Korra, Ty Lee and the other two Kyoshi Warriors got to the shrine without meeting anyone despite it being the middle of the day. They passed a few houses, but everyone was inside, thankfully. When they got to the front door, Korra noticed a modest but nice grave a few metres next to the shack. It had a white headstone, and there were fans laying in a protective glass case in front of the engraving. She peered, but couldn't read the writing.

"Who is that?" Korra asked, pointing. "It can't be Kyoshi's grave itself, can it? It looks very new."

"That," Ty Lee said sadly, "is the grave of one of my best friends, Suki. You may have heard of her? She was good friends with Avatar Aang."

"Suki?" Korra repeated, the name triggering an old memory. "I think I met her before, when I was seven or something like that. Wasn't she Chieftain Sokka's wife?"

"Yes," Ty Lee answered, stopping for a moment to pay her respects. The other two did likewise, and Korra followed suit. After a minute of silence, Ty Lee continued:

"She revolutionised the Kyoshi Warriors and helped end the 100 Year War, aiding Avatar Aang. I was even on an elite team of Warriors who guarded Fire Lord Zuko with her, back when the colonies were still being disputed over, and there were multiple attempts on his life. Great woman. Great personality."

"She only passed away five years ago," one of the warriors added. "Great teacher." They stayed at the grave for another few minutes, Ty Lee particularly reminiscent, before they headed into the hut. It was fairly sparse compared to the Air Nomad temples she'd been to with Tenzin, and was more like a museum, but Korra didn't care. She certainly got a spiritual vibe off of this place. She hung her cloak on the door and looked at the relics. It seemed like Kyoshi didn't have many personal belongings during her life, as it was mainly just her clothes and fans, and a few things she'd collected. Nothing struck Korra as awe-inspiring. Very humble.

"This dress is huge," Korra commented on the kimono hanging on a wall. It was Korra's full height, from top to bottom. "She really must have been seven foot tall."

"It wasn't just her bending that made her so commanding," a warrior chipped in, as if she knew Kyoshi personally. They probably know what her favourite colour was, Korra thought, seeing as they were in a group named after her.

"So," Ty Lee started. "What should we do? I mean, Onia, Ursa and I?"

"Well," Korra said, pondering it for a minute. "I'm, I'm not really sure."

"We don't mind leaving if you want," the one to Ty Lee's left stated bluntly. "If we can't be of any help, then just say it. It'd only be annoying if you gave us a run-around as so not to hurt our feelings." Korra tried to think of something polite to say, then decided against it, as she'd specifically just been told not to do that.

"Yeah, if you don't mind," Korra said gratefully. "If you stay quiet outside, that'd be very helpful."

"Of course," the one to Ty Lee's right said graciously. They all walked out and shut the door behind them. Korra sat down into the Lotus position. She faced the painting depicting the birth of Kyoshi Island.

She attempted to make Kyoshi appear by using Raava's memory, but that didn't work, as Korra had expected. She vaguely remembered Aang saying that Jinora could come to him, so that meant that she didn't necessarily need the Avatar State, and it hadn't worked like that since Harmonic Convergence, obviously. So she brought her heartrate to as slow a beat as it could get, through proper breathing, and focused deeply.

Korra tried to suck all the tiny remnants of Raava that were attached to the memorabilia around the room into her body. She managed to centre all the energy to her body temporarily, but it did nothing. So she imagined it all gathering in front of her, and for a moment, she thought she heard a voice. She opened her eyes excitedly, but then realised it was the Kyoshi Warriors and Ty Lee whispering. After half an hour of fruitless effort, she groaned out loud.

"Is something wrong?" Ty Lee's gentle voice travelled through the door. "Did you have a disagreement with Kyoshi?"

"I wish," Korra said, getting up and opening the door, getting a confused look from the other three. "At least then I would've been able to talk to her! I tried a lot of different things, but none of them worked even in the slightest. Any suggestions?" Korra felt the energy slowly float back to the items it had been attached to previously.

The woman who Korra reckoned was Ursa, given how they had been addressing each other outside, shut the door behind her after they came in. "Can I say something?" she asked.

"Go for it," Korra allowed.

"Well, I heard a story from Suki and Sokka's son, Surak, the last time he visited," Ursa started. "Apparently, when Avatar Aang, his future wife Katara and Sokka were at a trial protesting Avatar Kyoshi's innocence against the murder of Chin the Conqueror, Aang dressed as Kyoshi, hoping it would trigger something, and it did."

"What?" Korra interrupted. "Did she appear and prove it herself?"

"If you let me finish, you'd find out quicker," Ursa jibed. "Anyway, you're half-right. Kyoshi did appear, but she confessed to the murder. There's more to the story, but the main thing is that Kyoshi appeared when Aang wore her clothes. So maybe…" Ursa trailed off, now indicating for Korra to complete her sentence, which she did.

"-maybe Kyoshi will appear if I wear her clothes!" Korra finished, straightening up with enthusiasm. "Why don't we try that right now?"

"You're forgetting one crucial fact," Onia stated, and all eyes turned to her. "If I remember correctly, Kyoshi appeared in place of Avatar Aang's body, and Aang didn't remember what happened after, supposedly."

"That's right," Ty Lee backed her up, who was leaning against a wall. "I definitely remember Surak saying that. He never left out a detail, just like his mother."

"Is Surak here now?" Korra asked. "Maybe he knows something else that'll help us." But all three of them shook their heads in unison.

"He lives in Republic City," Ursa told Korra. "The last time he visited was on anniversary of Suki's death, four months ago, to pay his respects, just like the four years previous. He used to come more often to visit Suki, but not anymore."

"That's annoying," Korra said, dejected. "Do you think it's worth a shot anyway?"

"Why not," Ty Lee said, and pointed to a small drawer just under the window. "There should be some make-up in the drawer just over there. If we go to the cliff edge just behind the cabin, you can waterbend yourself a mirror of ice. Onia can help you with the red make-up around the eyes. It's tricky the first time."

"Are you sure it's ok for me to be taking anything from here?" Korra asked. "And won't I need to borrow your gear?"

"We've got plenty of make-up," Onia reassured her. "As for gear, I'm sure it's ok if you wear her old clothes."

"Wait a minute!" Ursa butted in. "Avatar Kyoshi's old clothes? They're, they're sacred! We can't just let her throw them on for the sake of a wild guess!"

"The Avatar isn't a celestial being," Ty Lee interjected, without hesitation. "This shrine is a monument to what she achieved in her life, not a temple to worship her, as some nations do with their old Avatars. And if even if her clothes are sacred, we'll need something to summon her with. So we'll let Korra use whatever she needs." Ursa went quiet, showing the respect Ty Lee commanded.

"I wouldn't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable," Korra told them. "Honestly, I don't mind wearing the normal outfit."

"If she's got a problem with it, she can tell you herself," Onia responded. "Come on, let's go."

Korra clumsily painted the sticky white fluid onto her entire face apart from her lips, including around her eyes. They were facing the sea, hidden behind a small hill. The strong wind constantly pushed and tugged at Korra's paintbrush, and she got some onto her clothes. She bent it out immediately, before it could set, but it was really getting on her nerves. She couldn't focus properly on stopping the wind, because then she had to multitask while doing her make-up. Behind her, Onia sniggered while waiting for Korra to finish with the white paint.

"There," Korra declared, after fifteen minutes, triumphantly. She had painted from the top of her forehead to just below her Adam's Apple, and had gone from ear to ear. Her long hair covered up a lot of it, but it was good enough. "If you're done laughing, you can help me now with the red."

"You clearly don't put on make-up much," Onia commented, picking up the brush which was now clean, as Korra had bent the white paint out.

"Well, I've been holed away taking care-" Korra started, then caught herself. Mako might have told everyone in the United Forces, but she doubted it, so for the minute, Kalla was still a secret. Korra's heart wrenched as she thought of her daughter, but she pushed it down.

"Care of what?" Onia asked, carefully stroking the thin brush over the outline of Korra's eyes.

"Care of my safety," Korra finished unconvincingly.

"I can tell you're lying," Onia stated dryly. "I would ask, but it's probably none of my business if you're not telling the truth, so I'll leave it." Korra was warmly surprised by the gesture and took a moment or two before she gave her response.

"Thanks," she replied.

"No bother," Onia said, and only her took a minute and a half more to finish with the red. Korra opened her eyes, and looked at the finished product.

"You know, it does look pretty badass," she commented, turning her head to see the different angles in the ice mirror.

"You like it?" Onia asked.

"Yeah!" Korra responded.

"Good, because oil-based paint doesn't wash off for a few days, even with water," Onia revealed. "It's pretty embarrassing if you get it wrong."

"A few days?" Korra repeated. "That's so long!" She looked at herself in the mirror again. "But at least it looks cool."

"Lovely," Onia said, clasping Korra on the shoulder. "In that case, we'll head back to the shrine now. Hopefully it triggers something."

"Hopefully," Korra repeated, and they walked back to the hut, Korra melting the ice mirror into the grass. As they walked inside, shutting the door behind them, Ty Lee and Ursa sat up in their chairs.

"It suits you," Ty Lee complemented. "Maybe you can stay and pretend to be a warrior. We could certainly use an airbender, with our fans."

"Aren't the Kyoshi Warriors supposed to be primarily non-benders?" Korra asked. She knew it was a joke, but her curiosity was spiked.

"Nonsense, we don't handicap our warriors!" Ursa told Korra. "Granted, only two out of all thirty-seven of us can bend, and three if you count the airbender that left for Air Temple Island all those years ago, but we'll defend ourselves however possible."

"That makes sense," Korra murmured, and noticed Kyoshi's clothes, boots and fans all laid neatly on a table. She walked over to them, and stood there awkwardly, staring at her feet.

"It's fine," Ursa said. "I don't mind you wearing her clothes, I just had to think about it for a minute, if that's what you're worried about."

"No, it's not that," Korra said, blushing madly in embarrassment of what she was about to say. "It's just, emm, I, uh… is it okay if you leave while I get changed?"

"What?" Onia said, amused. "Are you twelve or something? It's fine, we're all women here."

"No," Korra stammered. She'd hated explaining it to people she didn't know. "The thing is, I like men and women, so it'd be the same as getting changed in front of a guy, for me. If you could leave again, that'd be greatly appreciated."

"We'd probably have to leave anyway, let's not make any trouble of it," Ty Lee said immediately, not wanting to make a fuss. She carefully stood up, not extremely agile, and walked out the door. Onia rolled her eyes to Ursa, referring to Korra, as they followed Ty Lee. Korra breathed a sigh of relief. She started to get changed, and then glanced at the windows instinctively.

Korra jumped when she saw Onia's face plastered against the glass. Onia's roar of laughter travelled through the door, while pointing at Korra. Korra just put her shame behind her, pouting angrily, and continued to get changed. Onia didn't play anymore tricks on her, thankfully, and after a minute Korra was ready. She adjusted the gold headpiece, and faced the painting once again, sitting down.

She relaxed, slowing her breathing to the bare minimum. She felt all the energy attached to Kyoshi's huge clothes started to tingle. She started to get excited, but then quenched it. Korra felt energy from the entire island start to centre in the hut. She guided it mentally, imagining it all forming into the shape of Kyoshi, and displaying her body. It was intense, but after four minutes, she opened her eyes and saw the product of her work.

A murky blue mist stood in front of her, shimmying and sending out all kinds of different lights. Korra thought she recognised Kyoshi's face in there, but it was very vague. The mist continued to swirl uncertainly for another minute, so Korra doubled down on her efforts, breathing hard. She rejected Raava rising up within her, as she was absolute in the notion that she didn't need to go into the Avatar State. Sweat started to trickle down her forehead, and mixed in with the still-drying paint. Korra kept on trying to put a better shape on the mist, but after twelve minutes, just as she was about to collapse in exhaustion, it burst, and Korra fell back onto the floor, panting deep and hard.

"What am I doing wrong!?" she shouted to herself. She heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she called.

"No luck?" Ursa asked immediately as she came in.

"I got something," Korra told her. "But it wasn't nearly enough. I put all my effort into it, but there just wasn't enough energy. It doesn't add up, this is the most spiritual place from Kyoshi's lifetime, and I mustered every last drop of energy I could find! But fuck all happened!"

"I think I might have an idea," Ursa suggested. "If what you told us back in the visitors' room is true, then it's actually quite simple what you're forgetting."

"I'd love to hear it," Korra said, still lying on the ground. "That was exhausting."

"In that case, I think there might be two different ways," Ursa said. "You talked to Avatar Aang in the spirit world, didn't you? So why don't you just meditate into the spirit world and try talk to Kyoshi there?"

"Good thinking," Korra acknowledged, "but Aang only sought me out because he felt obliged to inform me about a few things as my predecessor. I'm pretty sure he specifically said that I'd have to go to sentimental locations of previous Avatars, and his first example was Kyoshi Island. So thanks, but I wouldn't bet on it. What's the other option?"

"You mentioned how Aang only appeared to you," Ursa reminded her, "after you created a third portal, and that you shut it when running away, so maybe there's not enough spiritual energy in the world to summon Kyoshi. Have you talked to any other Avatars ever since you did that?"

Korra mused over what Ursa had suggested, and then shot up. She stumbled over in Kyoshi's oversized boots, and shook Ursa rigorously.

"That's it!" Korra practically shouted. "You're right, it was so obvious, I don't know why I didn't think of that before! I was struggling to gather enough energy around, and that's why! I'll meditate into the spirit world and reopen the portal from there! You're a genius!"

"Just happy to help however I can," Ursa replied, smiling awkwardly. "Will we leave again, or can we stay inside?"

"You can stay inside," Korra said, ecstatic. "Just watch over my body while I'm meditating. I shouldn't take too long, but just to be safe." Korra nearly fell over in getting back to her original spot, but didn't bother facing the painting.

Korra calmed herself once more, and after a few minutes, her eyes started glowing blue. A small gem, which had been placed in the middle of Kyoshi's headpiece, after she died, also shone.

"It's just like the pictures," Onia murmured, staring, then turned to Ursa. "You're really sharp."

"Thanks," Ursa replied, not really paying attention, also staring at Korra. She'd known exactly what it would look like, but it was still awe-inspiring to see the glow in real life.

"Ladies, I know that it's very pretty," Ty Lee's voice cut through the silence that followed, "but it's for the best if we make sure that no-one comes in. I'll keep an eye on her body, as I won't be much help physically. Just sit outside the door, as so not attract attention."

"Yes, of course!" Onia answered, snapping out of her gaze, and quickly walked out the door. Ursa followed her a moment later, shutting it behind her. Ty Lee just walked over to her chair in the corner, and watched Korra. It was indeed very fascinating.

Korra opened her eyes, in the spirit world now, and looked around. She was in the middle of a barren field that she didn't recognise. She was still dressed in Kyoshi's clothes, as she thought she would have. She saw a couple of spirits wandering around aimlessly, but other than that, she was alone. Korra closed her eyes and imagined the field where she'd first came out with Asami.

Negative memories started to flood her mind about her ex, but Korra had gotten pretty good at shutting them out by now, and stopping the train of regret that had followed in the past. She felt herself whizzing past landscapes in an instant, but made sure to keep her mind on the destination. It only took about twenty seconds, and when she arrived, the pretty pink flowers were a nice greeting.

Korra shuffled a few metres to the closed portal in her large boots, and prepared herself mentally. It was going to pump her up with spiritual energy, and she had to keep a lid on it. She couldn't bend, but it was still just better to keep it contained regardless.

Korra placed a hand on the glowing rim, and urged the power that was floating around inside to penetrate upwards. Immediately, a hole at the top formed and Korra took slow, deep breaths as the beacon that shot out got wider. Her eyes glowed blue, and mentally she ticked off that she could still go into the normal Avatar State if she wanted when her vision tinted blue. She continued with the task, and felt a huge surge of energy when she finally took her hand off after reopening the portal fully.

Korra fell down on one knee as she felt Raava and Vaatus' energy pulse much, much harder than before. She wanted to let them just sort it out themselves, as each fought for dominance inside her, but she didn't dare give them the chance, and put all her willpower into calming their energies. It took her a few minutes, but she managed it, and sat down for a breather.

It looked easy enough, just put a hand on the portal and go into the Avatar State, but opening the portal was a massive drain on her. She pondered how she managed to do it while pregnant.

"It's exactly how I remember it," a man on the other side of the portal (in the spirit world) said suddenly, and Korra snapped out of her daze. Behind her, she heard a few spirits starting to speak up:

"Why did the Avatar open it again without consulting us?"

"Is that Avatar Kyoshi?"

"I'm gonna give that human an earful the next time she comes here!" another one said.

"No thanks," Korra muttered, and vanished. She waited the momentary lapse where her spirit returned to her body, and then opened her eyes, back in Kyoshi's Shrine. Ty Lee was just sitting there in the corner patiently, with the Kyoshi Warriors presumably outside.

"You're back!" Ty Lee said happily, getting up, but not too quickly. "How did it go?"

"Mission accomplished," Korra informed her, standing up and already feeling the difference in the room around her. No, in the clothes she was wearing. They were emanating tons of energy, and she felt ready to try again.

"Brilliant," Ty Lee said, and very slowly walked over to the door.

All this moving around is taking a lot out of her, Korra realised. She's probably lucky not to have a walking stick at her age.

"Let me help," Korra offered, but Ty Lee waved her away with a smile.

"I'm still able to support my own weight," she laughed. "You should have seen me back in my glory days, I was a top acrobat."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you," Korra said quickly.

"Apology accepted," Ty Lee said without a bother, and opened the door. Ursa and Onia looked inside, and Korra gave them the thumbs up. They both nodded in understanding, and kindly shut the door after Ty Lee had gone out.

"Third time lucky," Korra mumbled to herself, sat down in the Lotus Position and faced the painting once more. She reached out spiritually, and was overwhelmed by the energy all rushing towards her at once.

Korra spent only forty seconds organising it, and then focused it yet again on the small space in front of her. She honed it as perfectly as she could, and when she opened her eyes, a sense of satisfaction washed over her.

"Kyoshi," Korra greeted.

"Korra," Kyoshi greeted back.