Asami's POV

"Korra, can you please -"

"'Sami, come on," she managed to whine, one arm holding up her weight. Her body lowered once again before she pushed back up. One handed push ups were not an easy task but Korra made it look almost effortless. "I've been on bed rest forever. I'm feeling a whole lot better."

"Katara still hasn't given you the green light."

Korra stopped, maneuvering so that she was sitting upright. She sighed. "'Sami, I'm really feeling better," she persisted, even going as far as partially rolling her shoulder, and then trying to hide the slight grimace.

I wouldn't be getting anywhere if I kept arguing with her. I understood that she hated being cooped up but I just...I just worried.

Finally, I relented. "Okay. If you want to do something then go talk to Tenzin about getting in some Airbending practice."

Korra's grin could only be described as triumphant.

Tenzin's POV

I was helping feed Rohan when I noticed the young Avatar walking our way. Her arm was no longer in a sling but by the looks of it she still had a difficult time moving it around. I handed my son to my wife before going to greet her. I hadn't had the chance to talk to her in a while, having fled when the Equalists found us and then her being injured. I had even started to think she was no longer interested in her training.

"Hello, Korra," I greeted.

"Hey, Tenzin."

"How's your arm?"

"Still can't move it much," she answered with a sigh. "But I was hoping maybe I could get some Airbending practice in?"

"Being an Airbender doesn't entirely consist of physical movements," I reminded her. "It also requires meditation." She let out a long sigh, knowing where I was going with this. "Given the limitation of movement in your arm, I'd rather you practice the spiritual aspect for now. After all, you are the Avatar."

"Bridge between the Spirit and Material world. Got it."

I smiled and shook my head before I led her to the spinning gates, asking her to sit down, relax and take deep breaths. She did as she was told and I, myself, concentrated in my meditation. It must have been over an hour when I opened her eyes to see that hers were still closed, body relaxed and I thought she had fallen asleep. I sighed and I placed a hand on her non-injured shoulder only for her to fall to the side. I caught her before she hit the ground and blinked in awe.

I shook her body but she gave no response. She was still breathing.

My eyes widened as realization hit me. She was in the Spirit World.

Korra's POV

There was a moment of panic when I opened my eyes and realized I wasn't in the camp anymore. And if the Spirits flying overhead were anything to go by, then I was definitely in the Spirit World. Sure, Tenzin had told me I'd one day be able to enter this magnificent and colorful world, but he hasn't prepared me for what to do if I actually got here. I leaned back against a tree trunk, ignoring the slight jolt of energy I felt from its own life force.

I closed my eyes, trying to concentrate and get back to the material world. But when I opened them again I was still surrounded by overhyped colors. Only, I wasn't alone. There was three other people standing in front of me, my instincts immediately pushing me to stand.

I'd never seen them before. But I all ready knew who they were.

My past lives.

I was surprised, however; when a fourth person appeared. I tilted my head to the side. I'd never seen him before. He had shaggy black hair and a goatee and warm amber eyes. The man smiled at me but I was unsure if I should return the gesture or not.

"It's alright, Korra," the fourth man said, his voice gentle and smooth. "My name is Wan. I'm the first Avatar."

I didn't reply. If I was being honest I felt uneasy. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to stand before my past lives because it would make the truth I'd been trying to deny all too real. I had a destiny to fulfill, and I wanted no part of it.

"How are you feeling, Korra?" Avatar Wan asked.

The air had shifted, and I shivered, one hand rubbing the other arm. "Cold."

"Are you afraid?"

I bristled. "I'm not afraid of anything."

"Fear is nothing to be ashamed of," Avatar Aang tried, finally joining the conversation. "I was afraid the first time I came here as well."

"I'm not afraid. " I wasn't.

"We can see through you, Korra," Kyoshi persisted. Her face was impassive behind her makeup.

"Be mindful of your emotions," Avatar Roku added.

Aang's grey eyes seemed to drill into me, though they were far from hostile. "Your thoughts dwell on your father and your sister."

I bit my lip, lowering my gaze. They were in my head. They were making me feel exposed, trapped. I didn't do well backed into a corner.

I answered, "I miss my dad." It was a quiet admission. "I just want things to go back to the way they were. I want to go home, with my father, uncle, and Asami."

Wan nodded. "That is a part of it. But I sense there's more, that you're afraid of losing them, that you won't be good enough to save them."

I stiffened, my hands curling into fists. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything! Your fear gives way to anger, which leads to hate. And the only thing hate brings is suffering. And you, young Avatar, are being consumed by your fear."

"I already told you, I'm not afraid."

"Korra," Wan continued. "If you are going to fulfill your role to this world, you have to admit that you, like any other human, have fears."

I shook my head, denying it.

"It was those fears that fed Vaatu and almost ended your life."

The Spirit World suddenly seemed to darken, and a sharp shiver went down my spine. "The apocalypse...that..." No, it couldn't be. "I caused that?"

Aang nodded. "Your fears caused it. You can't let him win."

"Your sister helped you last time. But there will come a time when you must face him alone," Roku revealed, and I felt my heart plummet into my stomach.

"I'm...I'm not afraid of him..." I hated how my voice shook.

My past lives all shared a look, each had their own form of disappointment on their face. But there was something else behind that look, like they were preparing for something.

Suddenly, they were gone, having vanished into thin air. And I finally got a better look at my surroundings. The sky had darkened to a horrible, ugly black, thin streaks of crimson red breaking through the rolling, storming clouds. The once green grass was now dead and brown.

The very air was starting to suffocate me.

Then, the Spirits came, dark looking Spirits with ominous glowing eyes and terrible claws. There were hundreds of them. I made a move to Bend, to do something but nothing came.

I was powerless.

"I'm not afraid."

The creatures were closing in, each one growling and rumbling. One launched forward and I sidestepped, swinging one leg around to kick at its side. It landed, but the Spirit didnt seem to feel it as he turned on me, grabbing me by the wrists and slamming me into the ground.

"I'm not afraid."

He screeched in my face, his glowing red eyes drilling into mine.

"I'm not afraid."

I shut my eyes, listening as my heart pounded in my ears and the beasts all closed in on me. I was alone, I was powerless I was...I was...

"I...I am afraid..."

The Spirits hissed.

"I'm afraid," I said, louder this time, opening my eyes to stare my captor down. "But that doesn't mean I can't fight back."

The Spirit reared back, ready to attack, to finish me off, just as I kicked forward into his torso, pushing him into the air and away from me. And just like that the darkness was gone, and the color, the essence the very life of the world seeped back into focus. I couldn't help but smile as I watched the Spirits calm and then pass and I turned to find Wan, smiling.

"You're the light in the dark, Korra," he told me gently. "Don't ever forget that."

I said nothing in reply, simply nodded my head and the world around me began to disappear. But this time, I wasn't afraid because I knew I wasn't alone.

Katara's POV

Korra had been in the spirit world for a couple of hours now. Tenzin had brought her into the girls' tent and the Sato girl had immediately called me, looking worried and asking if she was okay. I placed a watery hand on her forehead before moving it over her body, making sure everything was fine, and it was. Sometime during her stay in the spiritual realm she began to shiver and the raven haired girl quickly covered her up with a blanket. I couldn't help but smile.

Not long after, her eyes opened and she blinked before a great yawn was released. I chuckled, she was tired and with good reason. Asami wasted no time in embracing her, muttering an apology when she jostled the younger teen's shoulder. I could see that the darker girl was happy but a bit overwhelmed by her sister's protectiveness so I decided to intervene.

"Asami, do you mind going to get some food for Korra?" I asked. "She must be hungry."

The heiress nodded her head and exited the tent and I asked my youngest son to entertain her for a bit while I spoke with Korra. He sighed but nodded his head and I sat down on her cot next to the Waterbender.

"She cares about you a lot, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, she's always smothering me," Korra grumbled, thought it was all in good sport.

I laughed. "I'm the same way with my children, even now that they're grown."

Korra nodded her head before she looked over to me, clasping her hands together. "Asami is somewhat like a mother with me, isn't she?" the Waterbender asked, unsure of her words. "I mean…I…I don't really know what mothers do."

"When you think of the word, what comes to mind?"

She paused, and looked over to the heiress's empty cot before answering. "The term mother, it's always been a foreign concept to me, an unattainable one at that. I remember, somewhat, Asami's mother. I remember wanting that." She paused for a moment, furrowing her brow. "But...when I close my eyes and really think about it, when I think of that word, all I can see is Asami. She's just always been there, looking out for me."

I smiled at that placing a hand on the teen's shoulder. "My brother, Sokka, once said the same thing about me," I revealed. "Whenever he thought of our mother he'd see me."

"Really?"

I smiled and nodded. "He used to drive me insane at times, but I always loved him, just like Asami loves you. Her smothering is just her way of showing you how much she cares. A mother's love comes in many forms and that love that you crave, she's giving it to you in her own way. "

Korra smiled at me just as the heiress returned, plate in hand. She sighed but gave a grin and I shook my head. Those two were quite the pair.

Hiroshi's POV

I was furious. Just a few hours after leaving the brat hanging by her shoulder I had returned to find the metal door crushed and her missing. I had gone to search for her, knowing that in her condition she wouldn't have been able to get far but all I came across was an abandoned motorcycle with our insignia. I cursed, knowing exactly who was behind the girl's rescue. Amon.

I arrived at the compound, snapping at anyone who got in my way, before going to my own apartment. I noticed a pair of Equalists following me and my eyes narrowed. I went inside, shutting the doors, locking them to make sure I was not interrupted. I looked down at the scar on my arm, glaring at it, and soon enough the chaotic Spirit emerged.

"What. The hell. Happened?" I asked through my clenched teeth.

"Our plan is proceeding as expected," it answered.

I laughed humorlessly. "Oh, really?" I questioned sarcastically. "Does it look like I am leading the revolution now? Your attempt to kill her didn't work! And now Amon is watching my every move!"

"Stop your ranting."

"No!" I yelled. "I'm in charge."

The dark Spirit grew in size, towering over me and I couldn't help but gulp nervously. Vaatu was not known to be merciful when angered. But I needed him to do something about this little problem.

"Do you feel in charge?" it hissed. Truthfully, no, I didn't. And I knew better.

"We made a deal," I began carefully. "I've allowed you to share my human body."

"And this gives you power over me?"

"We had a deal," I repeated.

"And it will be fulfilled, Hiroshi Sato," the Spirit answered. "I am the necessary evil in this world. The Avatar will fall. She will cross paths with you again and then she'll cease to exist."

I nodded. I would get rid of that abomination.

Lin's POV

I sat in my tent with Mako, Zuko, Iroh and Katara, putting the final touches on our plan to attack the Equalist base. The revolutionist's daughter had actually agreed to help us get inside and though she hadn't asked for anything, I knew there had to be a catch. There always was. After weeks of rest, or whatever she considered rest, she was finally ready to join us. Truthfully, her being injured had given us time to prepare and train our own troops.

The Sato heiress and her walked in as I was going over our entrance plan. I sighed irritably but gestured them forward. The girl had told us every in and out of the compound which would work perfectly for a surprise attack. I supposed I could be civil. I went over the plan with the younger Waterbender and she nodded before giving a few tips on others things that I could do.

"Our main mission is to capture the compound," I began. "Amon will be dealt with afterwards."

"So we capture him alive?" Iroh asked.

I could see the girl's jaw tighten at that and I opened my mouth to speak when Katara cut me off. "Everyone will be taken prisoner."

"That doesn't apply to everyone," I countered. She didn't want the girl to know that we would kill her father, but the kid already knew that. Had known since she'd agreed to help us.

"Everyone will be taken prisoner," Katara repeated.

"I want to participate," the girl said after a moment.

"What?"

"I want to be part of the raid," she repeated. "I want to go."

"Korra," the heiress began. "You don't have to be there."

"She's right," I agreed. "You might see things you don't want to."

"I've already seen things that I didn't want to," she replied.

"Korra can go with me," the elder of the brothers offered. "I'm the only one who wasn't paired up."

I let out another irritated sigh before nodding my head. "Very well."

Soon after everyone began to leave and I asked them to prepare themselves for tomorrow, we would be attacking at night, using that as another advantage. However, when I looked up I found that I wasn't alone. I took a deep breath, knowing why the elder had stayed behind.

"You don't need to be cruel with her."

"I'm not going to lie to her, either," I answered. "She needs to know that this is war and in war there are casualties."

"As much of a monster that Amon is, he raised her," Katara began. "He's the only parent she's ever known. She will be crushed if he is killed."

"He's killed a lot of good men and women. That shouldn't go unpunished."

"I'm not saying it should," the elder clarified. "But watch what you say in front of her."

I didn't reply as I watched her leave my tent. Katara had a point but the girl wasn't stupid. She knew what would happen to her father, and no one could protect her from that.