AUTHOR'S NOTES: In light of some of the more recent novels that have come out, we learn a lot of "ugly truths" about several different Avatar incarnations. I will try and respect this canon when I am aware of it, although obviously there will remain some permanent deviations, what with this being a fanfic and all. Also, due to Korra's relationship situation with Mako and Asami being dramatically different than the show at this point, coupled with Korra's (somewhat) more mature and cautious personality means that events in these upcoming chapters might play out differently than the show.
Happy Reading!
BOOK THREE: WATER
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR: RETURN TO REPUBLIC CITY
Korra's friends were all willing to let Korra have her alone time to continue her meditation, and at the moment that was exactly what she needed as she cleared her mind and focused on drawing Avatar Yangchen to her. No sooner had she appeared before Korra immediately launched into an elaborate spiel before her predecessor could even react.
"You were just as much of a duplicitous liar as Avatar Imalek!" she barked, "The same woman that inspired your network of liars and renegades is the same woman you warned me against!"
"I never tried to deny it," Yangchen's posture and composition did not falter for even a moment. Korra wondered if that was because she was a spirit or if that was just how easily she was able to stay calm and collected. "Imalek was a great source of inspiration for me, as someone who ran into many of the same problems that she did. Word of my own treachery did not get out until long after everyone who knew me was dead, and so what were they going to do? Were they going to try and rewrite my history? Would they rewrite the woman who singlehandedly kept the peace into a villain? Frankly I wish they would at least give the old members of my network credit for their contributions, but that is neither here nor there. With your tribe on the brink of a civil war and with Harmonic Convergence approaching within a matter of weeks or even days, I do not imagine you called me here just to call me a liar to my face."
"I thought about it," Korra retorted, "but then how come you weren't condemned the way Imalek and the others were? If you had a network of spies and informants the way she did, how come she was condemned and you were not?"
"Time and results," Yangchen answered, "and a bit of good fortune, really, what with being born into the world in the state it was in. Unfortunately, power as a whole tends to corrupt. That is what puts the Avatar in such a dangerous position, and what separates the likes of Jafar, Kuruk, Kyoshi and I from the likes of Fa Su, Imalek, Zakura and Zeruda is that they were much more open in their deeds and didn't try to hide them. Purportedly, even Imalek had her deeds exposed, but there was no solid evidence to incriminate her, and so any charges that were attempted to be brought up against her were eventually dropped. Jafar and I were much more subtle and we played the game, not unlike how you want to even now. Here you are, about to call upon the most technologically advanced military to aid your cause, so assured that your cause is the righteous one."
"I'm no political expert," Korra's eyes narrowed, "but I'm pretty sure the side doing the illegal occupation of the other side is not the good guys in a conflict."
"Perhaps so," Yangchen hummed, "The Interregnum Avatars were from a day and age where the Avatar was blamed for everything, and perhaps that stuck with them harder than it was worth fighting off. Not all of us accepted that fate, but at the same time, almost every incarnation from Shigeru onward drew some inspiration for their balance-keeping tactics from one or more of the Interregnums. I could paint a horrifying picture of myself as well if that's what I wished to do, but I will leave it at that."
There was a moment of silence as Korra contemplated her next words. Had this been earlier in her life she might have been much more emotionally devastated, reminiscing back to the time when she reveled in being the Avatar and had dreams of godhood, even if said dreams were just the wild and hyperbolic fantasies of an imaginative little child. Instead, she opted for silence, to see how Yangchen would react, and within a moment, she got her answer.
"I suppose the biggest fundamental difference between people like us and the Interregnum Avatars is that while in both eras the Avatar has been a focal point of blame for many of the world's problems, we at least tried to paint a nicer picture of ourselves, while the Interregnums owned up to their crimes and did not repent of them. Perhaps in a way, they did not need to, but for better or worse, they were condemned to live with that blackened reputation, even to the point where their Avatar Statues in the Air Temples are marked."
"That part I did know," Korra gave a contemplative pout. "But at the end of the day, isn't the Avatar only human? Are we not as susceptible to flaws and vices as even the most mundane civilian without an inkling of bending power or combat training?"
"That's the right answer, Avatar Korra!" The smile Yangchen gave Korra was almost unnerving, and yet seemed to be filled with genuine excitement. "You have beaten me. Take it with you—all of it. Cherish that mindset, and know that the balance between human and spirit is what quintessentially defines an Avatar as a person, with all the natural strengths and flaws that come with it. You will without a shadow of a doubt become the most powerful Avatar who ever lived."
Korra did not seem as thrilled as she thought she might be when she heard those words. She once again reminisced back to her childhood where if someone had told her she would be the most powerful Avatar of all time, she would be beside herself with glee. Instead it made her pensive and cautious, but before she could speak to Yangchen again, she too disappeared into a familiar blue mist, causing Korra to huff in frustration for a moment.
Taking a deep breath, she returned to her meditative state for one last journey. She inhaled deeply, and sighed, closing her eyes and relaxing herself. Within a few moments, the spirit of Avatar Fa Su sat in front of her.
"So you've learned the truth about why we are the villains of history, have you?" the man seemed intrigued, "or how so many others beyond our time took inspiration from our deeds for better or for worse?"
"Perhaps that's all the more reason I want all of you to find peace," Korra admitted, "especially Zeruda, but all of you, really. At the end of the day, you were still just human. I can't say that excuses your crimes, but…"
"We did not ask for forgiveness, nor do we seek it." Fa Su shook his head, "we know what we did and we accepted it. It's not like the Avatar is the only man or woman who can or does commit crimes, after all. You who makes deals with the Triple Threat Triads should know this plenty well without me."
"Okay, maybe that wasn't the best idea I've had, but at the same time, it's better to have criminal organizations minimized than let them run amok." Korra reasoned.
"Of course." Fa Su actually agreed with her, "You do what you must to keep peace and balance in this world, in your time. That is what many of us did. We Interregnums were more forceful than most, but no matter what you do, and what your intentions are, the world will remember you in a way that is different from the truth. Avatar Jafar is often remembered by his alias Szeto. Avatar Yangchen and Avatar Kyoshi were both members of powerful criminal organizations, and both managed to cover it up. Roku was remembered by some as an indecisive coward who could not kill his friend, and yet for decades his courage and presence stayed Fire Lord Sozin's hand, and rather than flee when his island was destroyed, he made sure everyone else got to safety before attempting to fight off the eruption. Kuruk was remembered as an idle layabout, and yet he was cleaning up a huge spiritual mess that his predecessor left, and the toll his efforts took was what shortened his life so drastically. You might want to talk to him sometime about murderous spirits, by the way."
"So what's your point?" Korra felt like she knew the answer although she didn't want to hear it.
"I already said," Fa Su shook his head, "the world is going to judge you and remember you however they please regardless of your accomplishments. Some may remember you as a hero and others may remember you as a villain. Did you suspect that the world was at peace and in harmony when Zeruda marched on it? They were different times, from Kozue all the way to Zakura and Shigeru. The lesson here is to do what you will, and do what you believe to be right—or don't. You're the Avatar, and you are nigh-unstoppable. And if you are truly coming to me hoping the likes of Zeruda and I will be good moral compasses, then I recommend searching elsewhere, and doing so immediately."
No sooner had he said this than Fa Su vanished, leaving Korra with the conclusion that she had dreaded hearing, but that in her heart she knew was true. She wondered who would be able to stop her if she tried to put the Four Nations and the United Republic under her thumb. She was easily the single most powerful bender in the world, even without the Avatar State. If she called upon the might and strength of powerful elemental behemoths like the Interregnums, she could only imagine the type of impact she might have. She thought back to the lessons she had learned from Zaheer and the Red Lotus about becoming unstoppable and wondered if they would truly approve of her actions if she did become unstoppable, or if Nakkoa's paranoia about the Avatar having no checks or balances were merited.
"Did you find the answers you were after?" Asami's question after Korra stepped out back onto the main deck hit Korra like a sack of rocks, and yet she knew she couldn't lie to Asami—she had promised, after all.
"Yes and no," she pouted, "I spoke with several different incarnations and many of them said different things, and a lot of them weren't the people everyone thought they were."
"That doesn't sound good," Asami was keenly reading Korra's expressions and body language at this point even as she stood there calmly.
"I don't really give a damn about my reputation," Korra threw her arms out on either side of her, "I just want to help people… and if taking sides to prevent a military occupation is what I have to do, then that's what I'll do."
"Don't jump too hastily to that conclusion yet, Korra," Asami gestured out towards the sea, "we're not too far from Republic City. You were in there for a really long time."
"That explains why I'm so hungry and why I need to use the girls' room." Korra's knees knocked, and she bit her lip. Asami couldn't help but giggle.
"Well I won't keep you from fulfilling basic needs," she teased, "but can you answer me one more question before you do?"
"Sure, what's up babe?" Asami had a way of wrapping Korra around her finger without Korra even realizing it, even if she wasn't trying to.
"What did they tell you?" The question gave Korra pause again as she thought back to the truth about Yangchen and Jafar. She wondered who the real Fa Su and Imalek were. Was Kuruk really a spirit world hero who had whittled his lifespan down to 33 years all in the name of restoring balance behind the scenes? She knew Kyoshi regretted forming the Dai Li, but was Fa Su's claim of her being a member of a criminal organization actually true?
"They told me that the Avatar isn't perfect and that I'm going to be judged and even condemned no matter what path I take." Korra admitted, "I can't please everyone, but you know damn well that I'm still gonna try and help as many people as I can."
"My own father villainzed me for my compassion towards you," Asami took Korra's hands, "regardless of what people say, you know the truth about you, and I know the truth about you too—and that truth is that you're an incredibly compassionate and kindhearted woman who loves the people around her and shows it through her actions."
"Keep this up and I'm taking you to the girls' room with me," Korra playfully tugged Asami's arm, before leaning in to plant a little kiss on her cheek. "Thanks, love. You always have a way of saying exactly what I need to hear."
Korra did not contact any additional past lives for the remainder of her journey to Republic City, but at the same time she mentally noted that she wanted to talk to Kuruk and Zakura, both of whom Korra now believed were victims of their time more than the layabout and criminal mastermind she had been told they were. Perhaps "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" from Zakura's time had never fully died.
Whatever the case, soon Varrick's yacht had safely guided them into the port of Republic City, where the familiar lights, sights, and sounds greeted them as they arrived later in the evening. The city had made an astounding recovery from the Equalist attacks, and with the dazzling golden Probending Arena visible from the harbor it was almost as if it had never been destroyed or as if the city had never been bombed.
"I really need to thank you, Korra." Bolin finally confessed.
"For what?" Korra tilted her head as a familiar pout returned to her lips, "I started a civil war back in the Water Tribe, and I haven't had to save your ass for a while now. You've done good. What'd I do this time?"
"Eska and I are officially broken up now and I don't have to act like her plaything anymore!" Bolin flailed his arms. "And let me tell you just how relieving that is."
"Bo," Korra scratched the back of her head, "I don't wanna say that fawning over my cousins was the epitome of 'fuck around and find out', but you really put that theory into practice there."
"Like a guy can't make a few mistakes here and there," Mako quipped, "not to take sides here, Korra, but you spend a lot of time apologizing for your misdeeds too."
"Look, I never said I was perfect." Korra shook her head, "I'm just glad Bolin's learned his lesson, and more importantly that he's safe."
"Welcome home, Avatar," Lin was there to greet them, although based on her expression she did not seem too happy. "Thanks for starting a war."
"I didn't start a war!" Korra huffed, "okay I guess technically I did but it's way more complicated than you're making it seem."
"Mako," Lin did not humor Korra with a response, "I want you back on the beat, stat. There's going to be a Southern Water Tribe peace march tonight and I need you there to help make sure things don't get out of hand."
"That bad, huh?" Korra pondered the potential repercussions of a protest if it turned into a riot, and while she knew she should be neutral in an ideal situation, her homeland bias and Red Lotus style hatred of tyranny had slanted her in a way she could not reconcile so easily.
"That bad," Lin actually responded to this, "you should probably sit this one out, Avatar."
"Not to start a fight or anything," Mako stepped up as he noticed Korra take a step forward, "but I've gotta side with the Chief on this one, Korra. I know the South is your home but doesn't the Avatar at least have to maintain a pretense of neutrality or something?"
"But I'm not neutral!" Korra spread her arms, "The North invaded my home! Even if I didn't come from there, I'd still take the side of the oppressed here. That'd be like saying I should stay neutral while the Fire Nation invades the western Earth Kingdom! Really, the only reason I'm even here at all is to get the United Republic to send troops to the South!"
She fought hard to suppress a voice in her head, whispering about the schemes of her past lives such as Yangchen, Kyoshi, Imalek, Fa Su, Jafar, or even a more forceful entity like Serénez. The Avatar being a neutral entity was a myth the more she thought about it, and it made her wonder who had invented that lie. Had it been an Avatar incarnation trying to clear the cycle's name, or had it been righteous sages or priests that saw the best in such a dangerous entity? She was only snapped out of these thoughts when Lin brought her back to reality.
"Hmph," Lin's eyes rolled and might as well have spelled out her disdain. "Good luck on that."
"Don't worry," Varrick beamed, "Zhu Li's already scheduled a meeting with President Raiko tomorrow. We'll get them on board… in the meantime, I'm dying for a pedicure."
And just like that, Varrick turned to leave. Mako shrugged and flicked his hand as a sort of farewell to Korra and Asami, who turned to each other.
"I should probably check up on my factory," Asami chewed her lip, "wanna come along?"
"Of course, babe," Korra's expression lightened. "I'm gonna need a bit at some point to find out more about this peace march, but I've got time. Wanna tag along, Bo?"
"I'm good," Bolin fidgeted, "I just gotta figure out what to do with myself in the meantime."
"Come on, Bo," Mako gestured, "you can figure it out."
"Keep Varrick in line," Korra teased, although a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach was almost trying to warn her about the influence Varrick had. Money could do a great many things, especially in Republic City, and if anything, she realized she might have to call upon Lightning Bolt Zolt and a few other friends in case Varrick—or anyone else, for that matter—really did need to be kept in line.