AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is truly a "calm before the storm" chapter, as the conflict between Korra and Tarrlok begins to grow. Korra's emotional situation is still precarious, and dealing with untreated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is taking it's toll. Korra's very high-functioning, but she's still not fully right in the head. She's also particularly hard on herself though, so there's still hope—and of course, she's got her own Team Avatar to cover her.
Happy Reading!

BOOK TWO: CHANGE

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE: THE RETURN OF TEAM AVATAR

Korra gazed out across the bay again, letting her tears congregate on the corners of her jawbones, where they amassed and tumbled into her lap.

"What if Tarrlok's right?" She muttered to no one in particular, assuming she was alone, "what if I am just a stupid little kid?" Korra's age had always bothered her, and the more she delved into being the Avatar and into dealing with the growing sociopolitical conflicts that plagued Republic City, the more it irked her even more. The world wanted a powerful Avatar, but when their powerful Avatar came with mental and emotional issues that any normal human being was also technically prone to, she was thrown away and left by the wayside. Very few people understood or had any respect for the notion that emotional and psychological trauma could have a devastating effect on the delicate adolescent mind, which was only exacerbated by the fact that Korra didn't fully understand what was wrong with her either. She used to always fall back to blaming Nakkoa, but over the last several months she realized that Amon had wormed his way into her mind as well to wreak havoc, and now he was joined by Hiroshi Sato. For all those times when she managed to keep her feelings and fears under control, there were rare occasions when they would all surge at once and simply overwhelm her.

"I wonder how easy it would be just to get rid of myself and let the cycle start off in a better place and under the watchful eye of a better individual…" she muttered, tears still slowly running down the sides of her face as she remained distant and despondent.

"Hey now, that's crazy talk!" Bolin's voice startled Korra, who wiped her tears as Pabu came out of nowhere and jumped up into Korra's lap and then her arm. "Come on… are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Korra lowered her head, although considering that she had (however briefly) just contemplated suicide, even Bolin realized there was something wrong.

"Korraaaa…" Bolin gestured, "you know we're both terrible liars."

"Come on, Korra," Mako encouraged her, "you don't have to pour out every deep dark secret to us like you might with Asami, but we're here to help. You can tell us what's up. Ending your life is definitely not the answer though—please don't even consider that again."

"Yeah, that'd be horrible," Bolin added in agreement, "But for reals: even if we can't exactly do anything about it, sometimes it's nice just to have friends who'll listen to you vent it out. That's what friends are for, Korra! So c'mon, let's hear it."

"It's just…" Korra gritted her teeth and shut her eyes, "How am I supposed to save this city when I can't even control my own emotions," she paused and put a hand to her forehead, "I know all these cool and powerful Avatar abilities and some advanced techniques that none of my past lives even recall learning, and yet all it takes is a few cutting words and I'm floored. What kind of weak Avatar does that make me if someone can turn me into a wreck without even using any bending? If people can provoke me into the Avatar State with mere taunts, what does that say about my lack of control and my blatant weakness?"

"Now hey," Asami pointed out as she joined the brothers, "I might not know a thing about your past lives, but if they're as human as anyone else, then odds are they're not going to tell you about their everyday weaknesses and struggles. A life lesson or two kind of like what my father used to say might show up now and again, but do you really think over the thousands of years that the Avatar has existed, that none of them ever had personal or emotional struggles, Korra? The other night as we fled my estate… when I lost control and cried on your shoulder… I could see it in your eyes how much it hurt you—and yet you steeled yourself; you stayed strong and selflessly were there for me. The money you gave to Mako and Bolin—and even to Kwan the mechanic—who I suppose I owe a favour thanks to her help in getting my things from my house... Korra, whether you realize it or not, you've got an enormous and beautiful selfless streak. You like to help people, and you get frustrated when you feel helpless. There's nothing shameful about that to me."

"Giving you guys money that I'd never spend isn't that big a deal," Korra shrugged.

"You've done a lot more than that," Mako pointed out, "and hey, Hiroshi might have been a real nasty dude—no offense, Asami—but look what he did with a small wad of cash that someone gave him. It might seem like pocket change when your whole room is covered in it, but to us—that was the difference between going hungry for a weekend and having enough money for food and supplies for an extra month."

"Sometimes it really is the little things, Korra" Bolin added, "those nights at Narook's really made my week, for example. Even just taking time out of your day to come support us at our Probending matches was nice. Speaking of which—Hasook said hi. He and his family have been lying real low ever since the attack on the arena."

"Good," Korra nodded, "I'm glad he's okay."

"And there's another of your merits, Korra," Mako pointed out, "When you befriend someone, you care about them deeply. There's a certain fire in your eyes that I personally think is beautiful. It's kind of a shame Asami beat me to you, huh?"

"Flatterer," Korra couldn't help but chuckle as she rose to her feet and wiped a tear away.

"Even Avatar Aang had a group of friends with him that helped him save the world when he was a kid," Bolin reminded her, "Who's to say you don't deserve the same treatment? Mako, me, Asami… we'll be your Team Avatar!" he extended his hand.

"I support the notion," Asami cooed, putting her hand atop Bolin's.

"As do I," Mako added, his hand topping Asami's, "We've got your back, Korra; and together I know that we can help resolve this Equalist crisis and save the city."

"Alright then," Korra's smile started out weak but grew much more lively and genuine after she put her hand atop the others, "Let's do it."

"Time to paint the town red!" Bolin threw his fist into the air. "Well, technically time to stop the Equalists from doing that, but you know…"

"Then it's time to one-up Tarrlok's stupid task force and put him in his place."

Of course, there was much more meticulous planning than this, and so the team was busy patrolling the city during the day to pick up any information they could about the Task Force, the Equalists, and even the Triads. Incidentally, it was during this time that Asami stopped by Kwan's Collision Repair to finally have a word with one of the women who had wronged her family all those years ago.

"Welcome to…" Kwan began, before her face dropped as she recognized who had just entered. "Ahh, shit. Welp, you finally found me, Sato. What's it gonna be?"

"When I first saw your face at the police station all those years ago," Asami began, "I was crushed, and I was furious. At six years old, I wanted nothing more than to wrap my hands around your neck and squeeze the life out of you, your sister, and everyone else there."

"Well," Kwan shrugged a shoulder, "if it's any consolation, I'm the only one from that group that's still alive today. There was a lotta backstabbing and intrigue among the Agni Kais for a while, the police did some of the others in, and your girlfriend killed my sister—so that just leaves me."

"Living with Korra taught me several things over the years," Asami put her hands on the counter, looking down at the stout earthbender, who, despite being more than twice Asami's age, was several inches shorter than her. "Foremost, that sometimes good people do bad things. Other times, bad people can have good intentions."

"So which one am I?" Kwan was still half-expecting to be electrocuted, considering that she just noticed the Equalist gloves on both of Asami's hands.

"I'm not fully sure yet," Asami admitted, "because I want to get to know you myself rather than rely on Korra's word. She trusts you though, and given how mad she was at my dad when he betrayed me… she tends to have pretty good judgment."

"Korra's a great kid," Kwan agreed, "she gets in a bit over her head sometimes, but she means well. Really, it's her that you gotta thank for gettin' your things over to the island. I only helped after she asked me to."

"But you still helped," Asami pointed out, "and while I may not be able to forgive what you did, I can at least forgive and respect you for your efforts to turn your life around."

"You have no idea," Kwan shook her head, "I'm 37, and I've been living a life of crime for well over 25 of those years."

"25!?" Asami's eyes widened, "That means you've been…"

"On and off since I was 9; I've only had 3 clean years since then, hence 25 and not 28." Kwan admitted, "Age 9 was when my first petty crime was anyways. All but my 11th, 12th, and 15th years since then have either been as a criminal or in the slammer. Then there was the whole debacle with the Triads, and then the Red Lotus after that. Years in and out of prison and it was only after my sister went nuts that I realized how dumb my life choices were. Korra didn't deserve half of what we put her through, although she's usin' most of that power pretty well in my opinion. Anyways, I'll spare you the sob story. Long story short, I knew there's no way an ex-con like me would ever find a job, so I became an entrepreneur. Here I am."

"I'd say you've done a good job so far in turning your life around," Asami smiled.

"What, a few months without even counting the two years I spent in the lockup after realizing that a criminal life wasn't for me?" Kwan laughed, "which is better: to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"

"Mmm…" Asami hummed, "I'd say it depends on how much of that evil nature was overcome."

"I knew I liked you, Sato," Kwan smirked, "but hey. Not that someone like you would really need anything fixed considerin' that I betcha do it all yourself, but if you ever need anything done… or anything moved… I'm just a call away… or here since my flat's the next floor up. Staying hidden in plain sight is basically what I do, and it's kept the Equalists from strippin' my bending, to say the least. Well, and I've helped keep Broody and his family safe."

"Broody?" Asami tilted her head.

"Oh; Hasook, my bad;" Kwan laughed, "I've got a subconscious penchant for nicknamin' people and I often forget not everyone knows 'em. Still, my offer stands."

"I'll keep that in mind." Asami smiled. "I might need a bit more time before my emotions figure themselves out and I know what to think of you… but right now I think you're a good-natured woman at heart, Ikiza. Hopefully I'm not wrong; I learned recently that I don't take betrayal very well, and Korra seems to particularly hate it."

"And there's the ultimatum," Kwan threw her arms up, "You win, Sato. You win."

It was a few nights later that Team Avatar first decided to hit the town, and while Korra and the brothers armed themselves with their bending, Asami did not have such a luxury, and so she accessorized in other ways.

"I figure one way to fight Equalists is with Equalist weapons," She brandished a pair of electroshock gloves, "ah, but the things I could do with my dad's old workshop…"

"Awesome!" Korra invited them all onto Naga's back, "Let's ride!"

Unfortunately for them, Naga was having none of this idea, and so only seconds after the crew had hopped up on her back, she leaned forward, causing them to slide forward, with Korra's face hitting the ground first, with Asami behind her, and then Mako, and Bolin on top of the pile.

"Alright, scratch that." Korra grunted, ignoring the fact that she was pretty sure Asami had grabbed her breasts as they braced for the fall, "Anyone have any other ideas?"

"Thanks to a particular someone," Asami raised a finger, "I think I've got just the thing..."

Asami led them to a nearby nondescript garage that she opened and disappeared into, before emerging in style with a flashy car. Korra wondered who between her and Kwan was the better driver, and perhaps would one day find out. For now, she couldn't help but be proud of her girlfriend for this accomplishment.

"Think this'll do?" She looked at the others.

"I like the new Team Avatar's style already," Bolin grinned. He, Korra, and Mako didn't need to even be told to hop in the car.

"Seems your little lavabender friend knows her way around a garage, Korra," Asami commented as they took off into town, "She's been quite useful for me lately."

"I was wondering how you got the car," Korra hummed. "I don't imagine that your dad or the Equalists are exactly going around giving out donations."

"It's not theft if it's Sato property being acquired by a Sato…" Asami hummed, "food for thought."

"Calling all units, level four alert!" The radio suddenly came on.

"Oh" Asami commented, "my dad had police scanners installed in all of his cars. After the ordeal the other night, I guess now I know why."

They listened to the report before Asami diverted her course to catch the culprits: Equalist convicts who had busted out of jail. Within a couple of minutes they nearly slammed into the Equalists in question, who were on motorcycles flanking a large truck.

"I got this." Korra stood up and focused a combustion beam at the base of the road by the bike, blasting it clean off its course. She aimed another one at a 2nd motorcycle, but so precise was the bola that the man threw that it nearly blew Asami's car off course with how close the explosion had come.

"Maaaaybe ease up a bit on that, Korra?" Bolin suggested.

"I'm with him on that one," Asami added, "but Korra; Bolin, give me a ramp!"

With a couple deft movements from their fists, Korra and Bolin earthbent the road beneath them, launching the team over the truck entirely. One of the motorcycles that had fallen behind came up behind them, but a quick lightning bolt to the face courtesy of Mako had the goon falling back rather than continuing his pursuit. Bolin took out a 3rd one with a barrage of rocks while Korra iced the road in front of two more. Even with five gone though, there were still another four or five that were getting away. They launched a smokebomb that obscured the view, but while her friends struggled to get a clear view, Asami managed to keep them in her sights thanks to her goggles. They attempted to give Team Avatar the slip by taking a sharp turn, but Asami was having none of that.

"Hold onto your butts." Asami muttered as Korra, Mako, and Bolin clung to the car. Asami drifted sharply down the same road, before she floored it and straight-up rammed the motorcyclists. Mako and Bolin attacked, but one of them sprung up and chi-blocked Bolin's arm while the other pinned Mako's arms with a pair of bolas. He attempted to pull Mako out of his seat, but Korra seized him, slammed his face against the metal of the car before chucking him behind her. This was made more impressive by the fact that she had just lifted and thrown a grown armoured man with just one arm. After Mako was freed, he and Bolin made quick work of the other one. With the cyclists out of the way, approaching the getaway truck was a lot easier. Asami pulled right up next to it, allowing Mako to electrocute the driver. It only took a few moments for the truck to lose control and crash.

It did not take long for reporters and photographers to arrive on the scene as the group recovered most of the unconscious criminals, who were bound and detained until police arrived. Much to Korra's vindictive pleasure, Tarrlok was at the helm, and even better was that he had a sour look on his face.

"Avatar Korra, what do you think you're doing?" he scowled.

"Walking the walk, since there's a certain someone who can't seem to keep up," Korra retorted, "by the way, nice of you to finally show up. If we had waited for you these guys would be halfway to Ba Sing Se by now."

"This is your last warning, girl," Tarrlok frowned, "stay out of my way!"

There was little he could do at this point since no one could argue with Korra's results.

"Drinks tonight at Port Town?" Korra offered. "On me!"

"Port Town?" Mako and Asami looked curious. Bolin surprisingly did not, as if he had been there at least once before.

"Oh, it's this sweet little dive in the Wind District," Korra beamed. "C'mon, it'll be fun!"

While Korra had pondered Tarrlok's warning in the back of her mind, she set it aside for now. They had just one-upped the corrupt councilman, and beat him at his own job. That, to Korra, was as good an excuse to celebrate as any. It was a nice feeling—augmented further by the realization that Bolin was right: this was her Team Avatar, and that they would have her back the same way Aang's friends had backed him up in his times of need.