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Beta: Chaos-PSD.

Book Four

Balance

Chapter I

After All These Years.

Republic City is a place of hopes, dreams, and spirit wilds. This metropolis truly has something for everyone. Visit air temple island, the hub for all air benders as they travel the world helping others. Or take a stroll through the beautiful avatar Korra Park, named in honor of you-know-who. We've missed her these past three years and we can't wait to welcome her home. Get well soon, Korra.

And of course, you'll want to see our most unique attraction, The spirit wilds. Here spirits and people live harmoniously together. Yes sirree, this town is truly on the up and up. Come be a part of the action in Republic City.

Republic City, Three Years Later.

"And of course, my biggest thanks goes to Asami Sato and Future Industries. She brought our old central terminal into the modern era."

Raiko said to Asami who had her long hair in a low ponytail wearing a red shirt and black skirt.

Narutos in the crowd in front beside Tenzin and his family. Naruto's hair is shorter and spikier and he's wearing his Task Force armor.

Tenzin has his youngest on his shoulder who has black hair.

Tenzin's wearing a red bodysuit with gray under the arms. All three of his older kids are wearing the same bodysuit.

Jinora's hair grows back though she has the front cut to show her tattoo. Ikki's hair is mid back though she still has her buns and Meelo has very short black hair and is picking his nose with a bored look.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the world is entering a new age of peace and prosperity. Soon, Prince Wu will take his rightful place on the Earth Kingdom throne.

Naruto looked at the young man in a green suit posing with the cameras as Mako hair combed back stood beside him in a black suit.

"And thanks to our updated rail system, Republic City and the Earth Kingdom will be united like never before."

Asami cuts the ribbon for the building, having the crowd cheer. Later, as she talked to a reporter, Wu walked over. "Hey there, Asami right? Great train house. Maybe you can give me a personal tour sometime, what do you say?"

"I do like the idea of putting you on a train and sending you far, far away." She sighed as the reporter left.

"That's... that's funny. I like funny dames. Maybe I should introduce myself, I'm Prince Wu, the future king.

"Yeah... I'm aware of who you are. I'm Asami Uzumaki."

"Prince Wu, President Raiko has some really important king stuff to talk to you about," Mako spoke as he and Naruto walked up.

"Now? Fine." Wu left sighing as Asami looked at Mako.

"How can you stand being his bodyguard?

"Well, I just remind myself that once he's on the throne, I go back to being a detective." Mako sighed hands on his hips.

"And that works?"

"I also go home and smash my head into the wall for an hour. You know, just to get the stress out."

"It's good to see you, Mako. It's been too long." She said as Naruto looked over.

"Have you heard from Bolin lately?"

"I haven't talked to him for a while, but he's coming in a few days for the coronation. And Beifong told me that Korra is getting in tonight." Mako said as Asami smiled.

"I can't wait to see her. It's gonna be weird having the old team avatar back in the city after all these years."

'I've got a feeling to say roll credits.' Naruto thought before walking up the stairs where Raiko, Tenzin, and Lin were talking to Wu.

"After your coronation, the United Forces will escort you to Ba Sing Se."

"Right, about that. Are we all positive that the Earth Kingdom is safe enough for me to return?" Wu asked the group. "I don't have to remind everyone what happened to my great aunt three years ago?" He asked as he pretended to choke before regaining his composure and bowed slightly. "May she rest in peace."

"Prince Wu, I assure you Kuvira has the Earth Kingdom pretty much stabilized at this point," Raiko said as Wu glanced over.

"Define 'pretty much.'"

"Well, the roving bandits have mostly been dispersed," Naruto spoke up as he stretched, showing a ring tattoo on his left ring finger.

"Mostly?"

"Don't worry kid. The chances of you being assassinated are almost zero." Lin said arms crossed.

"Almost?"

Yi.

In a village in the State of Yi, a group of bandits robs a woman's shop. As they make their getaway in a jeep, Kai and Opal, now in their bodysuits, arrive at the village in time to witness their escape from atop Kai's bison Lefty and jump down to pursue them. Putting their arms to the sides, they brought them back up revealing the suits are wing-suits and they fly after the jeep. Soaring past them, Kai topples their jeep by blasting its hood with a strong air current, flinging the bandits into the air.

After Opal uses airbending to break their fall, the duo ties them up, and Kai declares the village safe again now that they have arrived as they snap the wings back to their suits. The governor emerges to greet them though is quickly distressed to learn that the two teenagers are all the help the Air Nation could send to aid him.

Several miles out, a train rolls down the tracks as the female guard of Su, now in armor, moves green blocks onto a map that makes up the Earth Kingdom.

"We just got some good news."

She turned to see Bolin run in wearing a green suit with metal on the shoulders. As well as Suyin's oldest and Varrick and Zhu Li as well.

"Two more Earth Kingdom states have agreed to join us."

"Excellent. Thank you, Bolin." Baatar said and walked up to the woman. "We're 90% there, Kuvira."

"That's great!" Varrick slapped his knee at that. "Zhu Li, dish out some of that special celebration tea." Zhu Li saluted and left before Kuvira spoke.

"None for me. I won't celebrate until the Earth Kingdom is 100% reunited."

The train suddenly lurches to a stop, and a sergeant reports that the tracks are obstructed rocks, which he assumes to be the work of bandits. Noting that troops have been deployed to handle the situation, Kuvira orders their retreat, deciding to handle the situation herself. She exits the train through its roof and watches as a horde of bandits descends the cliffs on either side of the tracks.

The battle that follows is brief and one-sided: Kuvira easily evades or deflects the rocks thrown at her, and when her opponents come within striking distance, she launches thin metal strips at them, covering their eyes and binding their limbs. After subduing all of her attackers and metalbending them to the train tracks by their restraints, Kuvira uncovers their eyes and berates the earthbenders for causing chaos where she is attempting to restore order.

When a female bandit starts to apologize, Kuvira silences her by covering her mouth momentarily with a metal strip to prevent the woman from interrupting her. When a male bandit begs for mercy, she orders them to stop groveling over their predicament and offers them the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves and serve as productive members of the Earth Kingdom.

Should they pledge their loyalty to her, she vows to give them a new purpose in life; should they refuse, she notes that they can remain stuck on the tracks, waiting for someone to rescue them before the next train passes by. Much to Kuvira's satisfaction, the prisoners unanimously choose to join her cause and pledge their loyalty to her.

Republic City.

"I don't know why we're leaving so early if you're just getting a haircut."

Mako sighed as he walked out of the hotel room, Wu in a top hat, scarf, and cane.

"The dinner at Air Temple Island isn't until later tonight.

"Because I'm not just getting a haircut. It's a spa day. We're talking a minimum of four hours." Wu replied as they walked down the hall.

"Are you kidding me? What are you doing that takes four hours?"

"A rejuvenating tea leaf skin wrap. Have you ever gotten one of those, Mako?"

"Yeah, I'm not interested." Mako sighed as they walked outside.

And saw Naruto and Zira tackle a man who robbed a store earlier.

Zira hasn't changed much, just a new armor to reflect her Assistant Chief status.

"Mako, look at all my fans. They must be in town for my coronation." Wu said as a crowd was booing Wu.

"Zira, you take him. I'll make sure Wu gets out safely," Naruto said to Zira who nodded.

Naruto pushed Wu into the car near the entrance as fruit and pies were thrown. Naruto sped down the street as Kurama jumped up as he swerved. "AAH! What the hell? I'd thought your driving would improve, not get worse!"

"Can't talk, furball!"

Yi.

Kai and Opal spot an approaching train and return to the village, hoping it is carrying food and supplies. Much to their surprise, Earth Empire soldiers disembark from the train. Seeing Bolin among them, Opal deduces that Kuvira and her brother, Baatar Jr., must be there as well, musing that it does not bode well.

Kai calls for Bolin, running up to him to hug him tightly. Noticing his friend's new, tidy hairstyle. Approaching Bolin from behind, Opal ruffles his hair, stating that he should not believe every Kuvira says. Happy to see it is Opal behind him, the couple embraces each other. Baatar and Kuvira step off the train, and Opal's attitude immediately turns cold upon seeing her brother.

While Bolin immediately fixes his hair, she snaps at Baatar for pretending to care about their mother, reminding him that Suyin has not forgiven him for betraying her. When Kuvira tries to defuse the situation by stating that they have not come to bicker with her, but rather to aid the town, Opal briskly tells the metalbender that she has heard of how Kuvira "helps" the towns she visits, namely by conquering them.

Kuvira defends herself by denouncing the rumors as "pretty nasty" and maintaining that her actions are giving people a brighter future. The conversation switches topics when Kuvira refers to Baatar as her fiancée, much to Opal's shock. Recognizing the heated situation between her and the Beifong family when she and Baatar Jr. left Zaofu three years prior, she asks Opal to forgive and forget.

Their conversation is interrupted by the governor of Yi, however, who asks Kuvira why she has come to the town. Promptly assuming a professional demeanor, she requests a private audience with him. Kuvira berates the governor of Yi for refusing to sign her contract, remarking that his pride will not be enough to protect his people or his state.

Now alone on her train, Kuvira asks the governor if he has had time to rethink her offer, which she deems to be generous. When the governor opposes the idea that it is generous, noting that she intends to take everything, she points out that the bandits outnumber his people and out-supply his state, making it only a matter of time until Yi will fall.

By signing her deal, she will save the lives of the people of Yi as well as keep the governor in his position under her supervision, something that she also deems to be generous. The governor refuses once more and accuses her of only wanting access to Yi's ore reserves. Even though she is known as the "Great Uniter", he merely sees her as the destroyer of everything.

An irate Kuvira reprimands him for his pride, noting that it will not defend against the bandits raiding the state nor feed his people. Despite the intimidation, the governor refuses to yield and orders her to leave his state. As he angrily exits the train, Kuvira follows behind him and orders her troops to board the train.

When Kai asks what happened, Kuvira explains that she was unable to make a deal with the governor. Kai asks if they are going to leave, upon which Kuvira hands him the unsigned contract. She tells him that she and her army will be stationed at the state border for a day, only to return and aid Yi if he can convince the governor to comply.

As the soldiers board the train, Opal pleads with Bolin to not abandon the people of Yi, but he insists he is powerless to help now that the governor wants them gone. Upset, Opal pushes him away when he tries to hug her goodbye. She bitterly tells him to leave and turns her back on him while he sadly boards the train.

While the train pulls away, Kai notes that they may not need the army's help, as they can fly to the nearby towns with Lefty and gather supplies themselves, an idea Opal readily agrees with. As they finish loading supplies on Lefty's back a while later, the farmer helping them apologizes for not being able to give more.

Opal quickly puts him at ease, assuring him that every contribution, regardless of the size, helps and that the combined supplies will be enough to sustain the townspeople until reinforcements arrive. The two airbenders bow in gratitude before taking to the skies on Lefty.

On their journey back, Kai asks Opal about her relationship with Bolin. Opal admits that the long distance is challenging and that she cannot stand him working with Kuvira. As Kai suggests that Bolin seemingly has found his calling, considering he loves to help people. Although Opal concedes to that point, she notes that Bolin has changed, and she fears they are growing apart.

Moving on to a happier subject, she asks how Kai and Jinora's relationship is working, but before Kai can elaborate beyond that they are doing fine, they are attacked in midair by a biplane piloted by bandits, who fire a grappling gun at the net covering the supplies on Lefty's back. As one of the bandits zip lines down the cable to sever the cords tying the supplies down, Kai tries to blast him off the flying bison, but the bandit is still hooked to the cable, preventing him from falling.

The two engage in a fight, during which Kai's wingsuit, without his realizing it, is sliced by the man's blade. As the biplane lifts all the supplies off Lefty and flies away, the young airbender jumps after them but is unable to catch them, plummeting toward the ground. Unable to balance himself due to his sliced wingsuit, he starts to spiral out of control.

Noticing Kai's peril, Opal launches herself after him and grabs him, using her wingsuit to create a stable lifting surface and enabling them both to land safely on Lefty.

Returning to Yi, Opal explains to a desperate governor that the food has been stolen. A dejected Kai pulls out Kuvira's contract and tells him it may be time to make a tough call. Reluctantly, the governor agrees and signs the paper. Handing it back to Kai, he bitterly tells him to tell Kuvira to save his people. When Kai tries to cheer him up by telling him he made the right decision, the governor wonders if he ever really had a choice.

Later, Kuvira's army occupies the village and distributes food to the hungry citizens. They even allowed several jubilant children to play in their mecha suits. Kuvira publicly declares Yi to be under her army's full protection, a statement that is met with enthusiastic cheering from the citizens. Turning to the governor, she demands that he pledge his loyalty to her, lest he lose his position.

Glaring at her with a deep bitterness, he complies and proclaims his loyalty. As Kuvira's banner unfurls over the village gate, Bolin, handing out supplies to the throng of people around him, spots Opal in the crowd and smiles happily. However, she sadly turns her gaze away from him and disappears into the crowd, leaving a saddened Bolin to continue handing out supplies.

Evening, Air Temple Island.

"When Korra gets here, I bet she's not even gonna know who I am."

Meelo said with a grin as Ikki turned. "Why is that?"

"Because Meelo the boy has turned into Meelo the man."

"Right, you're completely unrecognizable."

Naruto walked in wearing black pants and ruffled Meelo's head with his left arm.

And revealed he had Korra's and Asami's names tattooed on his upper back with vines wrapping around them.

"Ugh. This coronation cannot come soon enough."

He turned to see Mako talking to Lin. "I can't wait to go back to being a detective."

"Right. Um, yeah, about that."

"What?"

"I don't know how to tell you this. You're going to Ba Sing Se with the prince." Lin said, shocking Mako.

"No!"

"I tried to get you out of it, but it's over my head. Wu personally asked Raiko. He said he doesn't know what he'd do without you."

"This can't be happening." Mako groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm not even an Earth Kingdom citizen. I work for the Republic City police department."

"Not anymore. You're just a pawn in Raiko's diplomatic game. You can try talking to him, but I don't think he's going to let you quit."

"There's a southern water tribe ship pulling up to the dock."

Another airbender walked in on that.

"Korra!"

Naruto put on a sleeveless shirt and walked out with the group as Zira, in tight pants and a black shirt walked out of the room.

They get down to see the ship docking before Naga runs out and tackles Naruto. "Easy girl, I missed you too."

He pushed her off as Tonraq walked up to Tenzin. "Tonraq, it's good to have you back in the city, and everyone is excited to see the Avatar again."

"What do you mean? Isn't Korra already here?" Tonraq asked in surprise.

"No, we thought she was coming with you," Naruto said walking up.

"Korra left the south pole six months ago." He replied to his son-in-law. "She's written me letters. She said she was here in Republic City."

"I assure you, your daughter's not here," Tenzin said as Tonraq looked over.

"Then where is she?"

Unknown Location Warehouse.

In a warehouse, a crowd cheered at a cage where an earthbender woman in a green fight outfit that bears her hard midriff stood opposite Korra who was also in similar attire, hand tape, and a bob cut.

Korra is struck several times by flying stones and knocked backward off her feet. Korra gets up and taunts her opponent. "Is that all you got?"

Her opponent keeps attacking her and an agitated Korra attempts to strike back with little success. After an intense exchange of earthbending between the two, the earthbender battling Korra launches herself to the top of the wall and bends a rock Korra shot at her straight back, sending her tumbling into the far wall. For a moment, Korra struggles to rise before collapsing to the ground, unable to get back up.

The triumphant earthbender raises her arms victoriously as the crowd above cheers. "We have a winner!"

Later, Korra was taking her hand tape off in the bleachers before a wad of cash down. "Here, for your lackluster participation."

"Thanks," Korra replied, putting the money in a bag with her tape.

"You know, you look very familiar. Yeah, you kind of look like that Avatar girl." He said as Korra got up and started walking out.

"I get that a lot."

"Whatever happened to her anyway?"

"I wouldn't know." She replied, slinging the bag over her left shoulder.

And showed her ring tattoo on her left ring finger.

The Avatar has gone missing! Three years ago, Zaheer poisoned Korra, Severely injuring her. While her friends moved on with their lives, Korra remained at the south pole. Everyone thought she was still recuperating, But six months ago, Korra left home and hasn't been seen since. Even Chief Tonraq was shocked to learn That his daughter's whereabouts are unknown. What has become of the Avatar and when will she return?

Korra.

A battered and bruised Korra, stands at a sink in a bathroom, staring at herself in a cracked mirror. Opening the faucet, she bends the water to her elbow to heal a wound she sustained.

"Hurry up there!"

She stops to look back at the door to the restroom she's in as a man yelled. "Come on, I have an emergency situation!"

She stopped and walked out at that and walked past the man. "Knock yourself out."

Lost in thought with her eyes trained on the floor, Korra walks on the street and barely avoids being run over by a Satomobile, diving out of the way at the last second. She stumbles to a nearby alley and leans on the wall to steady herself. Breathing heavily while clutching her head, she notices someone standing at the end of the alleyway.

Focusing on the individual, she discovers that it resembles herself as she appeared during her battle with Zaheer; she's in the Avatar State and dressed in her old Water Tribe clothes, with a length of broken chain wrapped around her right arm.

"Huh? You again." Korra attacked with fire before her other self dodged and wrapped the chain around her ankle to pull Korra to the ground. The other Korra then wrapped the chain around Korra's hand and walked up before Korra glared. "Leave me alone!"

Korra throws fire at herself before blinking as her other self disappears. "What's wrong with her?" One civilian asked as several stopped

"Young lady, are you alright? Can I take you to a doctor?"

"No, I don't need any help," Korra said before standing.

As she walked, she remembered leaving Air Temple Island after Jinora's anointment ceremony.

(Flashback.)

Air Temple Island, A Few Hours Later.

"Now don't take this the wrong way, but I can't wait for you to leave."

Bolin said to Korra who was in her Water Tribe outfit on a ship with Naruto, Tenzin, and Jinora. "How else is she supposed to take that but the wrong way?" Mako asked as he and Asami walked up.

"I mean because I've never had a pen pal before. I'm going to write you so many letters, And just to get the ball rolling, Here." Bolin handed Korra an envelope. " Spoiler alert. Pabu and I already miss you."

"Thanks, that's sweet."

"I'll come after working on some stuff at the office," Asami said to her. "We do have a wedding to plan."

"Now I don't want you to worry about a thing while you're gone. Your recovery should be your number one concern." Tenzin said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Jinora, the airbenders, and I have everything under control."

Southern Air Tribe Palace, Three Weeks Later.

Naruto in bed held a struggling Korra to his chest as she sweated dreaming of her fight with Zaheer. She then woke up in a gasp.

Naruto held her before standing as he held her bridal style and walked to the wheelchair.

Later, Naruto sat beside her outside while she was in a robe before Senna walked out. "Can't sleep again?" She asked as Korra stayed silent. "Honey, your father and I have tried to give you As much space as you've needed, but we're worried. You're not sleeping. You're barely eating. We don't want to push you, but it's been three weeks. Will you please go see Katara?

"… Alright. I'll go."

"You're going to get through this. Oh, I love you so much."

The next day, Naruto sat on a couch with Asami as Korra was in a healing pool nude as Katara was healing her. "The poison did a lot of internal damage."

"Can you fix it?" Korra asked Katara who sighed.

"I can help guide your healing process, but whether you get better or not is up to you. I know what it's like to go through a traumatic experience, and I promise you, If you dedicate yourself to getting better, you'll recover stronger than ever."

"That's what I want, more than anything." Korra sighed as Katara stopped.

"Then try something for me. Concentrate on your big toe. Visualize it moving. Breathe."

Naruto crouched as he walked over and saw her big toe move. "Did you see that? It worked!"

Sometime later, Korra was at parallel bars with Naga and the others. "The mind can be a powerful ally Or your greatest enemy," Katara said as Naruto opened his mouth before Asami looked over the magazine she was holding.

"Shut up."

"Now, I want you to try taking a step."

Korra struggled to move her left leg only to get a flash of the poison going in her body and fell. "Ah! Ugh!"

"You're okay. Your body thinks it's still in danger, but you're safe here. Use your mind to overcome the pain. Try again."

"I'm done for today." She said as Naruto sighed and helped her up.

Six months passed as Korra was sitting in a wheelchair at the bars. She contemplated what her friends are doing since she's been at the South Pole and Asami needed to go back as Naruto strayed.

"Whenever you're ready."

She looked up at Katara. "What's the point? We've been at this for almost six months And I can barely take a couple of steps without collapsing."

Naruto sighed as he walked up. "Because you're still fixated on what happened, you gotta get past that. I know you're frustrated, but-"

"Of course I'm frustrated! A crazy man poisoned me, and now I can't dress or cook for myself or do anything for myself, and this whole time my friends have been off helping the world while I'm stuck here, and you can't even heal me!" She said, directing the last part at Katara. "That came out wrong."

"Feel better though?" Naruto asked, crouching down. "You've barely said a word after waking up from the attack. It's not healthy keeping it bottled in."

"I am trying to understand why this happened to me. But nothing makes any sense. I'm tired, Naruto. I'm so tired."

"Korra, I know you feel alone right now, But you're not the first Avatar Who's had to overcome great suffering. Can you imagine how much pain Aang felt when he learned That his entire culture was taken from him?" Katara asked as she walked up.

"That must have been so awful."

"But he never let it destroy his spirit. He chose to find meaning in his suffering, And eventually found peace."

"And what am I gonna find if I get through this?" Korra asked as Naruto walked to the end of the bars with Naga.

"I don't know, but won't it be interesting to find out?" Korra got up from the bars and held on as she stood. "Close your eyes. Visualize yourself walking over to Naruto and Naga. Can you see it?"

"Yes." Korra nodded as she closed her eyes and then took a breath.

"Now, take that first step."

Korra then took a step then walked over to Naga and Naruto before stopping he hugged Naruto as Naga leaned and wrapped her head around them.

(Flashback End.)

Korra stopped as a small white puppy panting. "Where'd you come from, little cutie?" The dog then turned to growl as Korra saw her other self. "You can see her, too? If you can see her, too, maybe I'm not going crazy." The puppy chased the other Korra away before looking back and barked. "How'd you do that? You want me to follow you? Alright, let's see what I find."

(Flashback.)

Southern Tribe Compound.

Tenzin landed at the compound that housed Korra before said Avatar ran up for a hug. "It's so good to see you."

"How have you been, Korra? You look great."

"I feel great. Come on. I want to show you how much better I'm doing."

Later, at the firebending trial mat, Korra, dressed in battle gear, stands opposite three other firebenders; Tenzin Naruto and Katara stand on a viewing platform behind the dueling mat, observing. As the firebenders take their positions, Korra attacks, sending multiple blasts of fire toward her opponents with both her hands and feet, which they easily block. "Attack! I can take it."

The firebenders pause momentarily, the bender in the center glancing over his shoulder at the man on his right, who shrugs. They promptly attack, their quick, furious blows smooth and easy as she approaches her opponents. Cutting through a blast of attacking fire with her hands in the same manner as she did in her firebending trial, she emerges on the other side and is immediately beset by another vision: Zaheer zooming down from the gray sky directly toward her. Debilitated, she falters as the firebenders, unaware, continue their attack; she blindly throws weak strands of fire toward nothing in particular before being finally blown off her feet, coming to rest face-down on the mat, exhausted. Tenzin, seeing her collapse, rushes out to stop the fight.

"OK, the sparring match is over," Naruto said walking up to help his fiancee up.

"I thought I was ready."

"There is no shame in taking the time you need To make a full recovery. Being the Avatar can wait." Tenzin said as he walked up.

"But what about the Earth Kingdom? I hear it's still a mess out there."

"The situation has been stabilizing Since Kuvira. took charge."

"But that should be me out there fixing things, not her." Korra sighed as Tenzin nodded.

"I know you want to help but trust me, everyone has this under control. I just think you need to-"

"If you say, 'be patient,' I swear I'm gonna water-smack you in the mouth." Korra interrupted him.

"No, I was going to say you need to… Not worry about the future. Be grateful for where you are now And the progress you've made."

Later, Naruto and Korra are laying on the bed with him having his arm around her.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow to check up on the Force… I'll be back when the next ship leaves for the wedding," Naruto said as Korra laid on his chest, breasts squishing against his chest.

"I'll miss you."

"Miss the sex is more like it." He chuckled before she pinched his chest.

Two months later, Naruto in a suit stood opposite of Korra and Asami both in white dresses. They said their vows before kissing, having the crowd cheer.

One Year Before Present, South Pole Palace.

Korra was at the table messing with her food. "Everything all right, sweetie?"

Korra looked up to see her mother who spoke. "There's something I need to tell you both."

"What is it?"

"I want to go back to Republic City."

"Are you sure?" Senna asked.

"I know I'm not 100% yet, but I feel like I've hit a wall. I need to be where the action is, where my friends are."

"I'll have the white lotus prepare a boat and they can take you back to Republic City as soon as you're ready," Tonraq said after glancing at his wife.

"No, I want to go alone. And have some time to clear my head. It will be good for me."

She then leaves the South in a small, single-person catamaran, waving to her parents and Naga as she sails out of the harbor.

Several months later, Korra stops at a coastal village to purchase supplies. She walked up to a fishmonger who was at a stand. "Two lobster crabs, please."

"Why, you're the Avatar, ain't ya?" He asked as she smiled.

"Yep, that's me."

"I can't believe it! Mind if I take a picture for my wall of Avatars?" He asked, pointing to the back of the hut showing a single picture of an excited adult Aang spinning two sushi pieces between his hands.

"I'm kind of in a hurry."

"I-It'll only take a second." He retreats to dig out his camera, throwing odds and ends up behind him toward Korra. "Avatar Aang was a big fan of my seaweed wraps, you know." A pot, a meat cleaver, and a flock of parrots come flying out of the shack in quick succession, as Korra jumps backward. "So I named them "Aang rolls." now they're my biggest seller. And they ain't even got fish in 'em."

He laughs as he walks out to place a camera in front of the Avatar. "Now smile." She gave an awkward smile before blinking at the flash. "But if I could have met any Avatar, I'd have to pick Kyoshi. Taking down a shark squid with one hand? Now that's a lady I'd like to get to know."

"Thieves! Get back here!"

They turned to see two men run out of another hut. "Oh, don't worry. The Avatar's right here… Well, what are you waiting for? Go get 'em!"

Korra throws herself into the air over the small inlet, waterbending herself across and coming ashore just in front of the bandits, who stop in their tracks. "Hand over the bags or else."

The first thief earthbends a fissure into the ground, extending it toward Korra and sending up a great cloud of dust, while the second thief bends a few simple boulders from the ground and hurls them at her. Korra avoids the fissures but rolls face-first right into the flying rocks; she falls to the ground, holding her head which is pounding from the impact, as the thieves run past her to freedom.

Opening her eyes, she sees the vendor from across the way standing over her, assessing her, while the fishmonger rushes up to her, meat cleaver in hand, panting. "You sure she's the avatar?"

A Few Weeks Later, Republic City Harbor.

Korra sailed through the fog before seeing the city. As she rounds Air Temple Island, the fog suddenly burns off, revealing a lone figure standing on a pinnacle of rock jutting from the water near the cliffside, eyes glowing. Korra gasps, as she looks at the 'Dark Korra' with the moon behind, thin eyebrows furrowed and her mouth bent into an angry frown, her hair fluttering in the light breeze. Korra started to sweat before she closes her eyes and steers the boat in the opposite direction

Earth Kingdom.

Korra's standing on a small dock next to her boat. Her dress has changed from her Water Tribe outfit to that of an Earth Kingdom commoner, save for her armband, which she removes and tosses into the water. She moves her hands to her head, taking her hair in her hands and bundling it at the back of her head.

Holding the bundle with her left hand, she takes up a knife and puts it up against her hair. For a moment, she hesitates. But in one stroke, she pulls the blade through her hair with a hint of regret on her face, sending tiny strands of hair fluttering through the air around her, her new bob haircut coming to rest just above her shoulders.

Spirit Portal.

Inside the Spirit World Korra steps through the portal and walks up to the Tree of Time, surrounded by friendly spirits, dominates the landscape around it from its perch. Korra walks in and sits down within the Tree's central void, meditating in silence, her heavy overcoat folded next to her. A tiny tan-yellow spirit, with leaves growing like ears from the top of its head, peers over the lip of the entrance. Realizing who is within, it smiles and calls to its many companions floating outside.

"Everyone, come here! It's the Avatar!"

"You sure?" Another asked. "I don't sense any Raava energy around her. Besides, she's not dressed like the Avatar. Doesn't the avatar have ponytails?"

"Do you mind? I'm trying to concentrate here." Korra spoke, opening one eye before closing it again. "And, yes, I am the Avatar. I'm just wearing different clothes And I cut my hair."

"See, I told you guys it was her." The spirits all came in at that. "How come you've been away so long?"

"I was hurt pretty bad a while ago, And lost touch with my Avatar spirit."

"No wonder I couldn't feel Raava's energy." One spirit said from their spot.

"I came to the Tree of Time hoping to reconnect with Raava And turn on the Avatar State again. But it's not working. The last time I was here I saw all sorts of visions. Now I don't see anything."

'Maybe we can help you get better." A spirit said as Korra sighed and stood to leave. "I'm sorry, but for years people have been saying They can help me get better. Nothing's worked. I need to figure this out on my own."

During her travels, Korra writes to her parents to keep them from worrying about her. She falsely tells them how pleased she is to have returned to Air Temple Island and reunited with her friends. In reality, however, Korra is roaming the physical world by herself, crossing icy seas, hiking up volcanoes, and traversing the desert—all the while seeing the apparition of herself in the Avatar State. While wandering a desert, she sees Raava atop a nearby dune. Ecstatic to have found Raava again, she scrambles to the dune's peak, only to have her hopes dashed by the realization that it was a mirage.

Six Months Later.

Korra's walking in a small town at night when she sees her dark self before giving chase to the cage fight arena. "Excuse me, who do I talk to about getting in the ring?" She asked a man taking bets

Korra is in the ring, being beaten back by her opponent. After being thrown across the ring and crashing into the wall, she gets up, but she suddenly starts to see double, and the crowd above fades into blackness. Where seconds before she had seen an earthbender, she now sees the hallucination of her standing opposite her, shoulders hunched in the same familiar inhuman pose.

Rising defiantly to her feet, Korra yells at the apparition. "Is that all you got?"

The apparition swings her arms, the chain flying like a whip across the ring as Korra dodges. The apparition moves faster than she can see, and it jumps, formless, through space before solidifying above Korra. Its attack, unseen by Korra until the last moment, catches her in the face. Her head hits the dirt before her feet, and she tumbles across the floor, slamming into the wall behind her.

She struggles to rise for a moment, staring the vengeful vision in the face before she falls, unconscious, to the floor, and the vision melts back into reality. "We have a winner!"

(Flashback End.)

Korra follows the dog into a large swamp before looking down. "Why did you bring me to the swamp?" The dog then changed into the light spirit she met six months ago. "Wait, I met you at the Tree of Time. You should have told me who you were."

"If I did, would you have followed me?"

"I get your point. But why did you bring me here? What am I gonna find in the swamp?" She asked as the spirit turned to the swamp and flew in.

"Not a what. A who."

"No, wait! Come back!" She rushes forward, charging through the vines. Stumbling through to the other side, she falls into a pool of water. Looking up, she is terrified to find herself face-to-face with her apparition before she rises to her feet. "You're just in my mind. You're not real."

Korra's projection does nothing for a short moment, before sending a powerful blast of fire at Korra; it hits her, sending her flying through the air, where she collides with a tree and collapses into the water below. Trying to rise again, she looks up to see her dark self stagger-stepping through the vines in front of her.

Korra sends streams of water at the vision, but it evaporates on the spot, reforming itself out of the way and sending fire, water, and earth of its own back at Korra. Korra, dodging the water and fire, is hit head-on by the earth and flies backward again, tumbling into a hole. The blurred gray streak of the apparition reforms in midair above Korra, its flaming foot creating an arc of flame as it attempts to crush Korra, who somersaults out of the way as the apparition lands with crushing force.

Korra doesn't even have time to get back on her feet before the vision furiously blasts her with water, sending her airborne yet again; Korra lands face-first in the mud but gets back to her feet, running as fast as she can away from her hallucination, which, deforming and reforming rapidly, appears behind her, shooting a jet of flame after her.

Korra ducks as it shoots over her head and, jumping and twisting in midair, earthbends back at her doppelganger before immediately jumping with airbending into the tree sprawling above her. As the Korra's Avatar self reforms under the tree, glaring up at the escaping Korra, it unwinds the chain from its wrist, once more wielding it as a whip, cracking it on the ground with enough force to shake the earth before flinging it up into the tree, where it wraps itself around a fleeing Korra's ankle as she reaches a higher branch.

The force of the chain begins to pull her down, and she desperately grabs onto the vines winding around the branches to keep herself from falling. As she looks down at the ground far below, the ground below the feet of Korra's Avatar self, to her horror, melts, turning into the mercury with which Zaheer poisoned her.

Korra tries to get her foot around a vine, still holding on for dear life, to try to save herself, but Korra's Avatar self begins to sink into the mercury, pulling still harder against Korra. As the doppelganger sinks up to its still-furious face in the pool of mercury, the vine in Korra's left-hand snaps under the weight, and, seconds later, the one in her right-hand lets go.

Screaming, Korra falls headlong into the puddle of poison below her. As soon as she hits the surface, the mercury fastens onto her body like glue and she begins to sink into the puddle. As web-like tendrils leap from the surface, she reaches into the air, grasping for something that is not there. "Help!"

Immediately after she screams, the silver poison wraps around her arm, pulling her down into darkness.

Later.

Sometime later, Korra awakens in a dimly lit room. A bluish light filters through a substance covering the top of a deep hole opening just above her, which extends all the way to ground level, a considerable distance above her. She sits up, her hand on her head, and hears the noise of a moving liquid, followed by an elderly female voice.

"Feeling better?"

"Where am I? Wha-What happened?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. I found you passed out in the mud."

Korra turned to see an elderly woman, back to her with long white hair and Earth Kingdom clothes cooking in a pot.

"How did you know I was out there?"

"I'm pretty tapped into the goings-on around here. What brings you to the swamp, anyway?" The woman asked.

"A spirit led me here And told me I was supposed to find someone. Is that you?"

"Beats me. But if your avatar senses called you here, you should probably listen to them."

Korra blinked at that. "Wait, you recognize me?"

"In a manner of speaking. We were good friends in your previous life." The woman said as Korra walked over, creating a fire in her hand for light.

" I can't believe it." She said as the woman turned and revealed she was blind. "Toph?"

"Nice to see you again, twinkle-toes."

To Be Continued.

A/N: Thanks for reading and let me know of any mistakes.

Beta: Chaos-PSD.

Hero Rising Next Gen will be up tomorrow.

Nothing else to say.

Talk To You Later,

Lone Wolf Out.🐺