Prologue: Loss of an Icon

Asami gripped Korra's hand tight as she brought the Avatar's hand up her lips, placing a chaste kiss upon it. Senna and Tonraq were on the other side of the bed, holding their daughter's other hand. Mako was trying so hard not to cry, his amber eyes weary and on the verge of tears. His brother sobbed softly next to him and he placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to console him.

"Mom, Dad." Korra smiled weakly, "Asami, Everyone."

The small crowd gathered in close as the Avatar wished. With each shallow breath she took, everyone could no longer hold their emotions back. Even Lin, the former chief of police choked on her tears. Tenzin, having lost his mother only a few years ago, was completely shattered. Pema embraced him tenderly as she shed her own tears of sorrow. The Avatar was really on her death bed and it just seemed so surreal.

"My time is coming to an end." She said softly, "And my reincarnation will soon be born into this world and into the Earth Kingdom. Please…offer your Guidance to her in any way you can."

Asami nodded, biting her lip to hide her hiccups. "I promise."

"We all promise." Mako stuttered, finding his voice; everyone's voice in this crippling moment.

Tonraq and Senna only sobbed harder as their daughter began to slip away from the Physical World. Zaheer's poison, though she removed it from her body, had wreaked havoc on her and severely shortened her life. She turned to them, tightening her grip with as much strength as she could muster. She secretly hoped it would anchor her to this world but sadly, she knew it would not. She then turned to Asami, looking into her beautiful lime green eyes.

'No', thought Asami, 'She's fading!'

"My love." Korra squeezed her hand as tight as she could. "Don't lose yourself to mourning me. Prosper and continue to help Republic City become Greater than anyone has ever seen."

Asami cried harder, pulling Korra into a tight embrace. Korra relaxed, relishing in her warmth as her own body became cold. "I love you so much."

The spiritual tug was too strong and took Korra within its grasp. With her last breath, a golden light left her body and gentle wind swept through the room as a gentle caress to those that mourned her.

The Avatar was gone.

But soon, the cycle would begin anew.