"The Avatar Realm?" Korra gazed in wonder at the statues of previous Avatars lined up before her starting with Gaia, the First, followed by Beta of the Air Nomads, Kenya of the Water Tribes, Geo of the Earth Kingdom, Zuria of the Fire Nation, and all other Avatars throughout history. Korra knew them all but at the same time, she didn't. Aang smiled. "Yep, it's a realm known only to Avatars and no other spirit may set foot here or know it exists. Gaia, the First created it at the same time as she created the Avatar Cycle to serve as inspiration and protection for all who would follow her in keeping the balance. It's usually only shown to fully realized Avatars but I think we can make an exception in your case. Come on, the Temple of Elements is right this way."
Korra wordlessly followed her predecessor down the long row of Avatar statues ,taking note of the more familiar incarnations like Roku, Kyoshi, and Aang himself as they reached the end. It was there that they saw a massive temple with four sides: one made of stone, one made of water, one made of wind, and the other made of fire. Aang led Korra inside and she found it almost identical to Tenzin's home. "This is it?" Korra asked, rather unimpressed "it's kind of lame."
"It changes based on the will of which Avatar visits" Aang explained "I choose to model it after the Southern Air Temple where I grew up." Realising what she had said, Korra started to apoligise but Aang held up a hand. "It's alright, the décor is unimportant. What is important is that within this temple,you can bend. Go ahead and test it out."
Korra did so, first shooting off a series of flame punches and kicks before forming a water whip with a nearby fountain and spashing a section of wall. She then used earth bending to rip away a section of temple floor and form twin boulders before shattering them. "Thank goodness,I can bend again" Korra breathed a sigh of relief as the temple repaired itself "what's next? I'm ready for anything now" the female Avatar puffed out her chest with renewed confidence.
"Now we meditate" Aang replied simply. Korra's puffed out chest deflated. "What?" "Don't worry" Aang replied "it's not what you think." Korra trusted Aang this far and decided to do so now. She sat down and assumed meditation stance as Aang instructed her.
"Air is the element of freedom and one must experience freedom to master air bending. You yourself have never know true freedom both in the physical sense and the spiritual sense. You have always been weighed down by the expectations of not only others but yourself as well. You want to be a good Avatar but you feel you can't measure up to me or be the Avatar everyone expects. Let go of these feelings, clear them from your mind and try to think of anytime you at least felt free."
Korra did so and surprising, these thoughts came easier than expected. She first thought of water bending and the graceful flow of her native element as it constantly moved and constantly changed, never staying on one set course. She loved the way it felt to bend water and how it was similar to air in it's nature.
From there, she thought of her mentor, Master Katara. The woman was so unlike her other teachers who demanded much and gave little compliments no matter how much progress she made. Katara treated her as she would her own children, loving her and never giving up on her as though Korra were her own. Korra could still feel that same love whenever she bent her native element, no matter how far away she was. From there, she thought of Naga, her trusted animal guide who was her only true friend besides Katara. From childhood, they had been inseparable and their bond of loyalty and friendship grew stronger with each passing day.
Finally, she thought of Bolin. Until today ,he had only been just a friend but a good friend. He had liked her even before her Avatar Status was revealed and didn't mind that she was not as feminine or beautiful as Asami. He had embraced her temperament and fiery spirit when others chose to clash with it or rebuke it. He had even chosen not to blame her for his heartbreak. He loved Korra for being Korra and just Korra. All these things from the feeling of bending water to the unconditional love of her dearest friends , filled Korra's entire being and she felt the weight of her responsibities melt away. At that same time, she felt a gentle breeze blow through her hair and opened her eyes to find wind swirling around her.
"Is this…air bending?" Aang smiled. "Congratulations Korra, you're on your way to becoming a fully realized Avatar." "But how?"
"You were able to feel true freedom and detach yourself from your concerns. Tenzin will still need to help you master air bending but the block is gone and gone for good, Care for a quick test run?" The female Avatar grinned in response.
"Let's do this!" Korra shouted excititedly as she ran through every air bending form she had perfected thus far and was delighted to see actual air bending occur at last. The goal she had desired for months was finally within her grasp. Overcome with joy, she actually hugged Aang, who smiled fondly in return.
"Thank you Aang, for everything." "All I did was help you achieve the right emotional state" Aang replied humbly "you are the one who managed to finally connect with your spiritual side. Now it's time to send you back to the physical world," "But I have more questions! What about Amon? How did he get his power? How can I stop him?"
Aang merely smiled. "I can't tell you everything kiddo but I know you can beat him. As long as you stay true to yourself, to being Korra, then there's nothing you can't accomplish. You will also have the new Team Avatar at your side and I will always be with you should you ever need me. Stay strong Avatar Korra and the next time you see Tenzin and Katara, tell them I send my love." With that, an immense whirlwind filled the temple, obscuring everything. The last thing Korra saw before her vision became blurred was Aang winking at her.
…
When Korra could see straight again, she was back in her cell. A new feeling of confidence surged through her as she stood up and performed an air slice. The cell door was instantly torn from it's hinges and slammed into a wall. Korra grinned evily; Tarrlok wouldn't know what hit him.
AN: ONE CHAPTR LEFT! Big thanks to Silver Omega 01, the Storywizard, and everyone else who reviewed ,faved or or put an author alert on me. R/R and I'll see you all in a day or two for the final chapter.
