反射

Book 1.5: Reflections

Chapter 3: Return to Air Temple Island

The wind whistled through Korra's dark-brown hair, her high-clipped 'wolf-tail' (or ponytail, as the latest fashion designers of the United Republic would call it), and two side-clipped pigtails swaying, the loose strands of her fringe blowing into her face. She cast an eye over at Tenzin, who sat at the helm of the large saddle holding the reins of Oogi, the flying bison upon which they sat.

The ocean sparkled far below in the rays of the early-afternoon sun. After a final dinner with Master Katara, the three senior White Lotus masters and her parents, Korra and Tenzin left the South Pole, and had spent the better part of two days flying north.

"Are we there yet?" she called in a bored voice, adjusting her high-collared light-blue vest.

Tenzin gritted his teeth. "For the hundredth time, no. Not yet."

Korra sighed and lay down at the edge of the saddle, draping her arm over the side to stroke Oogi's hide. The bison's white fur felt coarse and thick through her fingers, and she pondered her return to Republic City. She knew it had been coming, of course. People expected her to be the Avatar for them, after all. But was she really ready for it?

"If you need something to do, you should try meditating," her airbending master suggested over his shoulder. "It will help you spiritually, which is important for advancing to the next step in airbending."

"Spiritual connection, got ya," she replied nonchalantly. "Although if you remember, that's what I did all day yesterday. I guess I'm still not good at the whole sitting around thing."

It had been a frustrating experience for Korra the previous day as she meditated for hours on end in an effort to reconnect with her spiritual side. She tried focusing on the scenery she could see from Oogi's saddle to help calm her mind – the fluffy white clouds in the distance, the glittering jewel of the ocean far below, the rocky hills and rugged terrain of the southern Earth Kingdom. Disappointment always flooded through her when nothing happened.

The afternoon sea-breeze drifted through the air, bringing the smell of salt with it. Aside from the whistling of the wind, there was a short silence as the Water Tribe girl rummaged through a canvas bag tied to the saddle and produced two apples. She crawled up to the front of the saddle to hand one over to Tenzin.

"There's something I've wanted to talk to you about," he said. There was an expectant silence, which he took as his cue to continue. "After my mother tried to heal you, and you wandered off…"

Korra pursed her lips, not wanting to remember the time when she had reached her lowest point. When she had reflected on her duty as the Avatar, and contemplated…

"When we found you, you were in the Avatar State," Tenzin continued, oblivious to her warring thoughts. "Do you remember that?"

She sighed in frustration and fiddled with her three Water Tribe armbands absentmindedly. "No. Not really."

"Have you tried to do it again?"

"Of course I have! I've tried everything! But nothing happens. Or if it does… I can't remember anything."

"From what my father told me, the first time entering the Avatar State is a time of great turmoil. After all, you are calling upon the strength and memories of all the previous Avatars – of all your past lives."

"It just really sucks that I can't remember it," Korra said irritably. "But I… I feel as though I learned a really important lesson from it… I think." Trying to remember what had been learned seemed to be just beyond her grasp – like trying to hold water in her hands, only to have it slip through her fingers.

"It will come to you," Tenzin offered. "Just give it time."

"What you're saying is… I need to be patient." She sighed and sat in silence for a few moments, before looking forward again. "Are we there yet?"

He simply looked over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised.

"Right…" she smirked, reaching over to pet Oogi's side again. "Patient."

Several hours later, the western coast of United Republic's northwest continent gradually came closer, basking in the orange glow of the late-afternoon sun. Soon thereafter, Tenzin's sky bison began to cross into Yue Bay – the broad inlet of water, where Avatar Aang's dream for the world's centre of peace and balance had been settled along its shores.

Republic City.

The capital city of the United Republic of Nations, created from the Fire Nation colonies during the Harmony Restoration Movement, after the Hundred Year War. A large metropolis and modern urban centre, Republic City hosted significant high-rise development, suspension bridges and bustling citizens. The sprawling cityscape spread out as far as the eye could see, with the breathtaking local mountain range behind it. The grassy slopes of the mountains were capped in snow.

As Oogi crossed Yue Bay, Korra grinned in delight as she saw many familiar sights: the pagoda tower on Air Temple Island, the golden rising spires of the Pro-Bending Arena. Her smile faded, however, when she saw Aang Memorial Island, and the massive statue of the previous Avatar that stood watch over the bay.

Something else she immediately noticed were three battleships of the United Forces, docked at the shipping yard. It was a rude reminder of the fact that Republic City was still at war, despite the efforts of the Provisional Government to "carry on as normal".

The sky bison made a beeline for Air Temple Island, flying over the various pagoda-style wooden structures, pavilions, gazebos and bamboo gardens. The massive, six-legged beast settled down in the courtyard in front of the women's dormitory.

"I'm sure you remember where your old room is," Tenzin said as he dismounted. He came over to help Korra with her bag but she waved him off. "Go in and get settled, and then come and join us for dinner."

She nodded and slung her duffel bag over her shoulder as she made her way into the building. Shortly thereafter, she slid open a set of wooden screen doors down the hallway and smiled at the sight of her rustic bedroom again. She dumped her bag on the floor and lay down on the bed, folding her arms behind her head. However, her moment of peace was almost immediately interrupted when the screen door burst open.

"Korra! We heard you were back!"

"Yay! We really missed you!"

The smile on her face widened as she sat up and saw Tenzin's two young daughters rushing across the room toward her. "Hi Jinora! Hi Ikki!" She gathered them both in a hug. "I really missed you girls too."

"Weheardyouwerecomingbacktoda yandIwassolookingforwardtoit,andwecanallplaytogetheragain ,andhaveyouimprovedinyourairb ending?Youmust'vebeenreallypowerfultobeabletobeatthatbi gmeanmaskedguy,whatwashisnameagain?And – "

"Ikki, slow down," Korra laughed.

"She's been extra hyper lately after she found out that you were coming back to live with us," Jinora said. "I didn't know it was even possible."

"Hey! Don't talk about me as if I'm not here!" Ikki's shrill voice cried. She shot an indignant pout at her older sister, before grinning widely at Korra. "Anyway, we came to get you for dinner, so let's go go go! Eat eat eat!"

"Sounds good to me – I'm starving. Let's go!"

With that, the two airbender girls led Korra across the island. Evening was falling over the city, basking in the darkening twilight. Across the darkened water of the bay, the bright yellow lights of the city glittered like a swarm of fireflies. The three girls made their way past trees and gardens, to the incessant buzz of Ikki's chatter.

They soon came to a squat building which housed the dining hall, its interior decoration dominated by polished floorboards, wooden panels, and crimson wall banners. The group entered the family's private dining room, where they were met by the sight of Tenzin and his head-shaven five-year old son, Meelo, preparing the sunken table for the family meal.

"Korra!" Meelo shouted, zipping across the room to hug her tightly.

At that moment, Tenzin's wife; a slim, middle-aged woman with long brown hair done up in a bun; emerged from the kitchen, smiling widely. "Oh Korra, it's so good to see you again."

"It's great to see you too, Pema," she replied. "How's Rohan?"

The woman gestured to a collapsible cot in the corner of the room, where the baby lay sleeping.

"Aw, he's so cute," the Water Tribe girl cooed. "Have you found out whether he can airbend yet?"

"No, not yet," Tenzin replied, gesturing for her to sit down at the table. "But I have high hopes for him."

"Speak for yourself," Pema cut in, pouting slightly as she served up steamed rice and vegetables for everyone. "I'm telling you right now, four airbending kids are going to be more than we can handle!"

The family meal went late into the evening as they talked and joked and laughed. As the sky darkened, Korra found herself staring out the open window at the city across the bay, wondering how her friends were doing. She had not seen Mako, Bolin or Asami in several weeks, and really looked forward to catching up with them.

Soon, it was only her and Tenzin left in the hall as the others retired for the night.

"The Order of the White Lotus has sent word that the sentries will be arriving in a couple of days," he said, pouring her a steaming cup of jasmine tea. "And your polar-bear dog will be with them."

Korra nodded, her gaze once again drawn out the window, toward the bright lights across the water. "How are things over in the city?"

"As well as can be expected, considering we just came out of a full-scale revolution. But after what Noatak did, hundreds of people have lost their bending, and it's turned their way of life completely upside down."

"What about the Equalists?" she asked carefully, taking a sip of the scalding liquid from her teacup.

"Although there is still a strong anti-bender movement within the city, the Equalists have been branded as terrorists," Tenzin replied. "They have lost many of their supporters, and it's only a matter of time before their movement fails completely."

"There's something you're not telling me," Korra said. It was a statement, not a question.

Her mentor looked at her for a moment, before rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You are becoming more observant, and learning to take in more of the world around you. This is a good thing." When the teenager just frowned at his non-answer, he sighed. "The Equalists aren't the problem anymore. Although they have been all but defeated, their ideals still live on in the hearts of many. News of the revolution has reached Ba Sing Se. I received word from the Earth King that the Council of Five, his highest-ranking generals, recently had to put down an anti-bending rebellion there. It was minor, but people are still frightened."

"What can we do?"

Tenzin sighed. "I don't know. For now, all we can do is try to keep the peace, and my father's legacy, alive."

Later on that night, Korra lay in bed, listening to a jazzy tune on her radio as she contemplated resuming her training tomorrow – for real. She may not be the Avatar anymore, but she was still an airbender. With or without the other elements, she would still do everything she could to bring balance to the city.

Korra reached up to switch off the radio, but paused when she heard a hiss of static. It was almost as if the radio signal was being hijacked –

"My brothers and sisters," a deep voice issued from the speaker, distorted and heavily-layered. "The corrupt regime of this country says that the Equalist movement has failed, and that benders have prevailed. But I speak tonight to tell you that they are wrong."

The teenager's eyes widened in fear.

"The Equalists are as strong as ever. Although our former leader Amon was nothing but a fraud, the ideals of the movement still ring true. Our revolution only proved how weak benders are against us. With unity and strength, we will prevail in this war to claim Republic City as our own. Do not give up hope – our time will come."

The hissing static of the radio finally sputtered out.