bet on that."
"Well I don't gamble so do you have any final words before you're transported to the penitentiary?" Asked a councilman
"I do. First to my sister. Yukiko. I want to apologize for being such a horrible big brother to you this whole time. I mean the whole idea of going to the South Pole to capture Tonraq was stupid on its own but then getting you involved made me realize that I was going over the deep end. So when I get some limited time out of prison please understand that I want to use this time to learn how to become a better brother and a better son. What would my mother think of me now that I've pulled this stunt?"
Yukiko gave her brother a handshake and flicked her hair. "I guess I'm going to have to break the news to her when I get back home. But even though neither me or the Fire Lord will see you for a while it's nice to know that you're taking the first steps towards recovery."
Zardok then pointed at Avatar Korra who this whole time was sitting in the back of the courtroom not saying a single word. "My last word will be given to the Avatar. Please come forward Korra."
Korra walked slowly towards Zardok as she wondered what he possibly could have to say about her. "When I first saw you in my research I wanted to prove my assumption that you're the worst Avatar out of the entire lineup of peacekeepers. I was already spoiled with the knowledge and the overzealous admiration of Yangchen, Kiyoshi, Roku and Aang I suppose. I saw you as just a hot headed, idiotic replacement for the people that I read about growing up."
At first Korra thought that Zardok was just insulting her so she was about to speak up for herself but Zardok put up his hand to prevent her from speaking. "Please let me finish. But then in that moment when you saved me from those dark spirits that I created from my own spiritual imbalance and anger I had an epiphany. You're not a better or a worse Avatar than the others. You're just a different type of Avatar. Kiyoshi dealt out justice in times of imbalance, Aang was a savior in times of war, Kuruk enjoyed the time of peace he was given in the wake of Yangchen reign as the Avatar but you Korra. You didn't just enjoy a time of peace, you actively changed the world for the better in so many ways. You helped nonbenders get their rights, you connected spirits and humans more than ever before, you saved Republic City on at least three occasions and most importantly you rebuilt and defended a new Air Nation that you yourself helped recreate by opening the Spirit Portals! The airbenders were almost extinct at that point and they would've been entirely wiped out if it wasn't for you. So if you don't mind can I have one last hug before I go?"
"Sure. It's the least I can do." Said Korra. She put her arms around him and hugged Zardok with all of her tenderness and love. Zardok was then taken away by the police stationed in the Northern Water Tribe. Korra then put her fist into her palm and bowed in a sign of respect. "Go in peace."
Korra then left the courthouse and ran into the Tribe Chief Malina. "I just want to say thank you for letting my children help you on this journey. I hope it was a somewhat enlightening experience for them."
"You're welcome Chief Malina. Are you going to be fine in this place? I was worried about how the Northern Water Tribe would continue without its Chief."
"I can handle things here. It's going to take a while to fix everything but I'm trying to make the best out of a bad situation. At least I don't have my ex husband to worry about anymore."
Korra walked over to the snowmobile she used to get to the Northern Water Tribe only to find her Polar Bear Dog Naga there waiting for her. "Naga! You came here for me?"
Korra ran over to her companion and rubbed her belly causing Nagas tail to wag in excitement. Naga licked Korras face to show her appreciation for the relaxing belly rub. "Who's a good girl? You're a good girl!"
Tonraq, Senna and Asami all walked over to Korra as she was reuniting with Naga. "Korra. I think that you've matured quite a bit in these last few years young lady. I'm proud to be your father. You've bested the odds and proved to everyone that you're not the weak and emotionally overcharged Avatar you used to be. I wish I could do something to properly congratulate your accomplishment." Said Tonraq.
"Is there anything you want to do Korra? Anything you want at this point you can have it." Added Senna.
"Well I don't want a parade or a celebratory dinner thrown in my honor but there's one thing that I do want. Asami, I want to take you to an ice structure that I first saw when I was very young. I was only five years old when I discovered it with Naga. I thought that I wanted to show it to you before your visit is over. So can we go?"
Asamis eyes lit up in joy and she shook Korras hand. "Of course Korra. Where is the structure?"
"It's back in the South Pole. Naga can take us there again."
"We will await your arrival back at our home Korra. Trust me, I've got something very special planned for Tonraq back when we get home!" Exclaimed Senna.
Korra giggled as she knew what Senna was talking about. "You two enjoy your privacy in the tent. You have your love and I'll have my love." Korra mounted Naga with Asami and they rode off into the South Pole as fast as Naga could run.
The two women arrived at the South Pole and Korra got off of Naga to present the ice structure to Asami. The structure was a giant heart of ice that glowed in the sunlight and amazed Asami when she looked at it. "You see Asami. I rode around on Nagas back quite a bit as a young girl so I explored the Southern Water Tribe a lot in my free time. One day I rode a bit too far away from my family when I was joining my dad on a hunting trip. Naga got scared by a couple of penguins and she took me over to this structure. I initially thought that I wouldn't be found but as soon as I hugged Naga and showed her that she'd be okay the sunlight reflected off of the heart and showed my father where I was. I remember that day because it was the first time that I saw something that could bring people together in love. I just... I want you to remember me fondly if anything happens to me in the future. I want you to remember me for the virtues I have rather than the many, many flaws I have. I hope when you go back to Republic City to continue your career that you'll remember that there is a woman in the Water Tribe who has learned so many things about this world and who wishes to learn many other things before her life is over. A woman who has been considered the best and the worst Avatar by many around her. A woman who loves you more than she can put into words. A woman named Korra."
Asami was overcome with positive emotions after Korra made her articulate speech. She leaped off of Naga and cried tears of love and support. "I won't forget you Korra. Don't let anyone's opinions get to you. You'll always be my Avatar. Whether other people like you or not it really doesn't matter because you'll always be a hero to me. So what do you want to do now that we're here?"
Korra held onto Asami's hands in a similar way that she did when she entered the Spirit World with Asami. "Well I want to tell you that... I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So..." Korra got down on one knee and pulled a ceremonial ring out of her pocket. "I got this from Chief Malina before I went to court today. You helped me in my time of greatest need so I want to be by your side for as long as we both shall live. Asami Sato... Will you marry me?"
Asami was in shock and she cried even harder with joy as a romantic smile grew on her face. "Yes Korra! I will marry you! We can do it anywhere you want."
"For now I just want to have one last kiss before you head back to Future Industries. This was a weird way to bond some more as a couple but I hope you're okay with that."
"I wouldn't change a single thing." Korra and Asami leaned into each other's faces and delivered a passionate kiss that lasted for several seconds. While Korra kissed Asami firmly on the lips the sunlight reflected off of the ice heart in a rainbow pattern. The bright rainbow colors surrounded Korra and Asami as they finally ended their kiss and walked slowly back to Naga.
"I love you Korra."
"I love you too Asami."
The End
