Kuvira sighed patiently. "Do you know what you're doing back there?"

"Umm," Korra said nervously. "H-Hey, the most I've ever done is a ponytail. You're lucky I got this far."

After another minute or so, she finally hobbled back, a crutch under her arm and a cast on her left leg. "There. Got it...I think."

Kuvira eased herself onto her feet, her left arm in a cast and sling as well. She looked into the mirror, wearing her Prime Minister robes and necklaces. Korra had done an adequate job of putting someone else's hair into a bun, for her first try. It would have to do.

After the battle over Republic City, General Iroh had transported everyone, worn and exhausted, to Air Temple Island on the airship. He sent radio confirmation to President Raiko that the Red Lotus had been stopped, and that all citizens could be allowed back into the city, which they were. Everyone made their way to their homes just before midnight, including Tenzin and his family with all three of Kuvira's kids, safe and sound. Their mother could not help but have a tear-filled reunion with Takeo and Anaya, sharing the biggest, tightest of family hugs she could muster with a broken arm.

And now she was back in Ba Sing Se, in her office, orderly and tidy, just as she left it. She'd been gone for seven days total on her "vacation," two of which had actually been spent relaxing, the rest partaking in on-and-off combat incursions, and the additional seventh just to go back to Ba Sing Se and the doctor's for a cast. Korra's healing had helped, but not mended the bone completely. A few days of minimal activity would be enough time for it to heal correctly.

Wu and others in Parliament had fervently insisted that Kuvira take more time off (she had at least two more weeks to go), but she politely declined, saying, "A week is plenty."

She picked the Kyoshi Medal of Freedom up off the counter, rubbing her thumb over the gold.

"Are you gonna wear it as the actual medal?" Korra asked. "I doubt the bracelets would fit over your cast."

"I was planning on actually wearing it for this anyways," Kuvira replied. "Symbolism and all that." She raised the ribbon over the back of her head with her good arm, putting on the medal. She looked at herself in the mirror.

"Aren't you gonna do the thing with the bangs?" Korra suggested with a smirk.

"Korra, this is a formal public event. 'Casual' will not do."

"C'mon, you know it looks better."

Kuvira sighed with a smile, rolling her eyes. She willingly ruffled her fingers through her hair so that her bangs fell lightly against the right side of her face, just like she always wore it. She turned around. "There. Better?"

Korra nodded with a smile. "Perfect."

Kuvira walked over to her. They looked each other up and down. Kuvira took a glance at the mostly healed gash across Korra's shoulder. She sighed. "Look at us: two broken people."

Korra sighed as well. "I'll say." She adjusted her crutch. "Isn't that the same arm that got pulled out of its socket at the start of your campaign?"

Kuvira blinked and looked down out at her cast, genuinely taking a moment to think back. "I believe so..." She shrugged as she looked back up. "I think I'm actually starting to lose track of all my scars."

Korra shook her head with a smile, quietly laughing. There was so much more behind that statement than Kuvira had intended. She looked the Prime Minister up and down again. She blinked. She slowly started losing her smile. Her jaw trembled. She raised her free hand to cover her mouth.

Korra started to cry.

"K-Korra?" Kuvira said, stepping in concern. "W-What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing," Korra sobbed, shaking her head through her tears. "It's...it's just that...You're so strong. You've been through so much, especially these past few days, and you're still so willing to go on. Even with everything you've gone through, all the pain, you're still so happy, and willing, and...you're just so strong..."

"Korra..." Kuvira slowly went for a one-armed hug, minding the crutch. She looked around at the floor, trying to find words. "It's because of you."

"No," Korra said, shaking her head into her shoulder, "not just me." She breathed a laugh. "Stop being so darn humble all the time."

After a long moment, Korra finally pulled away, stepping back with her crutch. She wiped her face as best she could. "You better not make me cry during your speech."

Kuvira inhaled to reply, but stopped. She slowly looked over at one of the window sills, at a small ornate candle, the same one that Korra had fiddled with and nearly dropped all those few days ago.

As Kuvira looked back, all she could do was smile and say, "No promises."

#

The two of them walked down the halls of the Parliament building to the lobby. A crowd of civilians and Parliament members was gathered outside in the plaza for the Prime Minister's big back-in-office speech. Kuvira hadn't wanted anything grand, but Wu wouldn't take "no" for an answer. So he'd gotten the crowd, a stage, banners and all. His usual flamboyantness could be heard from the microphone as the two of them reached the door.

"I mean," he joked into the mic, from the podium, atop the stage, "sure she would've killed me given the chance, and I probably deserved it back then too. But hey, she saved my life. So I suppose that means I can overlook any previous, potential, probably probable murder-plans."

The crowd laughed good-naturedly.

Korra smiled and shook her head. "The more people change the more they stay the same." She looked to Kuvira. "You ready?"

Kuvira nodded confidently, holding a few papers with her speech written out. "Absolutely."

Korra nodded back, and opened the door.

As soon as Kuvira stepped out into the plaza and the crowd saw her, they stood, clapping and cheering in admiration. Korra hobbled over to her seat in the front row, next to Mako, Bolin, Asami, Lin back from Omashu and watching Kuvira's kids, Suyin, Baatar Junior, the rest of the Beifongs, General Iroh, and somewhat surprisingly, Noatak and Lee.

As Kuvira reached the steps of the stage, one of Wu's servants moved to help her. She politely waved him down, completely fine on her own. As she walked up, Wu stepped away from the podium towards her, clapping along with the crowd. He stopped clapping to exchange respectful bows and shake her hand.

"Really," he insisted as they shook. "You're absolutely positive you don't want to take more time off?"

Kuvira glanced out at the crowd. "I think it's a little late to change my mind now."

Wu shook his head with a smile. "If you say so. It's good to have you back, Kuvira."

She returned the smile. "It's good to be back."

Kuvira was thankful Wu found a way to hug her without crushing her broken arm. She worked her other arm up to pat his back, the crowd still clapping and cheering.

He walked off the stage to his seat as Kuvira set her papers down on the podium, the cheering finally tapering off. After gingerly testing the mic with a tap of her finger, she leaned towards it and said:

"I doubt it went exactly as Parliament intended, but this has been one heck of a vacation."

The crowd laughed good-naturedly again.

Korra didn't laugh. She only sat with a proud smile, looking up at Kuvira, in awe at how someone who had gone through so much could be so contented, so carefree, so genuinely radiant. It was almost as if none of it had ever really happened to her, but in truth, it was what had made her stronger.

Darn it, she's gonna make me cry again, isn't she?

After a tentative adjustment of her papers, Kuvira looked up at the crowd, standing tall and proud. She breathed in and out with a smile, and began her speech.

"If my life has been an indication of anything, it's that you can never be prepared for the unexpected. Being orphaned at the fragile age of eight...I don't think anyone could ever be prepared for. You feel so lost, so out of control, wondering if life has truly abandoned you. Life often pushes you to the brink of despair. You feel nothing, just empty anticipation for what could come. But just as you think you've suffered all you thought could possibly be thrown at you, that there's nothing left..."

She met eyes with Su, both of them smiling. "Life has a way of finding you help. Not just reassurance: nurture. Hope. A path for you to stumble back onto. A path to help you grow. A life worth living."

Korra leaned forward to look at Su. She was wiping her eyes, having just as hard a time keeping her tears in.

"Life gives you what you need," Kuvira said. "Sometimes, it gives you only what you need. You think you need more. You think you deserve more. You think that what you want is more important. That is what puts you on the wrong path."

She met eyes with Baatar, smiling, but with pain and regret in her eyes. "And you'll drag others down that path with you, trying to justify every little end along the way. You start doing what you can to forge yourself a 'better' future. But what you can do, is not what you should do. Keeping yourself in check and staying humble: that's what a leader needs to do."

She looked down at her papers, sighing. "Unfortunately, I learned that lesson too late. And I paid for it. I thought that what I wanted was more important than what others needed. I was searching for the right things in the wrong places, in the wrong ways. Trying to fill a void yourself will never amount to anything good, because..." She smiled as she recited: "Oftentimes, it is the things we have lost that are hiding nearest to us."

Korra's smile somehow grew bigger. Something about hearing Uncle Iroh's words coming out of Kuvira's mouth felt so right.

"Mistakes don't have to destroy you. In fact, no matter how substantial the mistake, you can and will learn something from it. It's hard, it's hurtful, but it's what makes people stronger, wiser."

She looked at her kids, her smiling and them giggling. "And along the way, life will reward you for it."

She looked back up at the crowd, smiling and proud. "I, Kuvira Beifong, am back in office. What has happened recently with the Red Lotus will not hinder the Earth Kingdom, or me. The unexpected will not get the better of us, not any time soon, I promise. Thank you."

As soon as she finished her speech, the crowd starting clapping and cheering again, standing up one by one. Korra clapped as she sat, holding her crutch inbetween her arms.

Amidst the clapping, Iroh turned to Lee. "Lee?"

"Yeah, Iroh?"

"I've been meaning to ask...what are your plans for the future? Job-wise?"

"Future?" Lee smirked. "I'm not even sure what I'm gonna have for lunch."

He promptly exchanged a fist bump with a proudly laughing Bolin.

Iroh chuckled. "Well, if you don't have any ideas, I'd...like to offer you a position in the United Forces."

Lee raised a brow, smirking. "This wouldn't be an opening for lieutenant, would it?"

"Well, it just so happens that we have one for captain, if you'll take it, of course."

Lee scratched his mustache in thought. He undecidedly looked at Noatak. "Sh-should I...?"

"Just do it, Lee," Noatak chuckled, still clapping. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine on my own."

Lee looked back at Iroh. He nodded with a smile. "I think I can accept that."

Iroh nodded. "I'm glad to hear it."

As Korra looked from them back to the stage at Kuvira, seeing not only her greatest enemy-turned-friend standing tall, proud, healed, and happy, but her others as well, she couldn't hold in her tears any longer.

#

Some time after Kuvira's speech, after she'd exchanged pleasantries with guests in the crowd and the Beifongs, Korra walked with her back into her office. Kuvira held a stack of letters one of Wu's servants had delivered to her: statistics and taxes and such.

"Can you heal your leg yourself?" she asked, examining her letters. "Or are you going to have to find a healer? I'm sure you're going stir-crazy having to use that thing."

Korra snorted. "I am. Kya offered. She said a day of healing with some rest and I'll be able to walk again, but I'll have to take it easy on all the running and fighting."

"I can't imagine that will stop you from trying."

"Nope. I've got at least three places I'm planning on going after this."

Kuvira chuckled as she sat at her desk, beginning to sort through the letters. "Oh," she said, holding one up. "Looks like Chin finally got the proper farming equipment. That should bring their crop production back up to eighty percent."

Korra giggled and shook her head. "Oh you and your percents."

"Hey, if it worked for an empire, it'll work for agriculture."

As Korra giggled again, another one of Wu's servants walked into the doorway. "Excuse me," he said, holding another letter, "but it appears we missed a letter, for the Prime Minister."

Korra took the letter with a nod and a smirk. "Thanks. I'll make sure she gets it."

The servant smirked as well as he walked away.

"Where's it from?" Kuvira asked, still sorting through her other letters.

Korra held it up to read. "It says it's from a retired..." Her eyes widened. "General Zhang."

Kuvira stopped sorting her letters in shock. She slowly looked up.

"My father..."

The night that Kuvira had gone to visit her father...had not been pleasant. After he revealed that he didn't think she was weak anymore, but rather, that what she did as the Great Uniter was unforgivable, and that her mother committed suicide out of guilt after Kuvira conquered Zaofu, she almost killed him, blamed him for her mother's death, and left, nearly in tears. What Kuvira had deemed the final "emotional crack" she needed to fill before she became Prime Minister had only turned out to be just yet another devastating decision within her life.

But it had been how she met Takeo.

After crying herself to sleep in Korra's arms in front of her mother's grave, Kuvira was woken up by a local orphaned boy in the cemetery outskirts. She talked with the precocious eight-year-old for a long while, exchanging their life stories. Seeing herself mirrored in someone who was where she had once been in her life, Kuvira finally felt ready to become Prime Minister.

And after doing so, going back and adopting him, along with Anaya and Park, being able to call them her own, was what truly gave her hope and happiness.

It was then that for the first time in her life, Kuvira no longer felt lost. But now, for the first time in his life...

Her father was reaching out to her.

Korra looked up from the letter at Kuvira. "Do you want me to stay?" she asked gently.

Kuvira sat back in her chair with a quiet sigh, looking at the floor inbetween the two of them. "No," she finally said. "I'll be fine."

"Okay." Korra hobbled over to the table and handed Kuvira the letter. "Just remember: party at Air Temple Island. Three days."

"Yes, yes," Kuvira chuckled as she took the letter, "we'll all be there."

With a comforting smile, Korra hobbled out the door, down the hall, and Kuvira was alone.

She sat holding the closed letter for a long while, staring at it, her mind racing. What could her father possibly have to say to her? After an entire year? He had made it painfully clear that he cared nothing for her. She doubted it was an apology. She doubted it was an invitation for reconcile. She doubted...

Kuvira kept her breathing in check.

She had nothing to lose now. She had nothing to fear. He was nothing to her anymore. Whatever he had to say...

Kuvira bent a metal strip off of her necklace, and slowly cut the letter's seal open. She tugged the paper out, and unfolded it with one hand. She picked it up and looked at it, assuming the worst.

At first, the only things on the paper were two simple words in shaky writing:

I'm sorry.

But soon, the paper was also dotted with happy tears.

And, after a few minutes of sitting there at her desk, wiping her face, smiling with closed eyes, Kuvira sniffed, found herself a pencil, and began writing back.

#

Noatak's chilled breath puffed out in front of his face as he sighed: a distant feeling, yet also a familiar one. Pleasant, almost, in a wistful way.

"Okay," he asked as he trudged through snow, wearing a coat, gloves, boots and all, "now can you tell me what we're doing here?"

"Nope," Korra chirped with a smile, wearing her coat as well, now happily rid of her cast and crutch thanks to Kya. She looked over her shoulder at Naga. The polar bear-dog wagged as she eagerly waited behind the two of them, in the outskirts of a Northern Water Tribe town.

"And why not?" Noatak asked.

"It's a surprise."

Noatak sighed again and chuckled. "Surprises...You've given me more of those as my friend than my adversary."

Korra smirked. "You could say the same about smiles, but I couldn't tell. Y'know, what with the mask and everything."

"No," Noatak said, shaking his head. "That one's true as well."

Korra looked up at him. He was right.

They went into the town, not an incredibly wealthy one, but not a poor one either. They walked to a market area, where a few people bustled about. There, at one of the tents, an elderly woman worked, sewing coats and boots, crafting baskets.

And that's where Korra stopped.

Noatak furrowed his brow. "Is...this where we're supposed to be?"

"Excuse me!" Korra called out to the woman, not answering him.

The woman looked up, in the middle of weaving a basket. She wore her white hair in two traditional Water Tribe braid-loops going from her temples to behind her ears. "Y-Yes?"

Noatak looked at the woman. There was something...warm about her. He couldn't place it. Perhaps she'd had a husband in the past. "Korra?" he asked quietly. "Who is this?"

Korra still didn't answer him.

Instead, she pushed him forward, towards the woman. "Go on," she eased. "Introduce yourself."

Noatak looked at the woman, then at Korra in bewilderment. After a moment of some silent urging, he turned back to the woman.

He took a step towards her, clearing his throat. "My...my name is Noatak."

The woman's basket fell to her feet, into the snow. Noatak blinked in surprise.

She took a step towards him, her blue eyes starting to shimmer. "Noatak," she breathed, reaching a hand out to him, "is...is that really you?"

He almost took a step back, but kept in place. She walked up to him, looking him up and down. She stared into his eyes for a moment.

"Spirits," she said, a hand up to her mouth. "It is you..."

Noatak found himself in the woman's arms.

"Noatak," she said through tears, "my son...you're home..."

Noatak found himself putting a hand on her back.

"M...Mother?"

They hugged for a long while. Noatak pulled his mother closer, tighter, years of distance collapsing between the two of them. Once they finally let each other go, Noatak turned to Korra, teary-eyed. "How," he tried to ask, his usual deep voice cracking with emotion, "h-how did you do this?"

Korra smiled, her arms gently folded. "My cousins are kinda the chiefs of the Northern Water Tribe. They let me go through some old censuses. I found a few familiar names that matched with ones from now and, well...here we are."

Noatak looked at his mother, both of them smiling, her hand on his shoulder. He looked back at Korra. "I should like to thank them."

Korra nodded with a smirk, turning back to find Naga. "I can probably arrange that. You two seem like you have a lot to catch up on first."

Noatak nodded, breathing a weepy chuckle. "Surprises," he muttered with a smile, shaking his head and wiping his eyes. "Surprises..."

#

"So let me get this straight," Toph said, walking from counter to counter inside her swamp hut, her back still bandaged, preparing a steaming bowl of mushroom stew. "Ghazan turned out to be a good-guy?"

Korra stirred her already prepared bowl of stew, sitting. "Well, it's a bit more complex than that. When his parents found out that he was a lavabender, they kept pushing to show him off to the world. They wanted him to make them famous, but being famous was the last thing he wanted. It makes sense how that made him want to join the Red Lotus. Overbearing parents wouldn't seem too different from oppressive governments with that kind of mindset."

Toph snorted, sitting down next to Korra on a stump-chair. "Parents. It always comes back to family issues, doesn't it? My parents were strict and I turned out fine!"

"Crotchety," Korra began listing with a smile. "Living alone in a swamp..."

"Hey, living in the Swamp was my choice," Toph corrected with an errant wave of her spoon. "Crotchety is just part of gettin' old."

Korra giggled before spooning up a sip of her stew.

After dropping off Noatak with his mother, Korra had ridden Naga to the northern spirit portal. Her first of two visits in the Spirit World had been, a tad hesitantly, the Tree of Time.

After she'd energybent the spirit-bomb, Korra realized that the large portion of Vaatu that had invaded her when she tried taking Ghazan's bending was destroyed after she reconnected with her past lives. She wanted so badly to talk with them, but she had to wait to indulge herself. She'd get time eventually.

And not only did she have her past lives back, but she'd had some of the most genuinely best sleep she'd had in six whole years. No more nightmares, no more hallucinations, no more exhaustion, no more waking up in the middle of the night with an almost-seizure, no more hair falling out. Nothing. Just rest.

Vaatu, what remained of him, was still inside the Tree of Time, dormant, blank, dim. Luckily, the portion of him that had been destroyed diminished most of his power, preventing him from reaching out to anyone else like he did to Ghazan. Unalaq could still be felt in there somewhere, arrogantly clinging on, not budging...

Korra sighed, double-checked to make sure her barrier was still holding up, which it was, and left, comforted that Vaatu wouldn't be bothering anyone for another ten-thousand years or so.

Her next stop had been the Fog of Lost Souls. She'd wanted to stop there first, for a very meaningful reason, but she figured making sure that the spirit of all darkness and chaos wasn't going to kill anyone first was a bit more important. She hadn't ever been in the Fog herself, but if Tenzin and Kuvira's experiences were witnesses of anything about it, it wasn't pleasant.

Korra stole herself, blanked her mind, and forced her way into the heart of the Fog. Indeed, it had not been pleasant: flashbacks of losing her bending, her past lives (or so she'd thought), being poisoned, the two days of being tortured by Vaatu, it all came crashing down on her. She struggled, but she prevailed.

Once in the heart of the Fog, she'd energybent the ancient invisible spirit controlling it. It wouldn't stop it forever, but it allowed everyone trapped within to escape. She led the liberated crowd up the slopes of the valley, letting them roam the Spirit World in peace.

After brushing past some guy who had been declaring he would "slay the moon" or something, Korra found who she had been looking for: a certain tall tattooed man and his armless girlfriend. They smiled at Korra as they walked out into the Spirit World, happy and redeemed, and she smiled back. Unfortunately, she soon lost her smile, not because she saw Aiwei timidly slinking behind them, but because she realized that the third person she had been searching for wasn't in there with them.

She looked down into the valley as the fog fell back. Had he been in there and she just didn't see him? Or was he never in there at all? He knew much more about the Spirit World than she did, so he may have cheated his way out of going in the Fog somehow. Maybe he hadn't died at all.

Korra sighed. Although she had a feeling he helped her reconnect to her past lives on purpose, she had no idea where he could be now.

Her third stop hadn't been on her list of visits, and it wasn't much of a stop either. A walk-by, really. As she made her way to Republic City's spirit portal, she went past Iroh's tea shop. There was a group of several people sitting out front, happily sharing tea and stories. Iroh himself was one of them of course, and along with him, General Iroh, finally and excitedly getting to meet his great great uncle for the first time, as was Izumi, as suggested by the also present Zuko.

Miraculously, the two of them had survived Ghazan's attack, since Zuko had his dragon with him at the time. He'd rescued himself, the Fire Lord, and the servants that were with her at the time, just in time. Unfortunately, the capital was a different story.

Korra and General Iroh met eyes as she trodded by on Naga. He smiled and nodded at her, and she at him. She also noticed that there were two other women in the group. She didn't recognize them, though they were about the same age as Zuko. There was a certain tenderness he had towards both of them.

She'd heard the thinner of the two women say, "I never thought I'd be saying this, but it's great to see you again, Azula."

To which the other replied, "M-Mai?"

Toph chuckled after Korra had recounted the battle over Republic City in its entirety. "Ohhh you did just fine, Twinkle-Toes. I'm sorry I said the world didn't need you all those years ago. The world needs you more than anyone will ever know. I'm just old and crotchety."

"Correct and correct," Korra said with a smile.

Toph snorted a well-humored "hmph." After a sip of her stew and pregnant pause, she asked, "Kuvira knows I like her, right?"

Korra furrowed her brow. "You...do?"

"Oh," Toph said as she looked up. "Wow. I thought it was pretty clear. Did I ever apologize to her about saying she gave metalbenders a bad name?"

"I'm...pretty sure you did, yeah. Yeah."

Toph sighed. "Wow. How forgetful of me. I'm just old and crotchety..."

Korra froze. Was Toph repeating herself on purpose? "Oh no," she started in fear. "A-Are you...?"

Toph burst into laughter with a slap of her leg. "No, no! I'm fine! I'm completely fine! I've never been sharper! I'm not frail like Katara was."

Korra would've sighed in relief. "You know about her?

Toph nodded. "Yes. And it's about time too. She deserved it."

Korra raised a brow.

"I mean she had a good run," Toph said, poking at her stew. She pursed her lips, then asked with an indiscernible, almost genuinely curious tone, "How's Zuko?"

Korra perked up. "Good. He and Izumi have a lot rebuilding projects to work on, what with the Red Lotus destroying half of the Fire Nation capital during their—"

"Wonderful!" Toph exclaimed. "Glad he's his old self."

Korra smiled. "And you're your old self too."

#

Izumi sighed.

"This was a tragedy," she said from her podium, looking out at the sea of Fire Nation capital civilians, most of them homeless, some of them missing family, and all of them solemn. "The lives we have lost cannot be restored."

She looked over at Zuko as he sat on the stage with her. He gave her a small, encouraging smile.

"But," Izumi continued, "it will not be the end of us. We will rebuild, we will survive. The Fire Nation is a proud and flourishing nation, and with the Avatar and Prime Minister's aid, it can stay that way. It will stay that way. I promise."

#

Korra made her way to the United Forces base on the edge of Republic City. She walked into the main hangar bay, where one of many airships was being loaded up for deployment: Iroh's airship. She noticed someone.

"Well look at you!" she announced, walking up to him. "Captain, huh?"

Lee looked over at her. He nodded with a smirk, wearing a red United Forces uniform. He'd cleaned up a bit, having gotten a mustache and hair trim, though he was also sporting a rather unfitting military comb-over. "Yep. Still not sure what it all entails, but I'm goin' for it."

Korra crossed her arms with a smile. "It'll be familiar for you, won't it?"

He nodded. "Military life. I've never been in a high-ranking position like this before, but it can't be much different from all I did during the Equalist Revolution. Well, less going out to kidnap and assault people."

"Do you guys have a specific mission yet?"

General Iroh walked past them, carrying a box of supplies up the airship ramp, finally completely and happily one-hundred percent healthy. "In a week we'll be flushing out any remaining cells of the Red Lotus. Whatever little stability Ghazan and Ming Hua held together is sure to crumble soon, even without us hunting them down."

"Speakin' of," Lee said, turning back to Korra, "get this: those two spies we caught in Gaoling, they weren't even soldiers. They were blackmailed by the Red Lotus into doing their dirty work."

Korra gasped. "No way."

Lee nodded. "I guess that's why the one me and Noatak interrogated was whimpering like a baby, or...Bolin. We let them go back to their families. They're all good now."

Korra sighed in relief. "Good."

Iroh walked past again, handing another box to a crewman on the airship ramp. "Captain," he asked, "did we receive the permit to search in Earth Kingdom territory from the Prime Minister yet?"

Lee turned to him. "D...Oh no. Should've we?"

"Wait," Iroh said, stopping. "You didn't get the permit?"

"I don't think so." Lee scratched his cheek. "Shouldn't we have needed that, like, a week ago?"

The three of them exchanged pondering, slightly discombobulated looks.

Lee turned back to Iroh. "Can I get a hat?"

"I will get you a hat," Iroh promised with a jovial point, picking up another box. "Whatever hat you want!"

"Great." Lee looked upwards disdainfully. "Anything to cover up this comb-over..."

"I mean," Iroh said as he handed his box to a crewman on the ramp, "she was with us the whole time, so she must've been okay with it then, so she should be now."

Lee smirked. "Has the United Forces ever dealt with...fraud, extortion, or corruption before?"

Iroh put his hands on his hips. "Have you ever dealt with simple paper work?"

Lee snorted. "Touché."

Iroh walked into the airship with the crewman to check on something. Lee turned back to Korra. "So, did Noatak enjoy his mom-visit?"

Korra giggled. "I don't know yet. He wasn't at Air Temple Island to say, but I'd assume so. He cried."

"Oof," Lee said with a wince. "Noatak crying. That's something I don't miss seeing. Well, I guess it was a happy cry, so it's okay. That guy deserves a little happiness for once."

Korra would've smiled if she hadn't been looking at the floor, lost in thought.

Lee looked at her. He furrowed his brow. "Is somethin' wrong?"

Korra bit the inside of her cheek for a moment. She looked up. "Lee...find Zaheer."

He nodded, quiet. "I will, Korra. I will. I'll keep an eye out for him. I'll see what I can do."

She nodded back. "Thank you."

#

"And then," Avatar Roku said, his weathered voice echoing from his blue spectral projection, "he left me to die."

Korra gasped as she sat in front of him, eagerly listening with crossed legs. "No...Sozin really did that? After all you two had been through?"

"Yes," Roku said solemnly. "His obsession with 'sharing' the Fire Nation's prosperity consumed him."

"It blinded him," Korra said in thought. "It made him think that what he wanted was all that mattered. He got high on power, and never stopped to think twice about what he was doing. A classic case."

Roku nodded. "Indeed."

Mako, Bolin, Asami, and Kuvira, castless and holding Park on her hip, all walked up next to Tenzin. He was leaning against a pillar, watching Korra converse with her past lives in the Air Temple Island pavilion.

"How long has she been at this for?" Kuvira asked.

"What time is it now?" Tenzin asked, still looking at Korra.

"Just after five."

Tenzin snorted. "At least two hours."

Korra breathed out with her fists together, and Roku faded away. Soon, another Avatar faded out from her: a stalwart, grey-bearded Earth Kingdom man. Korra started talking with the past Avatar like she'd known him forever.

"How many's she gotten through?" Bolin asked.

"Well she hasn't exactly been going in order," Tenzin said. "She was talking with Dad...A-Aang at first, but then she went all the way back to Wan, then every which one inbetween. I think she's been trying to meet as many as she possibly can."

"Can't say I blame her," Mako said.

"Korra!" Asami called to her. "It's time to get ready!"

It took Korra moment to pull herself away from the past Avatar. She turned to look at everyone as she sat. "R-Ready? Ready for what?"

"The party!" Bolin called. "You know, the 'hooray-the-Red-Lotus-didn't-blow-up-Republic-City' party!"

"Oh..." Korra remembered. "O-Oh! The party! J-Just a minute!"

She turned back to the other Avatar, touching her fists together, fading him away as she mentally tracked through all of the past lives she'd talked with. There were still so many that flew by that she didn't get to yet, but she'd get time.

She went from Wan, all the way back up to Aang. He looked up at her, and smiled. "I don't know how you did it, Korra, but we're proud of you, all of us. You've done so much to keep the world in balance, more than any of us ever have."

Korra smiled back. "Thanks, Aang, but I don't think the world's done throwing itself out of balance just yet. When it does, I'll be ready, especially with you guys backing me up."

Aang chuckled. "And we'll be ready to back you up."

"Auntie Korra!" Anaya called as she and Takeo ran up and tackled her, cutting off her meditation. "Come on! We need to get ready!"

"Oof!" Korra laughed. She stood, hoisting the giggling children over her shoulders, Takeo facing backwards and Anaya forwards. "Okay, okay! I'll get ready! Let's go get ready!"

#

The sun soon set as everyone on Air Temple Island helped decorate for the party. Lights were strung over the plaza, and a little stage was set up for when Tahno's jazz band arrived. The spirit portal glistened over the bay, gleaming beautifully against the clear night sky.

Everyone got cleaned up and dressed up for the party before all the guests started arriving. When they did start trickling in, everybody went to eagerly and openly greet them. Kuvira's kids went and joined Tenzin's for a game of catch before things got too crowded, the benders easily finding ways to integrate the nonbenders into the fun.

Lin smirked as she and Kuvira watched them play. "Y'think this would make Noatak proud?"

Kuvira laughed. "Let's save the ideology jokes until everyone's arrived."

Among some of the earlier guests that arrived were Bumi and Kya. They were both still a little somber about Katara's death, but they were able to talk with others and Tenzin, laughing together like the siblings they were, reminiscing and poking fun at each other.

As more guests came, Korra looked over. She smirked. "Wow," she said, getting up out of her seat. "Look who's late to the party."

Noatak looked at her as she walked up to him. He smiled, wearing a blue Water Tribe tuxedo, his hands behind his back. "Sorry for caring to show up at all."

Korra giggled as she stopped next to him. They both stood in silence for a moment, watching all the party-goers bustling about.

Noatak sighed. "It's going to be a big night, isn't it?"

Korra nodded. "Yep, but we're ready for it." She quietly looked him up and down with a smirk. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you clean up pretty nice."

Noatak smiled. "Pretty nice for...?"

"You."

He laughed. "Perhaps the only thing I'm missing is a mask..."

"Ohh don't do that," Korra said. She shifted her stance. "I have to ask, did your mom pick out that tux for you?"

A smile tugged at Noatak's lips.

"Oh my goodness. Did she really?"

"She had a few...maternal suggestions."

Korra smiled. "I'm sure, since you've been gone for almost, what, twenty years?"

They both ended up looking over at Noatak's mother. She was sitting, talking with Pema and Kya, happily and easily getting to know the people that had helped her son.

"I told her everything," Noatak said. "I...told her of how Father forced Tarrlok and I into becoming bloodbenders, why I ran away, how I became Amon and started the Equalist movement, how...Tarrlok killed himself and injured me, how Lee took care of me, and how I joined you and everyone else in stopping the Red Lotus."

"Whoa," Korra said with wide eyes. "That must've been a lot for her to take in."

Noatak nodded, his eyes wide also. "It was a lot to tell. She...was heartbroken to hear about Tarrlok. She understands what happened, how I went so far as to stop people from abusing their bending. She'd like to meet Lee too once he gets the chance. I'm actually going to be moving in with her, to take care of her."

Korra nodded with a smile. "Awesome." She pursed her lips in thought. "What will you do, y'know...after that?"

Noatak looked up with a sigh, thinking as well. "I am not sure. Something...'unexpected' for certain."

Korra smirked. "So you were listening to Kuvira's speech."

"Why shouldn't have I? It was an excellent speech."

"Hey!" Lee called, walking up to them, wearing a tux of his own. "Noatak! 'Bout time you got here! You're missin' out!"

"Missing out?" Noatak asked.

"Yeah!" Lee said with a wave. "The big game! Asami's got Bolin on the ropes!"

"Oh!" Noatak looked back at Korra. "Y-You don't mind if I join them?"

Korra shook her head with a smile. "Not at all."

Noatak eagerly followed Lee as he hurried back over to a table set up in its own special corner, where Asami, Bolin, and General Iroh were finally getting to play their game of Pai Sho. Asami made the winning move with a cheer, followed by Bolin slamming his head against the table and Iroh groaning in ecstatic loss, "You had her! You had her!"

"She's cheating!" Bolin accused. "She cheated!"

"Or maybe I'm just too good for you," Asami sassed back.

"Liar! Totally cheating! Iroh, arrest her or something!"

"I don't think that's in my jurisdiction!"

"Well then I'll do it!"

Kuvira chuckled as she walked up next to Korra, watching them. "They're like children."

Korra giggled. "Yep, they kinda are. Ooh, speaking of, did anything happen to yours over the weekend?"

"Well, school's going to be starting up again soon, so you can imagine how excited they are for that."

"Takeo, incredibly. The other two, not quite as much."

Kuvira chuckled. "Yes, exactly. Oh! Anaya came up to me and asked if we could find a dance studio for her."

Korra gasped with a smile. "No way! She's finally coming out of her shell?"

"It seems that way," Kuvira said happily. "And just wait until you see her land a cartwheel."

Korra giggled. "I'm sure it's perfect."

As if on cue, Kuvira's kids ran by, giggling as always, dodging party-goers in their still ensuing game of catch.

"Oh!" Kuvira remembered. "Tak!" she called, bending off a metal strip from her necklace and tossing it. "Show Korra what you learned!"

Takeo turned, catching the strip with a smile. He widened his stance, concentrated hard, and metalbent the strip, morphing its shape.

"Whoa!" Korra laughed excitedly. "Tak, you're metalbending! When'd you learn that?"

"Just two days ago!" he answered happily, reshaping and tossing the strip back to his mother. "I'm so happy!"

"Mommy!" Park asked. "When's the food gonna be ready?"

"Soon, Park," Kuvira answered with a smile. "It takes a while to make it all for so many people."

"Okay!" Park said as he and his siblings took off again. "I'm gonna eat as much as Boogi does!"

"Park!" Anaya giggled. "It's Oogi!"

Kuvira couldn't help but smile as her children ran out of sight. "I'm so proud of them..."

It wasn't too long until the Beifongs finally arrived. Suyin and Kuvira immediately went to hug each other, as did Opal and Bolin.

"Oof!" Baatar chuckled as Kuvira wrapped her arms around him next, his beard now shaven, only his signature goatee remaining.

Lee snorted, standing next to Wing and Wei. "Guess we can't call him 'Beardo' anymore, huh?"

"Oh don't worry," Wei said with a smirk. "We'll figure somethin' else out soon."

"Grandma Su!" Anaya called as she ran up to her.

"Oh Anaya!" Suyin said as she picked her up, hugging and kissing her. "How's my little girl doing?"

"Takeo," Baatar Sr. greeted with a nod and a smile. "How have you been?"

"Great, Grandpa!" Takeo said eagerly. "Have you made any new inventions yet?"

Baatar Sr. laughed. "Oh, not quite yet, Tak, but I'm gettin' there." He looked around, then knelt down, whispering, "Between you and me, there's something very important I'm working on that's still under wraps. Just you wait! I'll let you get the first look!"

"I can't wait!"

After Kuvira's hug, Baatar knelt down in front of Park. "Hello, Park," he greeted with a smile.

"Hi, Uncle Butt Tar!" the toddler replied innocently.

Baatar blushed as Takeo and Anaya burst into giggles. Kuvira tried to stop herself from laughing along with them.

Baatar looked up at her. "I...thought you worked with him on that."

"Park," Kuvira said as she knelt, attempting to stifle her laughter, "little buddy, it's 'Baatar.' Buh-tar. Say it with me. Buh-tar."

"Buh...tar," the toddler repeated.

"Now say it fast."

"Butt Tar!" Park declared.

Takeo and Anaya giggled harder.

Kuvira and Baatar couldn't help but join in. "Oh well," he sighed, "there'll be plenty of time for him to get it right."

Guests kept coming, and surprisingly, just after the Varricks arrived, King Wu came too.

"Mako!" he called, walking up and putting his arm around his old bodyguard. "Buddy! Pal! Chum-Man! How've ya been?"

Mako actually smiled. "Pretty good, Wu. How about you?"

"Ha!" Wu elbowed him and pointed at Korra as she smiled. "Nice rhyme. He must've been working on that one for hours, huh? I have been fan-tastical! Yeah, it's a word. Look it up. Write it down in your silly little notebook." He frowned. "Wait. You're not really still using that silly little notebook, are you?"

Mako straightened up, his arms behind his back. "It is an imperative detective's tool for compiling information, thoughts, theories, and—"

"Yeah, yeah," Wu dismissed with a wave. "'Imprudent information.' My question is, when's Lin gonna give you a promotion, man? Or a raise or something! I mean, you've been just a detective for how long now?"

Suyin looked at Lin. "You haven't told him yet?"

Lin smirked. "I'll let him know tomorrow."

As if Wu wasn't a big enough surprise, President Raiko arrived at the party too.

He walked up to Korra, Kuvira, Asami, and Noatak as they were all talking with each other. "O-Oh," Kuvira said as she noticed him. "Mister President," she greeted formally.

"'Sup, Raiko?" Korra greeted informally.

Raiko returned with a nod, impassive. "Kuvira," he said, rubbing his jaw, "I...have been meaning to say...This is...I'm not quite sure how to put this..." He pinched and rubbed the ridge of his nose. He finally sighed, and looked back up. "I regret ever doubting you. I admit I never thought well of you after what you did as the Great Uniter, but...it turns out I was wrong to do so. Every injustice you did against the Earth Kingdom, you ameliorated. You've done so much more good than bad, more than most probably realize."

He looked to Noatak. "And...staving from arresting you was for the best, seeing as Republic City is still standing. Throwing yourself into harm's way against the Red Lotus immediately after what you had been through prior is...incredibly admirable."

Kuvira and Noatak blinked in surprise and looked at each other for a moment. They looked back at the president. "Thank you," Kuvira said.

"No harsh feelings," Noatak said with a nod.

Raiko nodded back, then, after an unsure moment, meandered away. Everyone looked at each other in surprise.

"Did," Asami asked, "Raiko just apologize to you guys?"

Kuvira nodded. "Y-Yeah...I think so."

Noatak raised a brow. "He doesn't do that often?"

Korra shrugged. "Honestly, I think it's a first for everyone."

Noatak nodded in thought. He smiled. "It appears that even the worst of people are capable of change."

Bolin, Lee, and Iroh walked up. "Wait," Bolin said, looking back at Raiko. "What'd he just do?"

"He apologized," Korra stated matter-of-factly.

Bolin gasped. "What?! Him?! No way! Really?!"

Korra giggled. "Yeah, really. No joke."

"Wow," Bolin breathed, looking back at the president. He smirked. "The only joke around here is that mustache. Asami!" he yelled, running away. "Let's go talk to Varrick!"

Everyone looked at Bolin as he took off, then at Asami. She only shrugged before walking after him.

"So," Kuvira asked Iroh, "I've been wondering, what's going to happen to the Black Lotus?"

"Yeah," Lee said. "Is it like...disassembled?"

Iroh shrugged, his hands behind his back. "I was actually wondering about that too. I'd say it'd only reassemble if we really needed it, only if you are all around to join. I doubt we're ever going to run into another terrorist organization like the Red Lotus again, and I know I'm never going to find people quite like you."

"Uh-oh," Korra teased with a smirk. "Get ready for a speech, everyone."

"No, really!" Iroh insisted. "Skill-wise and selflessness-wise, I don't think I'd ever find people that could handle something like what you did. You've all...well...You're astonishing, to put it simply. But, who knows? Maybe I'll hand recruitment over to the captain."

"Hey, I'm right here."

"General Iroh!" a little old man called out, hurrying up to them. "General Iroh!"

"Yes?" Iroh said, turning to him. "What can I do for you, sir?"

The excitable old man, a reporter, was holding a camera and a stand. "Are these all the members of the Black Lotus?"

Iroh hesitated for a moment, exchanging a solemn, understanding look with Korra. "Y...Yes, these are."

"Fantastic!" the reporter said. "Would you all be willing to let me take your picture for the paper? Republic City's been very interested in all that you've done, and it'd like to get to know its heroes just a little bit better!"

The four of them exchanged looks and shrugs. "Certainly," Kuvira said with nod.

"I see no harm in it," Noatak said.

"Fantastic!" the reporter said, setting up his camera stand. "Now come on, come on! Get close like you like each other!"

"Ugh," Lee groaned as they moved together. "You sure you want my picture?"

"Come on, Lee," Korra giggled as she backed up next to the reporter, out of the frame. "It won't be that bad."

"Alright, alright!" the reporter said from behind his camera, prepping it. "Don't worry, we can make this quick!"

All four of them, even Lee, wore big smiles as the camera flashed. "Perfect!" the reporter said. "Thank you all so much! For everything you've done!"

"You're welcome," Iroh said with a smile, shaking his hand. "The pleasure's ours."

The reporter gathered up his camera, and hurried away.

Korra smiled, walking back up next to Noatak and Lee. "Everyone's finally gonna get to see that you guys did some good."

Noatak nodded, smiling as well. "Yes. They will."

Pema looked over at the Varrick's table, where Asami and Bolin were talking with the happy couple. "Varrick's been awfully quiet this evening," she warily remarked.

Lin snorted with crossed arms, sitting with Kya. "Don't jinx it."

"I think he's really toned down a couple notches!" Bumi said. "That's the marriage at work. Right, Tenzin?"

Tenzin shot a polite glare at his brother, then smiled at Pema.

Kya laughed. "The real question is, did he want to tone down?"

Bumi smirked. "Varrick or Tenzin?"

Another polite glare, another smile at Pema.

"And that," Varrick said with a jovial point, "is why I will never try to tame a poodle-monkey again."

"Yes," Zhu Li said with a smirk. "You'll be fine if you just bring your wife to help you next time."

"Pfff," Varrick retorted, twirling his wine glass. "There ain't gonna be a next time. Trust me!"

Bolin and Asami laughed. "Wait a minute," he asked, "how many times did you try?"

"About as many times as he's kissed me," Zhu Li joked.

"Oh there's always gonna be a next time for that," Varrick said with a smile, punctually sharing a kiss with his wife. He took a quick glance over his shoulder at everyone eating at their own tables. He looked back at Zhu Li. "Is it time yet?"

"O-Oh," she said in surprise. "Y-You're actually going to do it?"

Varrick snorted as he stood. "As much as I'm never going to tame a poodle-monkey again!" He pointed at Bolin. "Remember: always use more bait than you think you need."

He took his wine glass in hand and a fork in the other. He started tinking them together, calling out to all the guests, "May I have everyone's attention please! We have an important announcement to make!"

"H-Honey," Zhu Li said sheepishly, tugging his sleeve as she sat, "it's not that big of a deal."

"Big deal?" he said, looking down at her with his glass and fork still raised. "This is most certainly a big deal!"

"What is it?" Korra asked from another table.

Despite her downplaying, there was no denying the absolute glow in Zhu Li's smile as she said:

"I'm pregnant."

"Really!"

"Yep!" Varrick said with a smile. "And guess what we're namin' it!"

"Honey, we're not naming her 'Ignick Junior.'"

"Oh but 'Zhu Li Junior' just doesn't roll off the tongue!"

After everyone had finished eating, the jazz band arrived. Tahno and Korra exchanged a respectful salute as the band set up their instruments on the stage. With classics like Hittin' on All Sixes playing loud, the dance floor was opened.

All the couples went to start dancing: Bolin and Opal, Varrick and Zhu Li, even Jinora and Kai, which caused Tenzin to quirk an authoritarian brow and everyone else to laugh. Kai faked leaning in for a kiss on her cheek, causing Tenzin to nearly jump in his seat and everyone else to laugh more.

It was when only the first few notes of Squeaky Rags started playing that Kuvira excitedly perked up in her seat with a little gasp: a dancer's intuition.

Korra couldn't help but laugh at her. "You're gonna go ask Baatar to dance?"

"Of course!" Kuvira eagerly said as she got out of her seat. "Aren't you going to find someone too?"

Korra slowly looked away. "Well...my leg's not at a hundred percent yet, and dancing might go against Kya's advice, so..."

Kuvira shook her head with a chuckle. "Oh Korra. You're not that bad at dancing."

"I'm not that good at it either," Korra said with a smirk. She waved. "Go on. Dancing's your thing."

Kuvira rolled her eyes with a smile. She walked over to the Beifongs' table, where Baatar was in the middle of drinking and laughing with the twins. Kuvira stopped beside him and held out her hand, going unnoticed for a moment as he sipped his drink. He finally did notice her mid-sip, looking from her to her hand.

"Oh," he said with gradually growing realization, slowly lowering his drink. "O-Oh...Oh! Oh no. K-Kuvira, please, I—"

Kuvira giggled. "Shut up and dance with me, Baatar."

Baatar hesitated. He smiled. "Alright." He set his drink on the table, and took Kuvira's hand.

As they hurried off to the dance floor together, Korra couldn't help but smile. Whatever those two had rekindled glistened brighter than the ring that Baatar's fingers grazed when he had taken Kuvira's hand.

After a couple songs, Bolin and Opal came back to the tables. He walked up to Lee, making a joke and sharing a high-five as Pabu leapt onto his shoulder.

"Bolin!" Korra called to him. "Lee!"

They both looked up at her. They walked over. "What's up?" Bolin asked.

"Here," Korra said, handing him a folded piece of paper. "Take this."

Bolin took the paper with a frown, Pabu sniffing at it. "Um...thanks! W-What is it?"

"A map."

Lee frowned as well. "A map?"

"Yeah," Korra admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Zuko told me I wasn't the best at giving directions. I figured this was the least I could do for you guys."

They exchanged a look. Bolin unfolded the paper. He stared at it for a moment. "Uhh...where is this a map of, exactly?"

"The Spirit World," Korra answered with a smile, crossing her arms. "I think I finally found you a lavabending teacher. Lee will probably want to come along with you too once he gets time. There's someone I figured he'd like to see again."

"Wait...what?" Bolin asked with a high-pitched voice.

Korra walked away without another word, leaving Bolin and Lee behind, confused.

"...What?"

Korra kept walking, past all the guests, the music fading away with the chatter. She walked to the edge of the plaza, down the stairway. She leaned against a pillar with crossed arms, looking out at the spirit portal gleaming over the bay.

She must've been away longer than she thought she was, because Tenzin walked up asking, "Is everything alright?"

She turned to him. "What? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinkin'."

"Ah," he said as he stopped beside her. "I figured."

"What about you?" she asked. "Shouldn't you be dancing with Pema?"

"Oh we've never exactly been big on dancing. Perhaps I should go back," he said, stroking his beard, "if not just to keep an eye on Jinora and Kai..."

"Ohh he's a good kid," Korra reassured with a smirk, "don't worry. They've kissed plenty of times before."

"They've what?"

Korra laughed. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding."

Tenzin smiled. "I suppose you are right. He is a smart young man and a very skilled airbender. They deserve each other."

He looked out at the spirit portal with Korra in silence for a long, thoughtful moment.

"You know," he said, "I've never gotten completely accustomed to that portal. It's unreal. I can still hardly believe it's in the center of my father's city. I can only imagine what he would think of it..."

"Aang? Oh he loves it."

Tenzin blinked. "Oh. Yes. I'm...not quite accustomed to that either."

"It's something else, for sure."

"Being reconnected to your past lives, or the spirit portal?"

"Both."

"Mm," Tenzin said with a nod. "I wonder what the people of Republic City think of it. The portal, I mean."

Korra softly narrowed her eyes with smile. "I think it's a reminder."

"A bad one?"

"Well, some people might think so, but other than saving Kuvira, the thing it always reminds me of is what you said at Varrick's wedding."

Tenzin thought back for a moment. "Life is one big, bumpy ride?"

"That's the one."

"Hm..." Tenzin stroked his beard with a smile. "That may be my wisest anecdote yet. And it was unintentional."

Korra giggled. "It'll be right up there with Laghima, Pathik, and Gyatso, I'm sure."

"Wow..."

"What?"

"I'm surprised you just named that many Air Nomad philosophers."

Korra shrugged with a smirk. "Well, you've kinda been the greatest teacher I've ever had."

He smiled at her. "And you've 'kinda' been my greatest pupil."

Footsteps on the stone stairs. Korra and Tenzin turned to see Kuvira, Mako, Bolin, and Asami. "Is everything alright?" Kuvira asked.

Korra nodded, walking up to them. "Yeah, everything's fine." She glanced down for a moment. She looked back up with a smile. "We've been through a lot, the five of us. Some of us have hated each other, some of us have thought we loved each other, but through it all we looked out for each other, helped each other out when we needed it most. The world's not done throwing things at us yet, not by a long shot. And if I'm going to keep balance in the world, I wouldn't want to do it alongside anyone else. I..."

Her eyes welled. "I couldn't ask for better friends."

"Aww," Bolin said. "I think this means a group hug?"

Korra nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yeah, group hug."

"You too, Mako," Asami teased.

"Hey," he said. "Kuvira was the one with the whole 'anti-touch' deal."

Kuvira laughed. "I've hugged more people than you ever will!"

"Oh so now it's a competition!"

"Guys!" Bolin scolded. "Don't make jokes about Kuvira's past like that! You're gonna make Korra cry!"

Asami looked at Korra, and smiled a small smile. "I think it's a little late for that."

"No," Korra said, still wiping her eyes, "I'm fine, I'm fine." She sniffed, then looked back up, smiling. "So are we gonna do this group hug or what?"

"Oh, right!" Bolin said. "Yeah, c'mon, guys. Pull it together."

Kuvira couldn't help but smile. "I couldn't think of doing anything better."

As all five of them laughed and hugged each other tightly, Korra wasn't sure what it was, but she felt...something.

Maybe it was contentment from being loved by the greatest people she ever knew.

Maybe it was peace from knowing that everyone around her had only bright and happy futures ahead of them.

Maybe it was that there was still so much for her to learn and accomplish.

Maybe it was her past lives emanating reassuringly within her again.

Maybe it was that Noatak's, "It appears that even the worst of people are capable of change," rang true for not only people like himself, Lee, and Kuvira, but also for people like Ghazan, Ming Hua, and Zaheer.

Whatever it was, it gave Korra some things she hadn't felt in forever:

Happiness. Hope. Balance.

Indeed, "Life is one big, bumpy ride."

But, "When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change."

Korra pulled her friends closer, more happy tears welling. Even though there was still so much more that would and could happen, everything, for now at least, felt like it was complete.

THE END


Notes: Wow. "The End" indeed. The ending Legend of Korra deserved, or at least something more like this. Thank you so much for reading. I hope it's been as big a journey to read as it has been to write!

Also, if you're interested I've written a fluffy little prequel for this centered around Kuvira, aptly titled: "Kuvira Fluff." (I can't name for beans.) Feel free to check it out if you just wanna see some more of Kuvira being her warm and fuzzy self with her kids :)