A what-if scenario: How would Avatar Korra first meet Fire Lord Azula? (Notably, the extended family Korra mentions are from her mother's side.)

Korra is six when she meets Katara for the first time. She's old, maybe even older than Korra's granny, but she's a lot nicer than Granny. She gives a lot of hugs, and those are hard to get in the compound. Korra is bitterly disappointed when Katara begins to teach her waterbending; all of her instructors leave her as soon as she starts to like them.

Katara doesn't though. She keeps smiling and hugging, even if Korra has a bad lesson or talks back. Sometimes Katara leaves and doesn't come back for months, and those months feel like years. But she does come back. She promises several times she won't miss Korra's birthday. On that day, Korra is afraid that she won't be allowed to leave the compound to see her family, but they do let her go. Her father carries her on his shoulders as they go out on the shorefast ice to watch the baby seals.

He talks about their breeding, why they are hunted, what the consequences of their overhunting now are on the tribe. He speaks of penguins, how their blubber is used for oil worldwide now, and why they no longer allow humans to sled on their backs. "We must treat our prey carefully because they are our sustenance. They were put here for us to use but mostly to protect."

Senna has a happier lesson. They braid leather strips with beads, and she explains the colors and patterns. She teaches Korra two different knots too. Korra's braid is crooked, but Senna tells her she will treasure it always.

They share raw seal and sweet berries. The berries swiped inside the seal's open belly are delicious. Senna even prepares a batch of blood cakes for Korra. They're spongy, brassy, fatty, and wonderful. The White Lotus don't approve of uncooked food. A few of them don't even eat meat, which Korra still doesn't understand. They certainly don't eat blood and fat cooked in blood cakes.

She begged them to allow her one night at home with her parents, but her requests are denied. Instead, Korra's parents take her hands and they walk the long walk back to the compound. They aren't allowed inside, something that makes her dad's wide jaw jump, but they offer no protests as they kiss Korra and tell her they will see her in a week. It feels like one of those times when they're talking to someone else instead of her.

Katara is waiting for her inside. Korra is bubbling to tell her how wonderful her day was and how wonderful her gifts are. Tonraq pulled out his key fiddle and played for hours, and Senna sang and danced with Korra around their hut. She has a new fishing hook waiting for her in their hut, and they both promised to take a full day to go out and ice fish next month. Katara listens with a smile and places a strong hand on her shoulder. "The day isn't over yet," she says.

The two of them eat dinner with the White Lotus's new firebending instructor. Korra doesn't like the man because he doesn't like her. He orders a spicy rice dish that burns Korra's mouth. It doesn't matter though; she's full of seal and blood cakes, and she knows he'll be gone in a few months.

"I don't like him," Korra tells Katara when he leaves for his private house in the compound.

"I don't either," Katara replies very seriously. "But you must respect him."

Jhao, the White Lotus leader, talks constantly about respect. For some reason he thinks Korra has none. Why should she care about her instructors when she knows they will leave?

Sometime in the night, Katara awakens her. She hands Korra her clothes, and they slip outside into the deep night. Korra is stunned when the White Lotus on guard, a smiling man who winks at her and gives her Fire Nation soft candies every time he sees her, says not a word when they walk out of the compound.

This is not allowed. This is breaking the number one rule: never ever leave the compound without permission.

Tonraq waits for them there. He's brought Uncle's sled and dog team, and the dogs grin at Korra as she and Katara sit in the basket of the sled. Tonraq snaps his whip and they begin a journey that Korra feels is otherworldly. The snow is pure white in the bright moonlight, and the sled moves so quickly over it. She has been on a dog sled only once, and riding at night is so much more interesting.

They ride past Korra's parents' town, but she sees her mother and even Granny waving as they pass. Katara holds Korra's waist so she can stand up and wave back. Eventually they reach a small town sitting on the edge of the ice. Korra has never been here. She's not sure where it is. The White Lotus have no maps of the South Pole even though they have so many of the other countries and continents. (Korra can't remember which one is which right now.)

Tonraq helps Katara out of the sled, and then he bends to pull Korra into a big hug. She loves his hugs. He kisses her—his face is rough against her own—and smiles when he withdraws. "Have fun," he says seriously. "I'll be here when you get back, my little pup."

"Where am I going?" Korra asks.

"I'll tell you when we're on our way," Katara replies. She seems uneasy for the moment, and Korra takes her hand. They walk out onto the ice-dock and are welcomed aboard a small metal ship. How do metal ships go anywhere without a sail?

The captain, an important looking woman, bows to Korra. Korra understands this greeting; she has to bow to all her instructors, but sometimes she gets the different bows mixed up. Usually they don't mind, but sometimes they do. The ones that mind usually don't stay long. Now Korra bows back. Tonraq waves to them from the dock before Korra even realizes the ship is moving. She and Katara stand and watch the shore slowly slip out of view. Korra yawns, but she's too excited to feel sleepy. She's never been anywhere before. She's never been on a ship before. Once her uncle took her out on an umak, but this is different.

"Where are we going?" she asks again.

Katara leads her across the deck and into the ship. They step into a room with a low table and bed. In the warmth of the room, they both remove their parkas. Katara fixes tea, and Korra drinks it. It's a kind that they keep on the compound, but it tastes better on an adventure.

"We're going to the Fire Nation," Katara finally tells her. "You will meet the Fire Lords, which is your duty as the Avatar."

Korra's eyes round. Her whole life she's heard about Fire Lord Azula and Fire Lord Zuko. She's learned about them during the war and after. She feels a bolt of excitement when she realizes what else she may see. "Will I meet Rakka and Tikkin?!"

Rakka, the first dragon, and Tikkin, her first daughter. Ridden by Azula and Zuko. Rakka is blue and white, and Tikkin is red.

For some reason, Katara begins to laugh. She nods. "I think that is quite likely."

"When will we get there?!" Korra is shaking with her excitement.

"In two days if the weather permits."

Two days will be eternity.

But they aren't. Katara lets her sleep as long as she wants the next day, which isn't very long. But then they explore the ship, meet all of the crew, and practice new waterbending forms. Katara teaches her something that she promises will be the basis of healing, and that excites Korra immensely. The White Lotus don't think waterbending is important because Korra's basic element is water, but she wants to learn about healing.

It is a busy day, and she falls asleep easily that night.

The next morning, Korra awakens to a new world. It's hot, even in the strange soft silk that Katara dresses her in. The sun is bright and hot as well, and there are so many different colors everywhere. When Korra looks from the deck of the ship to the city they dock against, she sees buildings all shining in the morning sun. The city climbs up a mountainside that Katara explains is the rim of a long-dead volcano.

This is Capital City.

A woman in silk and a man in earthbender green greet them. They bow low to Katara and then bow low to Korra. She returns their bows and doesn't know what to say when they ask her how the trip was. They smile as she stutters out an answer and goes silent.

They take a carriage, one drawn by a real ostrich horse. Katara only smiles and lets Korra hesitantly run a hand over the animal's snout. It's a lot more interesting than the few self-propelled carriages that toot horns and ride by their open carriage, or the bicycles that weave through the traffic.

Korra has never seen so many people.

There are all sorts of people: brown skin, light skin, black hair, brown hair, big, tall, fat, and skinny. The buildings are strange too: boxy with pointy edges and all made out of wood.

Korra thinks she has seen it all until they finally reach the top of the edge of the volcano. Now she is looking down into it, and it is full of buildings and people, more than she has ever even imagined could exist. It seems like the whole world is in this city. She stands up to stare at the giant building in the center: the palace. This is where one of the last battles of the war was fought.

That makes Korra stop. Katara fought in that battle. She has never connected the Katara in her history books with this Katara who is her teacher. Now Korra makes the connection and is even more overwhelmed.

"Oh, dear." Katara hugs her close and wipes her tears away. "It's all so exciting isn't it?"

It is, especially when she sees a dark dragon circle close to their carriage. The sun makes him look the dark blue color of her father's parka.

"That's Bogo," Katara says with a smile. "My wife thinks we should rename him, but Bogo isn't a bad name, is it?"

Korra likes the name. Bogo is a mischievous spirit that comes out to play during the dark winter months.

"He's a silly young boy. We think he'll choose my granddaughter, Ilah."

That's too confusing for Korra to understand. She's too busy watching the dragon to ask for clarification. He remains in sight as their carriage continues on into the great city. "Can I play with her?" Korra asks, desperate already at the thought of a child she can play with.

"I think so," Katara says with a gentle smile.

Korra feels like she will explode as the palace gates open slowly, but she is still awed by the two statues that stand on either side of the gates. One is a woman; one a man. They must be Azula and Zuko. The dragon, Bogo, flies overhead. He is waiting for them when their carriage rolls into the palace.

It's green here. There are trees and fountains and flowers and more vegetation than Korra has a name for. Bogo is a splash of blackish blue in that green. Korra wants to touch him so much. Katara takes her hand firmly as they step out of the carriage. They approach Bogo, who remains still as Korra puts her hand on his face. He's furry, and his eyes have a strange lid that folds up when Katara runs her knuckles over his brow.

Korra has never been happier than that moment, with the dragon's spicy breath flowing around her. He's beautiful. Katara touches her shoulder gently, and Korra turns around. There is a line of people, adults, who all bow to her. Korra doesn't know what to do, but Katara takes her hand and leads her gently through them to the great palace.

The palace is huge and pretty and dark. It's lit by fire, not electricity. The walls are tall, the halls are wide, and there are more pretty tapestries and decorations than Korra has ever seen. It feels rich and old.

None of that is anything when Katara turns them to face a tapestry. The man on it is huge and old and bald. There's fire all around him. His hand carries a curved sword.

"This is the first Fire Lord from the current family," Katara tells her. "He is Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lord Azula's greaty-great grandfather."

Korra remembers that greaty-great means lots of greats were thrown in there. He lived a long time ago. "What's his name?"

"I don't know," Katara replies. For some reason, she smiles. "You should ask Fire Lord Azula. She can tell you the names and histories of all of these men and women."

They walk slowly along the line of tapestries. Korra stares at them. The first one that she recognizes is Sozin, and that's because of the comet that sweeps over his head. Next to him is a severe man with gray hair. Next to him is another man Korra can name: Ozai. Avatar Aang defeated Ozai. That sort of means she did, and she's afraid of the massive man standing on that wall. And then his son, Zuko, who has a scar even on his tapestry. But it's the next tapestry that makes Korra stop.

The woman on that tapestry is surrounded by blue. There's even blue under her feet. It's water! Water, like Korra's people. There's a big blue dragon wrapped around the woman. Rakka and Azula.

There is another tapestry beside Azula's. She wonders who that person is, but her eyes are stuck on Azula and Zuko.

Korra is going to meet them.

Katara takes her hand, and they continue through the palace. They stop in front of a set of closed doors guarded by two men in masks and red uniforms. The men salute and open the doors. There Katara releases Korra's hand. "Go," she says quietly. "Bow and introduce yourself."

Korra takes a hesitant few steps forward, and the doors close behind her. She hesitates before she walks down the room. It's a huge room with big round columns. At the end of the room is a raised platform that is outlined by fire: orange and blue.

Sitting on their shins on that stage are two people who are larger than life.

They're really old, which surprises Korra. They both wear big crests in their hair that look like the upper edge of a pineapple, a fruit one of Korra's earthbending instructors used to share with her before he was sent away. These two old people look alike, but one has a scar and the other doesn't.

Korra jumps when she sees two dragons coiled on that massive stage. Like the fire, they are orange and blue.

She feels their eyes on her and trembles as she bows. She bumbles with her hands and puts them flat against each other instead of a fist below a fist or a fist in a palm. "I'm pleased to meet you." Her voice sounds shrill and overly loud. "I'm Korra." Then she remembers who she is and adds, "The Avatar."

"Avatar Korra." The man with the scar, Zuko, speaks. His voice is surprisingly soft and smooth.

"It is an honor to receive you, Avatar Korra," says the woman, Azula. Her voice is hoarse but steady. Korra trembles as they stand up in unison. Zuko is a little bit taller than Azula, but they're both huge in her eyes, even when they step off of their shared fire stage and stand level with Korra.

They do something strange: they bow to her.

"What request does the Avatar have for us?" Zuko asks.

Korra trembles, looks back and forth between them, and she blurts, "Can I pet your dragons?!"

Katara sighed as Azula laughed. "She's only a little girl."

"Yes," Azula agreed, wiping her eyes. "She was overwhelmed at that time. She was fairly perplexed as to why an old Fire Lord was wearing a Water Tribe betrothal necklace. And…" Azula started laughing again. "She asked us, 'Why are you so old?'"

"How could she guess?" Katara asked bitterly. "The poor thing has no interaction with anyone but her parents once every few days and her instructors. She's already learned not to latch onto them because they're sent away after a year. I don't know what Tenzin is thinking!"

"White Lotus have already arrived at the docks." Azula sipped her tea with her lips pinched. "How can this girl be a normal person, much less the Avatar, if she's kept in a prison?"

It made Katara angry to even think of. This wasn't the first conversation they'd had about the issue, and at this point they only exacerbated each other's anger when they talked about it. Katara pulled Azula's hand into her lap and traced the veins and tendons on the back of it. It was an aged hand, but it was strong, just like Azula.

"She was so excited when she saw the grands," Azula said with a faint smile. "Has she ever played with children her own age?"

"Rarely. There are a few children in her village, but they're either too old or too young for her to really play with. And her parents rightfully want to monopolize what time they do have with her."

"I'm going to take her for a ride on Rakka."

"She could die of excitement." Katara threaded their fingers together. "Be careful, you old woman."

"I'm old, not stupid. We'll be in safety harnesses."

The days fly by. Korra is so exhausted at the end of the day, she sleeps hard in the soft bed in Fire Lord Azula and Katara's apartment. Even the thought of the two other children who share the apartment with them can't keep her awake. She plays all day with those kids. They explore the palace, find all sorts of secret passages, play tag, share firebending lessons, travel out of the palace grounds to eat at restaurants and visit other families, and do so many wonderful things that Korra thinks this is paradise.

She cries when she realizes it's her last day. It makes her feel a little better when Ilah, who is the girl closest to her age, promises to write to Korra. She's never written a letter before. It won't be the same as laughing and talking and playing with her, but Ilah says letter writing can be fun. Ilah says that Korra is her friend. Korra cries; it's the first time she's ever had a friend.

On her last day, Korra sees Azula firebend for the first time. She realizes why Azula's tapestry is so blue. She also realizes that she made a mistake when the Fire Lords told her she could make a request. She should have asked Fire Lord Azula if she will teach Korra firebending.

Korra wants to live here, play every day with the kids in the palace, and learn how to bend blue fire. Instead, she asked to pet their dragons.

The night before she and Katara will take a boat back to the South Pole, Korra cannot sleep. She creeps out of her dark room to find Fire Lord Azula and Katara sitting on the balcony, talking softly to each other. They're holding hands.

Azula notices her first. She sort of scares Korra, with her even expressions and rough voice, but Azula smiles at her now. "What is it, Korra?"

She wants to ask to live here, to be a part of this family, to have a dragon, to take Ilah back with her to the South Pole. But she's the Avatar, and Jhao has told her time and time again that she has a responsibility to the world. Korra bows deeply. "Will you please please please teach me firebending?"

Azula's smile has deepened when Korra lifts her head. Azula says, "It would be an honor to teach you, Korra."

It means a lot that Azula uses her name instead of her title then. Korra sniffles and bows. Returning to the South Pole isn't quite as bleak a thought.