Korra couldn't believe that she was actually in the Spirit World. She was always told that as the Avatar, she served as a bridge between it and the physical world but had never really believed it. She was too busy thinking about beating up bad guys to worry about spiritual stuff. Now,it was clear just how wrong that had been.
"It's so beautiful" she gasped out. Aang chuckled. "Yeah,it is after you spend over a decade of your after-life here but when you're twelve and discover you can't bend after you first arrive, it can be pretty scary. " The last part of Aang's sentence made Korra gasp in shock. "WHAT!?"
The female Avatar franticly tried fire bending and earth bending but neither occurred. She felt a great fear rise up in her as though her worst nightmare had come true. She turned back to her predecessor with a look of anger and horror on her face. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?""
"Calm down" Aang said with a small smile "the spirit world isn't made from the four elements like the physical one. There's nothing to bend here so bending doesn't exist. There are exceptions however as you will soon see."
Aang then took some sort of whistle from his robe and blew. For a moment,nothing happened until a sky-bison's roar was heard. Korra watched in amazement as a large white bison unlike what she seen on Air l Temple Island appeared overhead and landed before the two Avatars. "I-is that Appa?" Korra stammered, trying to recall her visions. "The one and only" Aang replied cheerfully as he walked over to greet his animal guide. Korra couldn't help but notice the way Aang smiled and the affectionate way he stroked Appa's fur. She was instantly reminded of Naga and hoped her best friend was all right.
"You coming Korra?" Aang's voice shook the female Avatar from her thoughts. "Right,sorry." Aang helped Korra onboard and turned towards the Spirit World horizon with a nostalgic grin. "Appa,yip yip!"
With a grunt, Appa took off. Spirit World magic helped him fly despite having no air bending. Korra couldn't help but be amazed at the experience. She had riden Oogi before but it had never felt like this.
After a few minutes of flying, Aang turned to Korra with a slight smile. "You know, where we're going is quite far and just flying is outright dull. Care to chat and pass the time?" "Really?" Korra had never thought her past life would speak to her other than to offer wisdom and advice but Aang had already proven to be much more easy going than she ever imagined.
"Really" Aang replied kindly "you listened to my story and I've waited years for you to contact me so why not?" Korra smiled a bit. She actually did have several questions that she was beginning to doubt she would ever be able to ask. "Okay, first off,no offense but why is Tenzin such a stiff? Master Katara was always fun to be around and you're…you so how come you two had such a serious son?
Aang laughed. "I couldn't tell you really but he was always like that. He actually did annoy me and his mom sometimes with it but I couldn't help but be proud of him and his dedication to the Air Nomad ways. I still am."
"Yeah but he can be so strict sometimes. He told me that air was the element of freedom but he wouldn't even let me listen to a pro-bending match during my first few days on the island." "Freedom is actually pretty subjective" Aang said wisely "for Tenzin, freedom came from no longer being burdened."
"Burdened by what?" "By being the word's only air bender after I died. He knew he had to repopulate a lost Nation and that pressure almost kept him from mastering his element. It was also one reason his relationship with Lin broke apart. She wasn't ready for children and Tenzin needed to have them. The fact that their kids might have been earth benders didn't help matters."
Korra processed this info for a moment and came to a conclusion. "So Tenzin didn't master air bending until Jinora was born?" Aang nodded. "Don't mention it to him though as it's a rather sore subject just like Lin. I don't mind telling you that it was sad seeing them break up." "I'm sure it was but Pema's not bad. She's actually pretty cool most of the time but her love advice sure needs work."
Aang caught the bitterness in his successor's voice and hmmed thoughtfully. "Oh yes, Mako. Sorry you went through that." "How did-?"
"I'm a part of you Korra" Aang replied "I see,hear,and know everything you do. I'm also aware of many other things and I'd like to be frank with you about something if I could." "Uh…sure?" "Mako is not the right one for you."
Korra blinked in confusion. She hadn't been expecting that at all. "What?" "I don't think Mako's right for you Korra, I'm sorry."
"Hey, I'll have you know Mako's a great guy. He's an awesome fire bender and he's handsome and he loves me, he's just confused and Asami needs him right now. HE's MY KATARA AANG!"
Aang raised an eyebrow. "Your Katara huh? I've seen Mako in action Korra and I know he was rude to you from day one." Korra thought about this a second. It was true, Mako was really rude and condescending towards her for weeks when they first met. Even her Avatar Status didn't earn her much respect at first. When they first met and he used her formal title, he said it as though she was beneath him and that she was blessed that he even acknowledged her. He complimented her after their first Pro Bending Match but this was after saying she would make him look like a fool if she played. After this compliment,he immediately went back to rude remarks and a condescending attitude. They had gotten along well enough to save Bolin but he was still distant and she had never been thanked or even had her help acknowledged. She didn't know why she thought of this now but Aang's words stirred something in her.
"Okay, but things got better between us eventually and even then, he actually liked me a lot." "Are you so sure? Do you know where he was while you were traumatized by Amon or even challenged him to a duel? I do." Aang snapped his fingers and an image formed within the "sky" of the Spirit World of Mako and Bolin at practice. "No Korra at practice today?" Bolin asked with a note of sadness in his voice.
"Looks like it" Mako grunted in annoyed tone. Bolin's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Do you think she's okay?" Mako snorted. "Oh, I'm sure she is, probabley living it up as the Avatar and being waited on hand and foot while we struggle for fifty-thousand yuans. Maybe it's good we won't make the tournament this year if all we have is her. Even Hasook would be better at this point." The image faded and Korra was shocked. Was he really so indifferent to her if she wasn't his team mate? After all she had done to help him get that far and helping to save his brother? The scene changed to show Mako meeting Asami and Korra couldn't help but notice how the usually stoic Mako drooled over her and how much more polite and open he was with her than he was with the female Avatar. In fact, Mako only started to really be nice to her when he was with Asami. The scene showed Mako and Bolin reading about Korra's task force missons and hearing her announce her challenge to Amon. While Bolin was concerned for her, Mako would shrug it off and prepare for his dates with Asami. As she watched, Korra was hurt and confused. If he really thought she was so amazing,why did he ignore her for so long?
Korra thought that because of his friendliness towards her when she returned ,it mean that maybe she had a chance and for a while now,she thought she had been right. She had believed he was torn between his love for her and Asami. She thought she was amazing. The more she thought, the sadder she became and she began to cry. Aang saw this and landed Appa immediately to embrace her in a hug. "I'm so sorry Korra ,I just thought you deserved to know."
"I-I should have known he didn't like me that way. He probably just told me that because he didn't wanna hurt me. I mean,why would he want a girl like me when he had a girl as beautiful and perfect as Asami. The kiss probably didn't mean anything either."
As Korra sobbed, Aang raised her head up to look at her. "Korra,listen to me, you are a beautiful young woman inside and out. I don't think you fully understand what I've shown you. Mako has actually been playing both you and Asami for a while now and hoarding your affections for one reason or another. Don't you remember all those horrible accusations he made?"
Korra remembered. After her night out with Bo, Mako accused her of using his brother to get back at him, acting quite jealous for a guy who claimed he didn't like her that way. What she had said in return was a bit too bold and uncalled for,she now admitted but had Mako really told her to get over herself after using "you did all this to get to me" as an argument? And then, when Hiroshi Sato was under investigation, he actually used this argument again and threatened to end their friendship. Wasn't Bo supposed to be the immature one?
"But if that's true then what about Asami? Does he even really want to help me protect the city?" "Well,yes ,he's not a complete monster but as for Asami, let me show you what your friends are doing right now." Korra watched the new Team Avatar invade the Equalist base looking for her along with Lin and Tenzin. " As she was about to ask why, Aang said "Tarrlok planted fake evidence and said Equalists captured you. Now watch Bolin and Asami."
Korra did and saw how Mako was all but brushing Asami aside and screaming out his affection for her. Not long ago,she would have loved this and perhaps boasted of it just to watch Asami cry but now,she was disgusted. Hadn't she asked Mako to support Asami after the later had given up everything to stand with them? She then saw Bolin confess about the kiss that she and Mako shared. So, Mako had said nothing? He was content to have two women fawn over him? The more,she thought,the angrier Korra became at Mako and herself. She had drooled over the fire bender for months and practically begged him for a date while Mako probably laughed at her behind her back the whole time and wooed Asami so she would spoil him with her wealth and affection. How had she been so blind? Had she really fallen for Mako based on looks and bending skills? That type of shallowness made her look even prissier than she accused Asami of being.
"I am an idiot" Korra lamented to Aang as the vision ended "Mako had me whipped this entire time! I guess I should have figured any guy into me had some motive." Aang smiled gently. "You're wrong Korra, someone loved you very much, you just never noticed." Aang showed Korra images of Bolin trying to flirt with her,giving her gifts,and even having belching contests with her before finally showing Bolin telling her "you're the smartest, funniest, toughest ,toughest,buffest,talented-est,incredible-est girl in the world!" She had heard this before but now she felt something different. She didn't quite know what it was until a new scene of Mako & Bolin conversing appeared. Mako said that while Korra would be a fine girlfriend for him, being with Asami made more sense. Korra felt her blood boil when she heard that and it only got worse when Mako dismissed her as "a pal" when Bolin wanted to date her. She then heard Bolin call her "beautiful" while listing the reasons they would be great together and it clicked: Bolin was the one for her, he always had been. But then she grew angry with herself again.
"IDIOT! IDIOT! I AM A COMPLETE IDIOT!" Korra cursed herself while Aang watched "I had a great guy who was crazy about me right in front of me and I chose that jerk bender!" Aang couldn't help but chuckle at how the expression had caught on. Sokka would be pleased.
But then Korra grew sad. "But I've already lost him, he's over me. "No he isn't Korra" Aang replied "he never stopped loving you but he wants you and Mako to be happy. After you defeat Amon ,you can sort things out with everyone."
Korra thought for a second and a new determination filled her. "YEAH! I'll master air bending,kick Amon's butt, kick Mako's butt, apoligise to Asami,and sweep Bo off his feet." Aang laughed. "No pressure though." "Thanks Aang" Korra said with a gracious smile "why did you tell me this though? You didn't have to."
"Love is hard when you're young" Aang replied "believe me I know. Besides,we Avatars have to stick together." The Air Nomad Avatar winked and Korra giggled before a new thought occurred to her. Aang,what about Tarrlok? If you guys took him in,how did he end up the way he did?" "That's a question for later. Right now, you've got an important task ahead."
Korra nodded. "Right, let's get going wherever we need to go." Aang smiled and said "that won't be necessary, we're already here. Welcome to the Avatar Realm."
An: This was originally gonna be the last chapter but plans changed. It looks like this is gonna be fourteen chapters before the end. Okay,I know I'm probably gonna catch Hell from Makorra fans for this chapter but as much as I try for the sake of respecting opinions, I can't support the character or the pairing. I have no problem if you like Mako but I think his jerkiness should at least be acknowledged if nothing else. I honestly do hope his character will improve in future Korra seasons but I'm not holdin' my breath. I'm a Borra shipper and anti-Makorra and I doubt it will really change. Big thanks to Silver Omega 01 and the Storywizard. R/R.
