Here's the next one. I actually started to write another chapter, so probably one more after this and the epilogue. Enjoy.
Bolin's reunion with Opal went swimmingly better than he expected. While the airbender did not speak to Korra, she did seem to give her a look of sympathy. She and Bolin stayed outside of Pema's temporary home to let the Avatar reunite with them.
The airbender teased him about the beard before kissing him, "So it's all over?"
Bolin shrugged, "For the time being. Korra wants to go all over the world and check up on how the people are doing. She's supposed to speak to the press later about her plans. Then her speech, with Varrick's help, is going to go onto the radio throughout the world. Isn't that amazing?"
"That's," Opal frowned, "Are you going with her?"
"It's only for a little while and I'm sure Korra won't mind having the extra help. You can come with us."
The airbender hummed as she thought about it, "I'm not sure if I want to go anywhere with her."
"I promise that she's not the same like before. She's lost family too."
"It's not the same. She lost them after the damaged she caused. You and I lost ours because of her actions. If anything, she deserved it!"
Bolin turned away, "You know, she might not have done the best that she could have but she was not the reasons of their deaths. She didn't shoot Asami and Mako with arrows. She didn't imprison them in camps and kill them because they disagreed with her. While disappearing and taking my bending away was horrible, I can forgive her for a few things and not hold them against her."
Korra had been embracing Pema and the widow's children for a few minutes. None but Meelo tried to speak and even his comment fell apart. Finally, Pema did pull back.
"I'm sorry Korra. We made a mess of your shirt. Let me find you a new one."
Korra shrugged it off, "I should really be making sure you and the kids are alright. I'll live with a dirty shirt."
After eating a quick meal made by Pema, Korra left them alone to continue to mourn in peace. She needed to find Bolin so they could head back to the Earth Empire and start to evenly break the country up and find any remaining Red Lotus members. She walked towards Oogie with her head hanging low. Her eyes had bags under them still as she was unable to sleep well. Eventually, Kai caught up to her.
"Hey Korra," he shouted as caught up to her, "I want to come with you."
The Avatar stopped to look him over, "You do?"
Kai nodded, "I already spoke with Jinora about it. Well, actually she asked me to go with you. We're worried about you. You look like you haven't slept in days."
The Avatar suddenly looked annoyed, "I'm fine. I just need to go back to the Earth Empire and make sure everything goes as planned."
Kai puts out a hand on her shoulder causing Korra's eyebrows to twitch slightly.
"You also haven't taken the time to mourn at all. That's not healthy. You lost a lot of love ones."
Korra finally snapped, "I don't need to mourn! I need to fix the world. I don't have the time for anything else."
She stopped to look at the curious eyes now watching her.
"What are you all staring at?"
Everyone jumped before scurrying away. Only Kai stood there. He couldn't decide if he was disappointed or confused. He then ran a hand through his hair.
"Alright. Good luck fixing the world."
He heard her breath in deeply, "Wait Kai. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you."
Her words left Kai grinning, "I know you didn't mean it but you should go sleep."
Opal and Bolin finally caught up to them. Korra gave them a nod before responding to the teenager.
"Can't now. I have to speak in the Caldera City."
"Are we all ready?" Bolin asked as he rubbed his hands together, "I can't wait. World building with the new Team Avatar. It'll be just like old times…. Well before we all realized Kuvira was crazy."
His girlfriend scoffed, "It's not a new team. We've always been a part of it."
Korra climbed onto the air bison's saddle, "Let's not waste time now. I have that speech to give and we still have to get Shin."
xxxx
"Greetings," Korra then cleared her throat before the microphone, "As you all know, the war between the United Republic and the Earth Empire has ended on unconventional terms."
She looked up at the gathered crowd as she fumbled with her note cards. Varrick gave her a thumb's up, letting her know that it was recording.
"The group known as the Red Lotus, which had ended the Earth Queen's life six years ago, enacted their plan of pure anarchy throughout the world." She paused for a moment. Her hands were shaking slightly as she placed her finished card behind the stack, "Now, naturally we could all try to live in anarchy but at some point we have to realize that the world needs someone to step up and make sure peoples' safety is upheld. Now you are probably questioning me on the fact that someone did step up to fix the Earth Kingdom and caused further harm in the world. You would be right after all."
Her friends stood off to the side, watching her as she spoke cautiously.
"And now you are probably wondering how everything is going to be fixed," Korra cleared her throat again, "It started with the removal of the Fire Lord of her monarchy. An old friend of mine once told me that monarchies were outdated and they are. I will help each country with creating a democratic government, allowing the people to voice their concerns and needs through free elections. Of course, none of this will work unless we have leaders in each town and city step up to help."
She switched cards before looking up at the crowd, "I am calling on the people of the world to aid me. It is only fair that you all add your own thoughts into creating this as you all had to suffer without me."
Bolin took a moment to also look into the crowd. The people of the city looked confused and a bit hurt.
"In a few days from now, I will be in the Earth Empire to meet with the governors about breaking the Earth Empire up into new nations. It is not to punish them for the war but to better allow their new governments to better help and aid their people."
Korra fought the urge to yawn. The lack of sleep was catching up to her at the worst time. She rubbed her face before continuing.
"Lastly, I need to apologize to the world. I disappeared for almost six unanswered years when I should have stayed and helped. I know that I cannot fix the last few years but I hope that I can be forgiven. I promise now, as the Avatar, I will do what I can to fix this now so that you and your families can live in a better and safer world. Thank you."
xxxx
After convincing the firebender to come along, the five of them flew to Ba Sing Se. The leaders of the White Lotus met with her as she went over what she expected from them. The Avatar told them that they were to make sure nothing or no one got in the way of letting the people vote. They were simply going to be a neutral gathering, keeping the peace. After, their mission would be to keep the Red Lotus from rebuilding.
After the meeting, Korra sat on the steps of the torn palace. She was looking into her package of cigarettes. Well, it was one. Her last smoke remained unused for weeks since she last smoked. Hearing footsteps, she turned to see the former officer as he sat down near her.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
Korra turned back to look at her hand, "I'm trying to decide what to do with my last cigarette. After this, I won't be using them anymore. I promised Tenzin and I have sorta kept my side of our bargain."
"Can I see?" Shin asked, holding his hand out.
When she handed him the package, he immediately burned it and the cigarette. Korra gave him a hurt look when he blew the ashes away.
"There. You are finally done with that." He said as he wiped his hand, "It's time to move on, Avatar Korra. Just like with those, you are holding on to more baggage than you need. Have you been to the Spirit World yet?"
"No."
"Well, let's try again. Let go just like you have with your smoking habit." He said as he crossed his legs, "Get past your fears."
She nodded and readjusted to start her meditation. He watched her face bunch up before finally reaching a calm look. Shin smiled before laying back to wait for her to return. She did minutes later and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Shin."
"You are welcome, Avatar Korra."
She sat back and allowed him to sit up, "I know what else I have to do now before continuing with nation building. I should have done it a long time ago."
xxxx
She felt uneasy as Oogie flew over the swamp. The temptation of disappearing again was becoming stronger but the men with her kept her on the right path. Bolin mentioned something about needing to come back here as well. They touched down on the ground and were met with rejoicing people. With the city of Omashu becoming their capital, the people of the new Southern Earth Nation were closer to having a leader and laws instated.
But Korra wasn't here for politics. She kept greeting people with a nod and smile as she headed towards the main square. It looked just like it had before just with less consequences of a fight. She adjusted her worn grey jacket before bumping into someone.
"Sorry," Korra started before realizing who it was, "Li Ling?"
The woman's redden eyes grew, "Koriyoshi. Hey, up for a match tonight or are you busy?"
"I'm busy actually."
The woman put her hands into her pockets, "Well, if you are looking for something to do tonight, we're having a clean match here in town with actual referees and rules. Then later, you know." She winked leaning in closer, "A party down at Ji's. With the war over, we have a new shipment of the best stuff, unless the Avatar is too busy."
She pulled out a bag. Shin immediately put a hand on Korra's shoulder as she was having that urge to take the offer. The airbenders and Bolin were watching closely, slightly in fear of what could come. Korra then snapped out of her thoughts and smiled.
"Oh come on, Korra." Opal sighed in irritation.
"Alr-," she started out of habit before patting Shin's hand, "I can't. I'm sorry; I have Avatar stuff to do, as tempting as it is."
Li Ling nodded, "Your loss then, Avatar."
"Wait!" Korra called out, "How long have you known I was the Avatar?"
"I knew the night I met you. Not many earthbenders can also waterbend and heal as fast as you did after each fight. I just didn't say anything because you are happy during your time with us." Li Ling's finger scrolled down from Korra's nose to chest in a playful manner, "If you are ever in need of anything though dollface, come find me."
Eyebrows rose as Korra glanced back at her friends. Her face was a bit red from embarrassment, "Right. I'll keep it in mind. Well, bye Li Ling."
The woman nodded and winked before greeting more of the fighters.
"What," Kai started, "Was that?"
"Awww, Korra is getting better. We're so proud of you." Bolin sang, blatantly ignoring Li Ling's previous actions.
She gave them a sad smile, "I've come too far to step back now."
They continued until they reached two headstones in the square. People had left small stones, coins and other prized objects on the stones in thanks of the Resistance leaders whom had died months before. Opal grabbed Kai's and Shin's hands and made sure to drag them away for a moment. Bolin had already started telling the headstones jokes and such once he sat down. Korra sat in silence. She was not yet sure on what she wanted to say to headstones. It was not until Bolin left her alone that she did anything else. She brought her knees up into her chest as she started to apologize to the stones.
It started as a quick greeting as talking to stones felt foolish at the time. She later went off on an awkward rant about how she should not be feeling foolish. She told the stones that she had done more foolish things while her mind was clouded. Then she apologized again. She took another quiet moment to stare at the characters on the stone that spelt out her friends' names.
Slowly in the back of her mind, Kai's words flowed back. Pema and Shin had also told her that she needed a moment to reflect. When she closed her eyes, the images of her lost friends came to her.
Her parents. Tenzin. Lin and the rest of the Bei Fongs. Asami. Mako.
She pinched her nose with regret.
"Are you alright, Avatar Korra?" Shin sat down next to her.
"I'm just," she paused, "I'm tired and I'm talking to my dead friends' headstones." The moment became uncomfortable when she leaned against him, "I loved them both, by the way. Asami was the first girl my age that I connected with. She taught me how to drive and made sure to watch over me when I was at my lowest point. And Mako; he was always by my side. Sure, we argued too much but we had each other's backs."
Shin said there silently as she continued.
"If my mind was clearer at the time, I wouldn't have taken their bending." She then turned to place a kiss on his cheek, "Thank you for listening. I must have been the least exciting assignment you have ever had?"
"No, it has been an interesting time working for you. I probably would have stayed in the palace and would have had to fight you when you barged in there. Being the only son of a nobleman is not exciting anyways." He took a moment to look at the people in the streets before speaking again, "So, can you show me this fighting place you participated in? Your friend spoke of matches tonight."
"You really want to see it?"
"Why not? As long as you can resist certain temptations, I would like to see something like that."
She looked back at the headstones, "Let me say goodbye and I'll take you over. It might be fun to watch them instead of lose them all."
She then stood and placed a hand on each stone. Soft whispers were heard. Shin watched her move from Asami's headstone to Mako's. She then pressed her forehead on it. The Lieutenant could hear her speak clearer now as she kissed the stone.
"I'll always love you Mako."
She lingered for a moment more before returning to Shin. Her arm went around his neck as she led him down the familiar streets.