I don't own LoK. Enjoy the next one and please review.
The reunion between the airbender children and Tenzin was an emotional one. He was glad that his children, plus Opal and Kai, were alive and unharmed. They were all seeking refuge in the Fire Nation from the expanded Earth Empire. It was a strange event in history, considering the Air Nation's past with the Fire Nation's but Tenzin and the others were grateful. Republic City had been ravaged as well as the rest of the United Nation falling back into Ba Sing Se's control.
Their reunion was shortened though, when Jinora spoke up.
"Dad, I want to continue to look for Korra with Kai and Opal." Her look was determined, "We still need to look for her."
The master airbender looked into the eyes of the other airbender teenagers. They both shared the same wanting look upon their faces. But Tenzin would not give in.
"No. It is far too dangerous for you three to leave the Fire Nation. I will speak with Fire Lord Izumi about a search party."
"But-"
"I will not repeat myself, Kai." Tenzin cut him off, "These true stories of dissent camps are becoming increasingly frightening. I will not let you all go off to look for a missing Avatar."
Jinora gave Kai and Opal a look before following her father and siblings.
They were nearly finished packing their supplies onto Lefty's saddle when Pema walked out. It was two days since Tenzin denied their request.
"You all were not thinking about leaving without saying goodbye, were you?"
Jinora let out a sigh, "Dad wasn't going to let us leave, but we can't just sit here and not look for Korra. It's been a few months since she left Air Temple Island."
The young master floated down, hugging her mother, "I love you mom."
"Be careful sweetie. Please don't make unnecessary decisions. Your father will understand."
Pema made sure to give them a package before the airbenders left. She waved, wiping a worried tear away. Inside the bag, they found clothing in green and some money. They waved back, continuing until they couldn't see the worried mother.
The bison landed outside of a coastal town. Below, the sounds of a festival were heard. Opal carefully tied a bit of cloth over Jinora's head, covering the blue tattoos that could betray their mission.
The town was lit of lanterns and decorated with banners of the Earth Empire. Speakers spoke of heroic victories over the United Republic and of the cowardly Fire Nation ships that killed their leader. The airbenders knew from the rumors in the Fire Nation that it was all a set up. The Fire Nation was there to speak of peace when Kuvira's ship blew up. The important question in the Fire Nation was an obvious one; who in the Earth Empire set the Fire Nation up over the Great Uniter's death?
Every town they flew over along the coast and later inland seemed to be in the same cheerful mood. Only the small towns that were barely living seemed quiet. Eventually, they had to let Lefty take a break from all of the flying they had done in the past few days. It had been a few months since they left the Fire Nation with only a slight clue of the Avatar's whereabouts as the woman kept moving around.
The night was young, yet wet as the airbenders entered the next town. A crowd gathered in the center of town around a fighting ring. As they got closer, they began to realize that it was not much of a fight but an act between bad actors with some bending.
"And now our Great Uniter reaches the treacherous city of Zaofu." The narrator began, "Before her though, is the evil Avatar. Alas, for our leader, she would have to fight the wicked Spirit Woman."
They could see on stage a woman, strong and fit, wearing the pristine uniform of Kuvira. In front of the woman was another actress, thin and weak. This actress was dressed like Korra, her traditional blue clothes and fur wrap, but painted up to look like some demon with a bad wig. She was laughing at the 'Hero.'
"This is horrible." Opal finally spoke up.
Kai seemed to be watching it while Jinora was continuing to look around. Her gaze did finally stop on the actors. The Avatar actor, under the heavy make-up did look like Korra though perhaps a bit thinner.
"That's her." Jinora said, leaning into Opal's ear, "I know it."
"Why would she be in an act, playing herself? Especially since she lost the fight a few months ago?"
"I can sense her energy. It 's her, I just know."
The Hero of the play stood with her ever stern look, "Get out of the way Avatar. You are not welcomed here. You are no longer needed in this world as the Avatar is old and outdated."
The 'Avatar' chuckled, boasting in a false confidence, "I own this world and I will now destroy you like all of my previous enemies and their new inventions. I will enjoy feeding you to my Polar bear-dog."
The Hero attacked and a slow, overly dramatic earthbending match began.
"You really think it's her?" Kai asked with a look of shock on his face.
"It is. I'm sure. Look at how she holds herself."
Kai grinned, "Well, we'll find out then."
Jinora turned to look at the boy, "What are you-?"
Kai didn't let her finish before airbending onto the stage. The two actresses stared in confusion to the sudden interruption before the Avatar actor's eyes widened. Kai could see that the actress' eyes were slightly bloodshot red before she launched herself using the earth in the ring.
"Hey kid, you just ruined the show." The 'Hero' said.
Kai soon took off after the woman, leaving the 'Hero' on stage. She then turned to the audience.
"Come back here, you coward! I am the Great Uniter of the Earth Empire and I will chase you until the ends of this world!" she then bowed as the crowd cheered.
The airbender girls also joined in, chasing Kai and Korra. They could see the Avatar rip the wig off and tossing it aside before again launching herself into the air with earthbending. As Kai launched himself up onto the building, a sudden wall of earth came up in his path. He narrowly got over it before tripping over his own feet. Jinora and Opal caught up, helping him up before continuing. They jumped down into an alley, but noticed that Korra had stopped running and was using a puddle to wash the make-up off. Her renowned blue top and fur wrap had been discarded for a green top. She then lit something and placed it into her mouth.
"Korra," Jinora started, "Where have you been these past few months and why are you running from us?"
She seemed to stare at the airbenders for a moment before busting out laughing. Her sudden outburst left them all baffled. They watched as she bent over, hugging herself. When she stood straight again, a puff of smoke came from her mouth.
"You found me." She said, throwing her arms out as she bowed theatrically, "Are you here to take me home?"
"Yes." Jinora deadpanned, not amused with the antics of her old friend, "You disappeared suddenly and we need you."
"Need me," Korra mocked, chuckling to herself, "No, nobody needs me. You think you need me, but in all honesty, I am just some tool for others gain. I'll just lose again and someone will come to my rescue. People will continue to doubt me and then I won't be needed until the next problem that no one wants to deal with arrives. There's only so much someone can lose before death takes them."
Eyebrows rose from the airbenders.
Opal spoke, "What are you talking about?"
Korra took another puff before flicking the butt at the airbenders, "My bending, my past lives, my mind and now the confidence of others; I've lost them all in the last four years and for what? More pity and sad looks? 'She's too rash. Get into the Avatar State. End Kuvira. Oh no, what's wrong with her? Why can't she fight anymore?' I can't take it anymore! I was going insane on Air Temple Island. No one would let me speak for myself."
Jinora frowned, "Why don't you come to our camp outside of town? We'll talk more before someone notices us and we'll listen this time."
The Avatar shook her head, lighting another cigarette up, "No way. You'll just drag me away. I'm not going back, but if you want to talk, we'll talk. My terms though."
Korra's stance widened before jumping up onto a roof. The airbenders followed, gently landing. The moon allowed them to see her better.
"Well, talk away."
They stared once again before Korra sighed, "If you are going to stare, can you at least hand over some food? I'm starving."
Opal reached into her bag, tossing a peach at her. Korra caught it, tossed it into the air before grabbing it and taking a bite. She then looked at them again.
"Well?"
"I don't understand why you chose this place?" Jinora asked, looking away from her friend, "The world is fighting each other and you are here self-doubting yourself? And acting? You know we will help you, Korra."
After spitting out the pit, Korra laughed before answering, "Losing every underground match tends to lose you money. They needed someone to play that role and it was entertaining enough to mock myself since everyone else does it."
"You just contradicted yourself though. You don't want to be the Avatar, yet you are living it again in a horrible play?"
"At least the play provides food," Korra paused, "Until you three interrupted it. I'll be lucky if I can still go back to them."
Opal turned to the younger airbenders, "If she prefers to live as a nobody, let her. She's wasting our time."
Her comment threw the other two airbenders off. Korra flashed an angered look, torn between arguing and staying silent.
"It's obvious that this woman before us is not the Avatar." Opal continued, "She's a low life; selfish and greedy. Meanwhile our love ones, like my family and my aunt, have died trying or are still fighting to stop the tyrant now leading the Earth Empire into a war with the rest of the world. Have your fun Korra. Good riddance."
Opal then turned, leaving them. Jinora and Kai looked at each other before looking back at the Avatar. They couldn't tell if she was hurt from Opal's words or ignoring them. She just stood there, letting the cigarette burn her fingers. Eventually, Kai followed Opal, leaving Jinora. Tears formed in her eyes as she watched Korra stomp out the cigarette and light another.
"It would be for the best if you went with them, Jinora. I wouldn't want others to doubt you because of me."
The young master sighed with a concerned look on her face, "You shouldn't smoke. I read that it's unhealthy."
She too, turned and left. Korra stood on the roof for a moment before kicking the peach pit.
He grinned at the front page of the paper, 'Avatar Found Dead; Earth Empire World Domination Now Unhindered.'
"This is great news." He laughed, "There is nothing else in the way of taking over the rest of the world. Prepare the ship. We will invade the Fire Nation this week."
The commander saluted, "As you wish, Emperor Bataar."
He then touched the photograph on his desk, "Your untimely sacrifice will not go unnoticed, my dear Kuvira. The Fire Nation and what's left of the United Forces will pay for killing you."