KORRA

"I'm the Avatar, you gotta deal with it!"

Those were Korra's first words to the White Lotus when they came to investigate the claims of the new Avatar being reborn at the Southern Water Tribe. Sure it might have been a bit cocky but at age six she could already bend earth, water, and fire; although she wasn't able to bend more than a short puff of flames and levitate a few stones, she did have a good grasp on waterbending thanks to father, Tonraq.

The previous Avatar, Aang, tasked the Order of the White Lotus with safeguarding the next Avatar until they'd master all four elements. Little did Korra know she'd be locked away with almost no freedom at a compound the order built miles from her home village. Not even her mother, Senna could get the White Lotus assigned to her daughter's care to loosen their grip on said freedom. Korra was grateful, however, to at least have her parents there; she may have still been in the South, but their presence made it feel more like home.

And since her father was her original waterbending teacher and she accepted his advice openly, it was decided there was no point in anyone replacing him. Korra was tasked with learning the more spiritual and medicinal aspects of waterbending from Master Katara. However, those lessons weren't very long. In part to Korra lacking any sort of spiritual connection and to Katara's...withdrawal from the world.

During her years in training, Korra learned from the best earthbending and firebending masters. Many of them claimed she lacked restraint and discipline. They cited much like Master Katara that she would not become a fully realized Avatar until she mastered the spiritual aspect of the title as well. And yet, she continued to beat every task they expected of her, mastering three of the four elements at seventeen.

Korra's hopes of being free of her prison were shattered when her airbending teacher, Master Tenzin, had to, unfortunately, postpone her training.

Which is why she took matters into her own hands and left the compound for Republic City. She had always heard stories from the fishermen coming back to the tribe after selling their hauls at the city's port. They said the city had a glow you can see from miles and miles away.

And it was breathtaking! The light, the sounds. She'd never seen buildings so tall. They pierced the sky and she swears some of them never stopped growing. The streets were crowded with all kinds of Satomobiles and vendors and all types of people. She figured most who came to the city would abandon their roots, but she couldn't believe the number of people wearing clothes inspired by the styles of their nations. Everything about the city was amazing and she found herself… a bit disheartened; Master Tenzin and The White Lotus had made it seem like the city was dangerous, but Korra hadn't run into anything questionable yet.

She did get scolded out by a food vendor when she had no money to pay for a snack-in but her defense, Korra always had someone else take care of that. Then, she met her first homeless guy in the park, and surprisingly, he wasn't the only one. He explained that it wasn't unusual for people to live out on the streets. And there she thought everyone in the city was "living it up". Then was when she met her first Equalist; an anti bender protesting in the park. How easily he got her riled up!

Korra paid him little mind and thought, 'Whatever people like him are entitled to their stupidity. If you aren't born a bender than that's too bad.'

She continued her tour of the city. Momentarily struck by the distinct neighborhoods representing the three major nations. Little Ba Sing Se was not at all that "little" and the Arctic Heights were almost like home, except those buildings were made of white stone to look like ice instead. She wondered if it snowed in the city.

When she got to the Fire Nation neighborhood, she honestly thought it was going to be "fierier"; at least with a better fitting name than Wuzho Village. But one could understand why the city decided against it.

Even though Avatar Aang and his friends stopped Fire Lord Ozai and ended The Hundred Year War, the rest of the world needed time to recover and rebuild. After more than 50 years, some people were still mistrustful of Fire Nation citizens, more so firebenders.

Still, some progress between the populations was being made as Korra met two brothers from a multicultural family; Bolin and Mako; an earthbender and a firebender. Bolin, she decided she could very easily get along with. His brother was in her thoughts, 'a giant whale-walrus dick'.

But that was before she stopped a group of thugs from harassing an older man's business. 'Listen, you can't be the Avatar if you're not ready to give an Avatar beat down'. After that, Bolin invited her to see one of their pro-bending games.

And the criminals? Yes, she took care of them, but...might have been a bit too aggressive in the process.

Which ended up with her destroying some prosperity…

And then getting arrested for it…

And almost being sent back to the South Pole…

But thankfully, Councilman Tenzin changed his mind. Korra thanked him profusely and expressed her excitement to begin her airbending training...until he said she had to make her first public appearance as the Avatar.

And as best as she could remember, The White Lotus did not teach her "public speaking for Avatars."

170AG - The Next Day

Korra barely eats dinner; not feeling quite herself. A shame too as she thought Tenzin's wife had made wonderful smelling food; vegetable seaweed wraps, sweet red bean buns, tofu curry. ' Hmm, I might have to sneak out for fish once in a while.' But her stomach probably can't handle any food right now. Not unless she wants it coming back up. She doesn't talk much either, as much as Tenzin's youngest daughter, Ikki, pesters Korra with a million questions?

"Can you really eat a whole whale? Don't you get sad when it cries? How does your house not melt if you have a fire in them? Do you have any siblings?"

"Uh, I dunno," Korra shrugs. She moves some pieces of food around her plate with chopsticks then excuses herself early. Her heavy fur boots shuffle along with her steps as she walks to the female dormitory. A few air acolytes bow when she passes them then continue on their own way.

Korra chews on her dry lips as she grovels in her thoughts, 'give me someone to fight any day, have me talk in front of a crowd and well…'

She enters her room, careful with the sliding door, and changes out of her clothes and flops down on her bed. A knocks softly rattles the door on the door to her guest room, pulling her out of her worried thoughts.

"Korra?" Tenzin's voice comes through the paper panels, "I came to see if you're alright, you left dinner rather early."

She jumps up and goes to the door. "Uh, yeah all good," she says, sliding and leaning on the frame. "Just, uh, wanted to get extra sleep, ya know ... for the meetings and interviews tomorrow."

She does her best to appear calm and collected. Her new mentor looks her over suspiciously. Aging eyes looking for signs of doubt. "There's no shame in being anxious to speak to the media. Although, I strongly recommend you stick to the notes we've written for you."

"Oh come on, I'm pretty sure they'll want to hear what I as the Avatar have to say instead of what somebody else thinks I should say." She says with a flourish of her wrist.

"Given your eventful introduction to the city," his greying bushy eyebrow arched as he spoke, "It's in your best interest to gain the peoples' trust."

"Pft, who doesn't trust the Avatar ?"

Tenzin sighs, "As I'm sure you're now aware that the situation between benders and non-benders has escalated in the past few years. The rise of the Equalists only serves to fan the flames."

'Eh, he does have a point. ' She crosses her sculpted arms and remembers the protestor and his crowd at the park. She grumbles, "Yeah, I know."

Tenzin's concern is clear on his face. He places a hand on her shoulder and gives a reassuring pat. She chews on her lip again. 'Sometimes I forget this whole bender/non-bender situation has affected him almost as much as it'll affect me; I may be the reincarnation of Avatar Aang, but Tenzin is his son; that pressure can't be easy to deal with.'

She clicks her tongue and gives him a crooked grin, "I'll do my best."

With Korra's confidence, Tenzin relaxes, looking a few years younger. He bows his head and turns to leave.

She throws herself back on the bed. 'Okay Republic City, let's see what you got!'

The next morning, a crowd of news reporters gathers on the steps of City Hall waiting for Korra to come out. Her polar bear-dog, Naga sticks her head through the open window in Tenzin's office. The building has a strict "no animals allowed" rule. 'That's seal crap.' Her eyes follow Korra as she paces. Naga's ears twitch occasionally and when Korra turns to face her, her tongue flops out the side of her jaws making Korra chuckle. She scratches behind her best friend's ears, "Oh, to be a polar bear-dog and not have a care in the world."

Tenzin and the Republic City Police Chief, Lin Beifong are talking to a few White Lotus sentries out in the hallway. Apparently, they are working with the police to increase security in case any anti-bender protestors show up to disrupt the event. Korra grumbles and leans closer to Naga, "I say let them, I'd be more than happy to prove them wrong on any of their arguments!"

The door opens and Tenzin comes in. "They're ready for us Korra."

Korra gently nudges Naga to pull her head back from the window, "I'll see you outside girl."

Lights flash as Korra and her escorts walk out of the building.

"Avatar! Avatar over here!" Several reports shout immediately.

Korra holds her arm over her eyes to block out more flashing lights. 'Being disoriented isn't how I planned to make my big debut.' Through her hazy vision, she can make out a podium with several microphones strapped around the edge set up at the top of the building's main steps.

Tenzin walks up and raises his hands, calming the buzz from the anxious crowd. "Good morning to you all. As I'm sure you've heard, the new Avatar has recently arrived in Republic City. We've gathered you all to hear her public announcement and to put to rest any... troubling headlines that may be circulating." Then he motions for her to step up and moves back to her right. Naga and the chief are at her left.

Tenzin left the notes for her at the podium. She clears her throat before speaking, "Hello... I'm Korra, your new Avatar."

More cameras flash and the barrage of questions come flying in faster than she can answer.

"Avatar, does this mean you've moved to Republic City?" One asks.

"Er, well sort of-"

"Were you trying to send a message to the Triads yesterday?" Another interrupts.

"I thought that was pretty obvious-"

Then another, "Will you be fighting crime or the anti-bending revolution or both?"

"Both?"

"Will you be working with Chief Beifong and the police?"

Korra visibly cringes and whispers to herself. "Not unless I have to…"

She grips the podium, feeling Tenzin's stress and Chief Beifong's disapproval. Hoping to backtrack, she flips through the cards. The reporters continue their pressure. "I-uh am honored...to-" She gives up on that card and picks another. Then another. 'None of these sound like me. Ugh, forget it!'

She takes a deep breath, "Uh, yes, I am definitely here to stay, but honestly... I don't exactly have a plan yet."

Quite murmurs spread through the crowd. Korra continues, "See I'm still in training... but…, " she decides on brutal honesty, "look... all I know is Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world, and I believe we can make his dream a reality. I look forward to serving you! I am so happy to be here. Thank you Republic City!"

Tenzin cuts off any more questions and ushers her away quickly. When they're in his office he pinches the bridge of his nose and says, "I'm not sure why I expected you to stick to the cues."

"Eh," Korra shrugs, "I thought I'd wing it. Isn't that how Aang sort of dealt with things sometimes?"

"I suppose," he gives it some thought, "but he did have trusted friends and allies for help."

She bawls her fists to crack her knuckles, "Well, looks like I'm just gonna have to make a new team. And I think I know the first two members."