#she has her family + people like opal and bolin who are considered family and kuvira. that's it

[malachitezmeyka]

Suiren is Aplatonic

[wilcze-kudly]

consider: au where opal goes rogue, leaves the airbenders, basically becomes antifa against kuvira

I LOVE THAT

I alwys thought Opal may be an airbender who would splinter off from the Air Nomads more traditional pacifistic lifestyle. What's interesting is that by going up against Kuvira, she is protecting an Air Nomad value- that of freedom.

So it would be interesting to see that storyline and how it would impact her relationship with the other airbenders like Jinora and Tenzin.

I also think the Beifong family would support her wholeheartedly, perhaps getting involved in it too. I kinda have been toying with the idea of the Beifongs starting a resistance against Kuvira. They seemed to be the only people genuinely caring about Kuvira's actions and willing to try to put a stop to her.

I think B4's storyline would benefit a lot from a having the Beifong family as Pov characters, since they could actually offer insight into what's going on in the Earth Kingdom. They also have a very personal connection to the villains, Kuvira and Baatar Jr, which wasn't explored as much as I wish it had been.

If the queercoded miniboss from B1 gets almost a whole episode with flashbacks to traumadump aboud his bender communist big bro in B1, why did Su have to tell Korra that she adopted Kuvira OFFSCREEN. Lile doesn't that feel like something we should've seen. AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THAT FUCKING COMIC.

When thinking about this idea, Iwas also inspired by Polish freedom fighters and their partisan activities, since Kuvira's rule over the Earth Empire has hallmarks of both Nazi and Soviet regimes, for example the Spirit Canon (before it got attached to the ridiculous robot) being inspired by an actual german canon (Dora), the literal Iron Curtain, the "re-education" camps, the militarisation, the forceful redistribution of resources, the rampant propaganda, etc, etc.

However, this storyline has strong USA influences, for example the almost complete dismissal of the actual people who live under the occupation, for the benefit of heroes from the thinly veiled New York insert.

The Beifong family stand out from this group as actual citizens of the Earth Kingdom, who were opposed to Kuvira's rule the whole time because they knew what the fuck was going on at least to some extent. They are members of an established Earth Kingdom family, daughter and grandchildren of an Earth Kingdom war hero, and they live in a city that is seemingly the seedbed of progress and innovation.

Their storylines could be fascinating as they come to realise that no one, not even the literal fucking Avatar seems to be too jazzed to help them, that they are quite literally on their own. This is not too dissimilar from Poland as it was at the beginning of the invasion. Despite having agreements with England and France of these two countries supporting Poland's independence, England and Frabce did not take up military action against Germany after its attack on Poland. Similarly, Republic City, the Fire Nation and the Air Nomads were not willing to put up a fight until Kuvira attacked them! Idk what the fuck the Water Tribe was doing but probably not much I assume.

Stories of resistance fighters in German occupied countries (not only Poland) are often forgotten in the larger picture, despite them playing vital roles in the war. This is especially poignant when it comes to countries that were absorbed into the Eastern bloc when said freedom fighters were hunted and murdered relentlessly to keep the people silent and obedient.

Seeing an echo of these often forgotten stories in the Beifong family, a family that tried to stand up against the dictator oppressing their country and then getting reduced to McGuffins in Korra's mental health journey and Bolin's ridiculous "getting back with my gf after I sympathised with Nazis" arc is disheartening.

The storyline was right there! The Beifongs have a personal connection to Kuvira and Baatar Jr, they have skin in the game, they have ideals opposing the main antagonist, they had the potential for an extremely emotuionally touching storyline, they have strong characters just begging to be explored. Opal and Kuvira are foils and it would be so easy to elevate Wei and Wing to the role of Baatar Jr's foils too, like a darker more antagonistic version of Tenzin and Bumi!

The storyline was right there!

But instead they get sidelined for Korra's, admittedly well done, but misplaced trauma arc and a weird fantasy oriental USA saviour fantasy. And then they get a shitty half assed comic where Opal and the twins to lesser extent are posited as unreasonable for being wary and angry at a person who tried to kill them! And Kuvira is woobified to an insulting extent.

Also Kuvira's attack on Zaofu, a wealthy and advanced city full of artists, scholars and visionaries gives big "Soviets and Germans commiting mass murder of Polish Intelligentsia in for example Katyń, in order to make the nation easier to control and take apart, due to lack of potential resistance leaders." I do not wanna hear you bitches talking about how she was right for wanting to "redistribute their wealth and shit". Her ass was after power and those damn platnium domes to make her military stronger. Like if this weren't a fucking kids show and they weren't planning a 'redemption' for Kuvira, people would be standing above mass graves and being shot in the back of the head.

Quick note: I'm going off mainly my knowledge of Polish history due to my own nationality and education, but there are similar stories in may surrounding countries, for example Ukraine which is currently still being attacked by Russia. The stories and ideologies Kuvira and B4 represented are still well and alive today, as was the rest of the world's indifference to the suffering caused by them.

This is why I feel so strongly on this subject and I wish it was handled better and with more care for the actual victims instead of the sorta "America adjacent" heroes.

I also want to note that I don't wish to erase the influences of other cultures and histories on Kuvira, B4 and the whole of Tlok. I am merely noticing themes and references that I was primed to see since I was a child, but that doesn't mean that this is the exclusive reading of the storyline.

I know this rant kinda fell away from the og topic and got heated but I have ✨️feelings✨️ about book 4, the Beifongs and Kuvira.

[ourimpavidheroine]

Beifong kids face models for @campchitaquamemories, per request! Under the cut again.

Let’s start with the Republic City Beifongs, shall we?

San. His model is this dude, Lee Min Gyu, who is a schoolteacher from Korea. (A schoolteacher. All I have to say is that none of MY teachers looked like this.) I do see him as a mix between Bolin and Opal and their families. He’s got Bolin’s bright green eyes.

Bu. Face model Darren Chen. Softer and sweeter than San, looks more like a Beifong. I’ve seen him in a few different Chinese dramas and always think of Bu. His eyes are Opal’s softer green. His bison’s name is Ginger, because he’s very shaggy with fur the color of grated ginger.

Pearl is represented by this very muscular crossfit trainer. Pearl has the body of an earthbender, despite being an airbender. She’s wicked strong and like her father, whom she mostly resembles, has strong features. She’s not classically pretty but she’s arresting. Her hair is short and curly, though. In fact, she has Darren Chen’s haircut, above. She will finally get her arrows at the same time as Emerald, despite earning them in her teens. She’s got Bolin’s bright green eyes. Her bison’s name is Boom-Boom, AKA Boomster AKA The Boomerang AKA Boom-Bada-Bing AKA you get the idea.

Now on to the Flower Garden!

Orchid. Obviously this is a stock shot but this is exactly how I see Orchid, although she’s certainly got more of a fuller figure, thanks to her mother. A classic beauty. (I had to mentally add in Nuo’s dimples to all 4 girls.) Her eyes are Beifong however, that jade green color.

Iris. This woman is from a Mongolian catalogue. The name Baatar is Mongolian and that’s how I headcanon Baatar Sr. Iris takes after him - and her father - a great deal. You do not want Iris on the opposite side of you in court. She likes to win. At everything.

Rose. Another stock photo, but she’s a mixup of both her parents. She’s got her father’s firmer jaw but her mother’s black eyes.

Poppy. I saw this online as part of a photo shoot and HOLY FORKING SHIRTBALLS this is EXACTLY Poppy Beifong right here. EXACTLY. It was like someone yanked her right out of my head, high heels and lipsticked mouth and do you really think you’re worth my time attitude and all. Jai never stood a chance.

On to the Northern Air Temple!

Goba. I only have a child reference model for Goba, because for a long time he was an eternal three year old for me. With his squared-off little smile! Just age him up as necessary. He never gets taller than about 5′6″ (168 cm) but Hua, like her mother, appreciates a short king. His bison’s name is Dolly, named for his first dolly (which he will keep for the rest of his life).

Katara II carries a fair amount of the Mongolian look about her. She resembles both Baatars a great deal, although she’s got the pale green Beifong eyes. Her bison’s name is Tuuli (which is Finnish for wind).

Tseten is a pretty good mixup of both of his parents. He is, generally speaking, pretty good-humored and smiles a lot. Has piercings. Turned out surprisingly chill, considering his ancestry. Gets lots of tattoos as an adult, including a blue airbending arrow pointing down to his heart. He’s got Ikki’s gray eyes, however. His bison’s name is Stony. Which is a reference to his being an earthbender. Mostly.

Bhuti. If there was anybody going to be taking a photo of herself with sunglasses sitting between two air bison with sunglasses on as well it would be our girl Bhuti. Who would then go off to snowboard off the side of the mountain. Into the air. Ride the air currents all the way down. She gets her arrows at the age of 13 and is the cause of a lot of Baatar’s gray hair, is all I am saying. Her eyes are the same olive color as Baatar’s. (I know those are Tibetan Mastiffs and not air bison but work with me here, people. Did I mention her bison’s name is Sir Wigglesbottom? Because it is.)

Spouses? Sure! I only have face models for a few of them, though.

Amak - Northern Water Tribe, with a brilliant, mischievous sparkle in her eyes that made San fall in love with her pretty much immediately. Her name means playful (like an otter) and that’s exactly how I see her. She’s got blue eyes the exact color of the Finnish sky in summer. 

Jai - I always had Sendhil Ramamurthy in mind for him, from the start. Tall, lanky, dark, Indian. The only difference is that Jai’s eyes are lighter color - a sort of golden brown - and Jai has a perpetual scowl on his face. And hard hat hair.

Sotheara is a Cambodian name that means “pretty flower” (yes, she’s part of the Flower Garden). Our Sotheara is very kind and compassionate - she’s a lawyer with the Republic City equivalent of the ACLU and does pro-bono civil/human rights cases. People often underestimate her because of how sweet she looks. That is a very big mistake.

This Tibetan woman is unidentified, but that penetrating (aka stop with your bullshit) look is one both Goba and Hua would recognize. Yes. Kelden.

[kingwuko]

Wuko in the comics

Welcome to my first post discussing Wuko in the LoK comic books!

This first post will be discussing Turf Wars- which unfortunately does not feature Wu. But there are lots of excellent Mako moments, and there are some major plot points that carry over into the next comic trilogy.

Turf Wars is the first LoK comic trilogy released after the finale. Though it was released two and half years after the finale aired, it picks up right where we left off. While the creators confirmed after the finale aired that Korrasami was canon, the last moments of the animated series were a little ambiguous (on purpose, since this was a time when queer representation was just not considered "acceptable" in children's media-it was truly the only way they could get away with it). The comics definitively remove all ambiguity. Turf Wars features multiple frames of Korra and Asami kissing, holding hands, and coming out to their friends and family. 

The overarching plot of Turf Wars is a conflict over the land upon which the new spirit portal sets. There is also conflict between rival Triad gangs, the Triple Threats and the Creeping Crystals, over turf in Republic City following the chaos of Kuvira's invasion. These two sets of turf wars overlap when a business tycoon hires the Triple Threats to secure the spirit portal for him by driving others off. The new Leader of the Triple Threats, Tokuga, is attacked by a spirit defending the portal, causing him to gain a dragon-like appearance and a new agenda-seizing control of all Republic City. In the midst of all this there is a refugee crisis, a presidential election, and Korra and Asami trying to navigate their new relationship once they return to the real world with all their responsibilities.

Notable plot points and character developments:

Korra and Asami canon is confirmed (repeatedly)-They come out to family and their friends

Business owner Wonyong Keum, who owns the land upon which the new portal sits, demands everyone vacate so he can turn it into a tourist attraction for profit-prompting Korra to enter the Avatar state to temporarily drive him away.

An unhappy spirit requests Korra closes the portal to prevent exploitation of the spirit world.

Bolin joins Mako as his rookie detective partner.

Zhu Li is running efforts to care for refugees who lost their homes during Kuvira’s attack and teams up with Asami to begin rebuilding homes for everyone displaced.

Tokuga is introduced as the leader of the Triple Threats, fighting for control of the streets with Jargala, the leader of the Creeping Crystals.

Kya reveals she is queer and gives us a history lesson on the context of LGBTQ+ history in the world.

Tokuga is attacked by the afore-mentioned spirit and his right arm and half his face become dragon-esque.

Raiko is a colossal idiot. He is way too focused on getting reelected and making his decisions based on what his campaign advisor suggests, rather than just, you know, governing his city. He calls the military to occupy the portal, prompting the Airbenders to peacefully protest.

Zhu Li runs against Raiko for the presidency. She rallies more protesters to protect the spirit portal while her husband films her for his newest project- a “docu-mover” which he presumably uses to influence the election. 

Asami and Keum are kidnapped by Tokuga and forced to make a poison gas device bring the city under Tokuga’s control.

The Krew manages to save the day of course, thanks to Asami’s wit, Korra’s unstoppable stubbornness, and back-up from Bolin and Mako. Except Mako, bless him, says he’ll “take care of Tokuga”, and then promptly loses him.

Tokuga mysteriously disappears into the spirit world.

Zhu Li wins the presidency.

Korra and Asami share a lovely, romantic moment where they exchange their first “I love you”s at the conclusion of the comic.

Mako scenes

There is no Wu in the Turf Wars comics (Unless you count one line of dialogue where it is mentioned that the Earth Kingdom is sending supplies to help the refugee situation) - however, there is plenty of Mako! Mako’s primary role in this series is as a detective trying to find and stop the Triads from waging their turf war in the city.

Our first scenes with Mako shows him back to being a detective- and his brother is his partner. He doesn’t seem super thrilled to be working with Bolin, but I think it’s just because he knows how his brother is- not that he doesn’t want to spend time with him. They are trying to track down the new leader of the triple threats and control gang activity. Mako’s arm is still in a sling, he’s got his usual brooding grumpy facial expression, and his hair is spiky again! He and Bolin arrest two-toed Ping and try to interrogate him. Two-toed Ping is weirdly proud of Mako and Bolin for rising up from being “nobodies” to a couple of “bigtime cops”.

They catch up with Korra and Asami, and the four of them are alerted by Jinora that the Triple threats are attacking the Airbenders that were meditating at the portal. Asami gets hurt in the battle and she and Korra share a kiss in front of everyone:

Look at Opal’s sweet face. She looks like she’s barely containing her excitement and is maybe squealing a bit, and she’s looking directly at Bolin which I think is a sweet moment to show their relationship. Bolin calls dibs on the first double date.

Mako probably needs time to process the information....

Mako and Bolin do some detective work to try and find Tokuga. There is an interesting scene where they are questioning Scoochy (We saw him in the first season, he’s the kid that told Korra and Mako the Bolin went to do some work for the triple threats before getting captured by equalists) Bolin tells Mako they should do “good cop, bad cop”, with Bolin being the good cop. Mako gets annoyed, and Bolin asks if he’s grumpy because his exes are dating. Mako insists he’s cool with it- though he’s got a distressed look on his face. They catch up to Scoochy and Bolin actually loses his temper and is rather menacing. Mako pulls Bolin back and genuinely connects with Scoochy- relating to his past, pushing him to do the right thing and help others. I really liked this moment because it shows how much character growth he’s had when you compare the way he treated Kai in season 3. (They are ultimately unsuccessful and Scoochy’s tip leads them to a room rigged with explosives- but I don’t think Scoochy knew that, I think he was fed false info).

There’s another touching scene, after Asami is kidnapped, where Mako notices how upset Korra seems as everyone is trying to form a plan to stop Tokuga. He steps aside to check in and see how she’s feeling. He comforts her’ empathizes with her, and reassures her that they are going to find Asami. At this point he seems to have fully processed that they are together and seems to fully accept it and is very supportive. Not easy considering the awkward position he’s in as both their exes. In this scene, Mako also informs Korra that he can’t firebend with his injured arm.

Mako and Bolin helps Korra to find Asami by requesting help from Jargala- in spite of the fact that Chief Beifong told them not to… They show up for Korra and Asami even if it means risking their jobs. They team up and fight the bad guys together, just like the old days.

We see many examples of how bad the damage is from Mako’s injury in the Colossus. He can’t bend with his left arm, it’s in a sling almost the whole comic, and he really doesn’t seem to be at the top of his game. He told Bolin he would take care of catching Tokuga, but apparently couldn’t and lost him. Mako’s injury is pretty bad and it’s probably really frustrating.

At the end, Bolin decides to quit the force (surprise. The guy loves to hop from calling to calling!). He makes a big dramatic speech to Mako, talking about how it’s time they go their separate ways. Mako is like “Um I’m going to see you at home in like two hours”, so it sounds like they are living together.

What all this might mean for Wuko

So now I’m going to try to tie things back into how all this affects the potential of Wuko- whether that’s for headcanons or fics or whatever- and just try to give you an idea of what this comic means for Wuko shippers.

Wu is governing in the Earth Kingdom right now. It is mentioned by Zhu Li that the Earth Kingdom sent supplies, so one can assume Wu has taken his place on the throne and the Earth Kingdom is in a stable enough position to be sending supplies to aid another nation. Nothing is mentioned about efforts to transform the Earth Kingdom into a democratic nation (we’ll get to that in the Ruins of the Empire comics).

Mako’s primary relationships that are explored are with his brother and with Korra. His relationship with Bolin is just as it always is. He loves his brother even if he is a little exhausted by his upbeat, enthusiastic attitude. We build up on his final interaction with Korra from the animated series and continue to firmly establish them as friends and amicable exes. Interestingly, we don’t get any meaningful Mako and Asami interactions. When he is comforting Korra, he relates to her by remembering how worried he was when Korra was kidnapped by Amon. He doesn't try to say “Yeah I’m really worried about Asami too”, which, to me is bizarre because he and Asami are friends too, right? I don’t know if we should read too much into it though- most likely it was just a writing choice that we aren’t meant to psycho-analyze- but it could also mean he is being careful with his words so that Korra doesn’t wonder if he still has feelings for Asami. The love triangle is completely resolved and Mako is out of the picture romantically with either of them and has no lingering romantic feelings. In other words, he is 100% ready available for a relationship with someone else.

The scene where Kya gives us a history lesson establishes how LGBTQ+ people are viewed in the world of LoK. In short, Korra and Asami are fully supported by their friends and family, and even their enemies acknowledge their relationship without any homophobic tones. The closest we get to homophobia is Korra's father, who, after expressing his happiness at their relationship, warns Korra to be cautious going forward because not everyone will be as understanding. Kya gives us a quick lesson on how same-gender relationships are viewed across the nations: The water tribe, being a patriarchal culture, expects discretion. The Earth Kingdom is not particularly accepting-Kya says that Avatar Kyoshi was bisexual but couldn't affect "real change" and that the earth kingdom is the slowest to accept change and is also militarily repressive (full disclosure I have not read the Kyoshi comics, maybe there is additional insight in those?). And in the fire nation, Sozin made same-gender relationships illegal when he took power (I hope Zuko undid all that when he became Firelord). The air nation is the only one that seems truly accepting-Kya paints a picture of total acceptance and says that Aang was supportive when she herself came out. Korra is worried that maybe her father was right, but Asami points out that a lot has changed over the years and everyone seems accepting, especially in Republic City. 

I think what we can take away from this as far as Wuko goes- is that in Republic City, same-gender relationships are not much of an issue, while in the Earth Kingdom it could be viewed negatively. One could make a case that Wu might have cause to be closeted, while Mako might not. (Feel free to reject this history canon and substitute your own. I’d just as soon say that no one in the avatar-verse cares if you aren’t cis or het).

In conclusion. Mako is just a guy trying very hard to be a good, supportive friend to his exes who are now dating each other. He loves them (platonically) he loves his brother, he’s kind and has matured a lot, but he still always has a grumpy look on his face so it’s time for him to move on and get together with Wu.

Well, that’s Turf Wars. I did cram the plot of three comic books into one post, so I certainly did not hit all the details. If you feel I missed something crucial, feel free to reblog with your own takes. Next I’ll discuss Ruins of the Empire, in which we get lots of Wu and potential Wuko moments, a sizable helping of angst and even some Wu & Korra friendship! RotE is a really fun comic trilogy and I’ll be breaking it down into multiple posts. Thanks for reading everyone!

Wuko In RotE part 1

Wuko in RotE part 2

[wishingforatypewriter]

Headcanon: Beifong Women Don’t Cook

Poppy

“Make food? Me? No, darling. I find it best to leave that to the chef.”

Literally only enters the kitchen during dinner parties to let the household staff know when to bring out this appetizer or that pot of tea. 

Firmly believes that her parents did not ship her off to Gaoling and marry her to the Beifong heir for her to be preparing her own meals. 

Toph

As a grown woman with two kids, Toph still regularly shows up at Aang and Katara’s house like, “What’s for dinner, twinkle-toes?”

Brings home takeout for Lin and Suyin almost every night. Su loves this and brags about it to her friends, but Lin finds it kind of ridiculous.

Toph made food for herself for the very first time after she retreated to the swamp, and the only thing she misses about living around people is the noodles down at Narook’s. 

Lin

Thanks to Katara and Aang (and Katara and Aang only), Lin actually knows how to cook. She’s pretty good at it, all things considered, but her culinary repertoire is limited to Southern Water Tribe cuisine and Air Nomad style fruit tarts. 

As a teenager, Lin would make meals for her family whenever she felt like the takeout thing was getting out of hand. However, all of that flew right out the window when she started rising through the ranks of the Republic City Police Force. 

Tenzin used to cook for her while they were sort of cohabiting, and Kya will do it now whenever she’s in Republic City. For the most part, though, the only time Lin steps inside her kitchen is when she’s heating up water for instant noodles or a cup of tea. She has become her mother in every way and she has no idea how to feel about it. 

Suyin

Has literally never made a meal for herself in fifty some odd years of life (not even in the circus or on the pirate ship). Would probably burn the place down if she tried. 

Lin tried to teach her the basics when she was younger, but Su was never really receptive to it. Then, after she was sent to Gaoling, her Grandma Poppy taught her the facts of life and not cooking became a point of pride for her. 

Su will make recommendations to her chef about the menu depending on which guests she’s entertaining that week, but she would be hard-pressed to tell you where the kitchens at the Zaofu estate even are. 

Opal

Sweet sunflower child did not even know how to boil water by the time she started training with the Air Nation. (Pema has since taught her how, and she can now make tea by herself. Baby steps.)

The first time Bolin, who is a mediocre cook at best, made dinner for them, Opal was amazed. She naively thought that one had to be trained as a chef to be even vaguely competent in the kitchen. 

She sometimes watches the air acolytes baking tarts, fully impressed. After Tenzin remarks that her aunt Lin used to bake really great ones, Opal became determined to convince the police chief to teach her and engage in some auntie and niece bonding. 

If anyone can break this generational curse, it will be our girl Opal. 

Kuvira

(Not an official Beifong, I know. But I love her, so I’m gonna include her here). 

Kuvira’s biological mother would try and get her to help with the cooking, berating her and complaining whenever she spilled things or left them on the stove for too long. This experience generally turned Kuvira against the notion of cooking, so she was very pleased when she got to Zaofu and Su was like, “We don’t do that here.” 

During the military campaigns, the chance of her cooking for herself grew even smaller because there was no way she had time to stand over a hot stove when she had a whole continent to stabilize. During this period, Baatar Jr. actually taught himself how to cook (Zhu Li helped) so Kuvira wouldn’t be conquering cities on an empty stomach. 

Post ROTE, she considers trying to learn, if only because she is quite bored a lot of the time. If they put their heads together, she and Opal might be able to produce an edible meal someday. 

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Consider the idea of Lin /Bumi badly timed proposals"? (just a humble linumi shipper loving your fanfics)

Note: Here's my belated response to this prompt. It ran away from me again until I struggled to close the story out. Hope you like it!

One-shot Post-canon AU Lin x Bumi II

Also on AO3. 

---

Outside of the military, Bumi was known to be the spontaneous one. The Avatar’s child who was the most likely to get into trouble. Or get into an adventure, as his grinning father would correct. He was the kid who took quickly to throwing fruit pies to the air acolytes. He was the teen who travelled to the next city because there was a Pro-bending competition happening there. As an adult, he was also the one who tried (and succeeded in) applying for the United Forces on a whim.

It was not often that Bumi would plan for anything linked to his personal life.

This was why, on the weeks leading up to that Night (with a capital N), he felt out of his depth. He did what he did best and tried to plan as he would regarding a military campaign.

This was why he thought he was assured of success.

What he did not count on was the extraneous factors, which was their extended family and social circle.

That – and the weather.

---

“Booms -I’m sorry, it’s not going to work out.” Iroh’s voice crackled over the telephone. “That downpour wouldn’t make anything stick long enough to be legible.”

Bumi sighed as he peered at the window of Tenzin’s study. The waves did crash unpleasantly against the edge of Air Temple Island as the rain fell. “Well, we can still move it tomorrow, right? You and the boys are still free?”

“Of course, provided that the weather is better. As for our availability - ,” Whatever Iroh said was lost as the line crackled again as it was wont to do when the weather was poor. Bumi clicked his tongue. Tenzin really needed to have some repairs made in this temple. “- So after that, we can definitely pick it up for you.”

“Great!” Bumi could care less if they need to adjust the timing a bit – as long as it pushesthrough.

He did not need the details.

---

Or maybe, he should have probed for more details.

The retired commander saw that now as he watched visitors mill around Air Temple Island.

Various air acolytes and airbenders from the different temples now crowd the usually empty courtyard.

How was he to know that it was time for the anniversary of the return of the airbenders? He did not even know there was an identified datefor that.

Or maybe, he would have known had he listened to Tenzin’s lectures.

He scratched his chin, pensively, wondering if this might change anything when something cold and wet lashed at his behind.

“Hello, Bumi.” His sister walked over, a water whip formed at her side, grinning as she usually did.

“Mother said you shouldn’t hit people.”

“Mother said a lot of things that you didn’t follow.” Kya crossed her arms mockingly. She nodded to the entrance of the residential building where their mother stood, surrounded by her youngest grandchildren.

He understood. They never could begrudge their mother anything, especially now with her waning health.

A sea of green passed in the periphery.

“I see Suyin and her brood are here.” Bumi contemplated briefly if it would have any impact to his plans.

Kya commented. “Did they really have to be always in green?”

“Did you always have to be in blue?”

“Touche.” Kya shrugged. “Though, I needed to be blue to occasionally camouflage in the South Pole if I needed to be stealthy.”

“For what?”

From afar, they see Katara beckoning Kya forward from where she and Pema stood by the stoop of the house. “I’ll go get settled now.”

Bumi excused himself, citing some reason to check on something, which, technically he needed to do.

“Tenzin said nothing formal; nothing big. Just a small gathering.” The loud voice of the Avatar grumbled.

The clinking of metal was heard next before Bumi rounded the corner. “And yet, everyone is here.”

“Chief Beifong!”

“Avatar.” Lin inclined her head in greeting, with blank politeness on her face.

Bumi knew better though – the slight tightening of her jaw and the grip she had on her belt: oh, Lin was irritated.

“What’s up?” Korra toyed with the sleeves of her formal wear, obviously uncomfortable.

“How are your travels?” Bumi interjected, popping beside Lin before she manages any acerbic remark.

“We are travelling in style! I think I could get used to it.”

“I think you already are.” Asami looked on with amusement.

“You’re lucky,” Bumi pointed towards where Oogi and the younger bison were flying around. “Dad had to travel on a sky bison.”

“Mom said it wasn’t pleasant.” Lin wrinkled her nose.

“There! You! Are!” Bolin ran and huffed as he arrived before them, doubling over in the effort. “Wing and Wei just found where the food was being prepared, we can sneak off to get some before the– oh hello Chief Beifong!”

“I did not hear anything.” Lin looked skyward and waved her hand at them.

“Beifong!” Bumi quickly caught up with Lin, who strode off quickly when the teenagers started talking about food. “Are you on duty?”

“Yes.” Lin sighed, putting her hand on her hips then stomping, doing a seismic perimeter check. “I know, but I have to.”

“I’ll look for you later.”

“Alright. We’re a bit stretched – Tenzin did not give us the correct numbers of attendees, as usual.” Her forehead crinkled as she concentrated on the perimeter check. “Good thing the Fire Lord sent General Iroh and some of his men to represent their nation.”

“Oh, that’s what he meant.” Bumi murmured to himself.

Lin glanced at him in askance.

“Iroh.” Bumi did not want to expound further. Lin had a way of ferreting out the truth from him without seismic sense anyway.

Bumi accompanied her like a silent sentinel as Chief Beifong went about doing check to her team and on the island.

They have finally arrived at the main courtyard where the usually unflappable master airbender was fluttering about like a bright orange butterfly, holding several sheets of paper, which no doubt was the program for the day.

Lin groaned when Tenzin noticed them.

“Lin!”

“I better go ahead.” With one final eye-rolling, Lin left Bumi’s side before he could even ask where she will be stationed at the end of the program.

“Trouble in paradise?”

Bumi jumped a bit, startled by Kya once again. “Of course not, my meddling gossipy sister.”

She offered him a drink, which he rightly declined. “What’s Tenzin up to?”

The man was now talking rapidly to the chief of police. They were far enough not to hear them but near enough to see what was going on.

“He’s quite excitable.” The retired military man shrugged. “Thank the spirits for Pema, that woman is a saint.”

“You mean, thank the spirits for Lin,” Kya nodded towards the pair as she took a sip of her drink. “Pema was just about ready to rip her hair off these past days. She was looking quite frazzled earlier and after a drink or two, bam! Out tumbled everything - Tenzin was anxious and has been driving her nuts with all the prep for today’s celebration.” She raised a glass to the earthbender and airbender on the main event area. “But look over there – just a few words from our dear Chief of Police and the man calms down.”

Bumi could not help but tense up as he observed Lin and Tenzin on the platform.

As Lin continued to converse with his younger brother, Tenzin began to slowly deflate. A smile started to form on the earlier stressed airbender’s face and the corner of Lin’s lips upturned, a ghost of a smile.

“I swear – those two, I wonder how it would have turned out for them had they known this was going to happen anyway…” Kya trails off, as though suddenly realizing who she was talking to. “I mean – hey, they’re both in happy relationships and it’s perfect and -.”

Bumi swallowed drily, drowning out his sister’s voice.

He had thought about that occasionally, really. There was nothing to go on and Lin had been upfront about, well, everything so he knew where her heart is.

But, looking at the pair now, at the anniversary of the return of the airbenders, supposedly the pinnacle of all their arguments…

“Booms – don’t do anything stupid.”

Now that snapped him from his maudlin thoughts. “Why is it that everyone thinks I’m gonna do something stupid when I keep quiet? It’s a bit offensive, you know.”

“Bumi, I didn’t mean -.”

No matter, Bumi was adamant that his Plan pushes through.

---

“POP! POP! BOOOM! BOOOM POP! Whiiiizzz! BOOM!”

Everyone on Air Temple Island (and even those at the edge of Republic City) looked up to see fireworks littering the night sky.

“BEIFONG… WILL…YOU… ohmy sweet - is that a ring??? .. ME.” Suyin squealed as she read what the fireworks were spelling out.

There was a cacophony from the courtyard of Air Temple Island as everyone sought to find which Beifong was being proposed to.

From their perches around the island, Iroh and the UF men whooped in success of their mission tonight – deploying the firework proposal.

“OH-MY-BOLIIIIN!”

All eyes were on Opal who was clutching at a wide-eyed earthbender.

“What?!”

Various voices added to the din, shouting different things.

“Bolin did you really?!” Mako pointed up to the sky.

“What – no I did not. I’m not marrying – I mean,” Bolin swiftly turned to Opal. “I would like to marry you.” Then he shouted at Su and Baatar Senior’s direction. “But not now. One day but not now – I mean, I need to talk to Su and Baat – oh shit Su’s gonna kill me.”

Attention turned to Baatar and Suyin.

“Um no,” Baatar shrugged casually, an arm around his wife. “It’s not our anniversary anytime soon.”

Suyin was still being antsy. “Wing! Wei! Did any of you -?” She saw her twins wave up their arms in surrender, wildly shaking their heads as they each held a plate of food. “If that’s not you…”

“Kuvira and Junior –.” Wei.

“That is unlikely.” Wing.

“Huan?” Both Wing and Wei asked, everyone’s heads swiveled to the artistic Beifong.

“Excuse me.” Huan looked very offended, as though it was an insult that someone would be proposing to him in public.

Bumi’s face fell as the Beifongs present began arguing as to who the firework proposal was for and the actual Beifong who the proposal was meant for was nowhere to be seen.

Just then a soft squeal and a sniffle came from Kya’s side.

Pema was holding to her arm. “No-no-no – it’s for Lin, don’t you see? That’s why – Tenzin is leaving me.” Every other word was punctuated with a sniffle. “That’s why they’ve been talking over plans and that’s why – I saw them talk to Jinora the other day. Oh-airbenders-Tenzin is -leaaving me.”

“Ahem, I have an announcement!”

Now, everyone turned to stare back at the platform where Tenzin stood. Behind him, stood two more people - Lin Beifong stood in his shadows, arms crossed, a guard observing the proceedings, while Jinora stood to the side with a nervous smile, hands at her back.

“Ooohhhh!” Pema let out a wail.

“Shh, Pema!”

Bumi froze. There have been still some lingering insecurities that were in relation to his brother that would take a long time to tamp down. With the man’s whimpering wife at the side and his own significant other beside said man, it did not take much to wear Bumi down to his insecurities.

“This has been a long time coming and before anything else,” Tenzin paused at this to throw a significant look at his back. “I would like to say that this is no split second decision, we’ve talked about it and well –.”

No way he was going to let Tenzin take over his plan tonight.

“I will be stepping down soon with Jinora as my successor.”

“LinBeifong, will you marry me?”

Two voices rang into the night, clearly silencing any other words that might have been going on.

Bumi did not care for or did not mind what the reactions of the people around them were. He only had eyes for the earthbender who was gaping at him then looking back at the sky then back at him.

He worried the longer it took for Lin to react.

From his side, Pema sagged in relief against her sister-in-law while Jinora and Tenzin stood at the platform, greeting well-wishers.

Lin, meanwhile, was yet to do anything other than stand still.

“OH – we forgot the most eligible Beifong of today!” Bolin stated the obvious, pointing to the sky and back at Chief Beifong on the stage.

“What are you doing, go get her.” Kya nudged him from the back.

Bumi ran to the stage, almost tripping on his formal robes. “Lin – I’m so sorry – I didn’t think it would be this public – I -.” Lin hated public displays. “I ain’t doing this to pressure, I -.”

Lin gripped his arm to stop him from speaking.

The crowd went silent as Suyin could be heard shushing everyone (“Quiet! We need to hear what her answer is!”).

Bumi’s heart sank as Lin pulled away from him.

This is it. The Rejection.

He could only look to the ground, unwilling to face family, friends and even his former colleagues in the UF.

Suddenly there was a rumble on the ground as Lin extended a leg in front of her and she raised her arms slowly with a grunt.

“YES – BUMI – I – WILL – dear Agni – Liiiin is marrying Bumi!” Su’s shrill voice read out the words etched on the courtyard.

Tenzin groaned, mumbling about the destruction of his courtyard.

“Shut it, airhead. That courtyard has seen worse when you broke up with -.”

Nope, he did not want to hear about their break-up and so Bumi took Lin in his arms and planted a nice long kiss to seal the deal.

He pulled back and was met with a large grin on Lin’s face.

It might not have worked as he expected or planned it to be but at least, he could honestly say that it was -

Mission accomplished.

[itstittycitybaby]

Flirty (Lin Beifong x Reader) Part 3

a/n: im pumping these out so fast. after i finish an episode i have to immediately start typing or i’ll go crazy.

“This is Azure and this is Ruby!” The two of them hopped in your palm as you held them out. “They’re prettier up close,” Opal said, grinning. Her eyes were bright today. She looked happier than last night after she ran from Lin’s room crying. You chuckled, “For the most part, until Azure pecks my face for food because he’s a dick.” Opal looked taken aback but didn’t comment on your choice of words. It was weird considering Suyin had a mouth on her when she was younger. Her and her daughter were different.

“Would you like to hold them?” She nodded. “Ruby is very shy,” you said, moving slowly with the hand Azure was on. “So she has the tendency to be more skittish and peckish. She’s sweet though, don’t worry,” you reassured Opal once you saw the nervous look on her face. “Okay,” she said softly, watching Azure stand on her palm. “He’s beautiful.” 

You chuckled, “Oh he knows. The more you feed his ego, the more he thinks he’s in charge.” Opal giggled, stroking his feathers gently. An idea popped in your head. “Hey Opal?” She perked up, “Yes?” “Could you look after Azure today? I have some work to do and he can be a real pain.” Opal smiled brightly and her eyes lit up with joy. “Are... are you sure?” “Mhm,” you replied, grinning. “Just give him back after dinner.” “Okay!” With that you bid Opal and Azure a goodbye. “Whore,” you murmured to Azure as you left, ignoring your leave because of some new attention.

******

Suyin was excited about your plans. Her husband looked over them and praised your new pitch for the tram station. “Hey Suyin,” you said, after her husband left. Suyin hummed while pouring the two of you wine in a couple glasses. “Mind if I ask you something?” She nodded, handing you a glass before sitting down. You sat across from her, legs clamped together nervously. You fiddled with the glass in your hand. “I’m not sure how to ask this..since I haven’t seen you in well, forever.” “Nonsense (Y/N),” Suyin waved you off, “We’re family! I’ll answer any question you have.” “Thanks,” you responded, genuinely. She’d always been so welcoming and kind. The Beifongs were the only family you had. You regretted not staying in contact with at least Su. 

“Whenever I was in the village..there was some gossip.” Suyin’s brow quirked  as she took a sip of her wine. You sighed, brows pulling together and a soft frown on your face. “I don’t really listen to shitty rumors but it’s been so long I couldn’t help but think.. was there something that happened? Between you and Lin..?”

Suyin looked surprised. She tapped her finger on the wineglass as she pondered. The ring on her finger  “Sister drama, you know how it is. Nothing happened. Lin is just so bitter and won’t let go of the past. You know that better than anyone.” You frowned at her words. Suyin wasn’t wrong but..she made Lin sound totally heartless. “I just wanted to make sure. She’s been so...angry since I’ve gotten here. I know I probably have a part in that but..I’m just..worried.”

Suyin leaned over and squeezed your hand. Her smile didn’t seem to reach her eyes. “It’s alright (Y/N). Just give her some time. I can see she cares about you. Not that she’ll admit it.” You chuckled, a grin splitting your face. “Really?” Suyin looked amused at your enthusiasm. You really were a child even from how much time passed. “I promise. Now, why don’t we catch up. I haven’t seen you in what, thirty years?” You nodded, taking a gulp of your wine. As Suyin filled you in about her life you couldn’t help but feel, that she was lying. Your instincts screamed at you that there was more going on than she led you to believe. She wasn’t telling you everything. But she had been so kind and comforting to you since you’ve got here. Surely Suyin wouldn’t lie to you. She was your friend, the one who listened to your ranting after a fight with Lin. Su let you cry on her shoulder once your parents kicked you out and offered for you to share her room. Yet, as much as you tried reassuring yourself, your gut kept screaming.

*****

Lin touched her scar gently. The memories and the emotions she had tried so hard to repress and forget, were now bubbling back onto the surface. Toph had allowed Suyin to walk all over her. She gotta away with anything while Lin busted her ass trying to impress her mother. The price gave Lin a scar that mocked her everyday. It was disgusting to know that Suyin had been let go scotch free and still hadn’t given an apology. 

The needles had done its damn job alright. Lin was reminded of her failure of being the perfect daughter. No matter how hard she tried, Top didn’t seem to care. Was she really that unloveable? Could she even have someone want her? Lin huffed as she limped from the acupuncturist’s office to find Suyin. Her hand trembled from anger and the rocks shifted underneath her feet. It was getting bad again. Except this time she didn’t have her work or whiskey to drown herself in. Beads of sweat rolled off of her face and back. Lin ignored the acupuncturist’s qualms of resting and hurried to find Suyin. She was going to end this once and for all.

*****

Lin dodged the metal sculpture thrown her way. It missed her, barely. Lin raised some rocks from the ground and unleashed them onto Suyin. She couldn’t help but smirk when one of them hit her. Her sister retaliated by hurling metal plates towards her. Lin dodged all of them except for the last one. The impact made her tumble. Another boulder was thrown in Lin’s direction, but she rolled fast enough. She was getting slower and more sluggish. Her head felt hazy but she brushed it off. ‘Now’s not the time.’

Getting into a fighting stance she anticipated her sister’s next move. Lin lifted another boulder. It wobbled in the air but she still flung it toward Suyin. “Getting tired,” Suyin taunted. “Barely,” Lin barked. Suyin flung her fingers and bended the metal wall around her as a shield. The boulder broke from hitting the metal as soon as her sister warped it. “I wonder Lin,” Suyin yelled, face tugging into an ugly smirk. “If this was the reason Tenzin left you. No wonder (Y/N) left to travel the world. They couldn’t handle a bitter woman like you.”

Lin’s jaw clenched in anger. Her teeth ground together and her hands trembled.  She felt hot in her chest and the blood inside of her veins prickled. Lin raised a leftover metal plane on the ground.  “That’s enough!” Lin snapped her head over to the new voice.  The metal plate clattered onto the ground. (Y/N). There was a wooden staff in your hands. You twirled it in front of you, fighting off the tiny sharp rocks Suyin hurled over. Your arms trembled, eyes hushed with angry tears. You shook with rage from the mess in front of you. Lin stiffened; for once in her life she was afraid. Afraid of what you might say or do. Lin finally had you within her fingertips. Were you going to slip away again?

“I left on my own terms,” you growled. “How dare you use that against Lin.” The staff twirled effortlessly in your fingers. Lin was frozen in her spot. All she could do was watch you and your bird flit around you. “You’re a coward Suyin,” you gritted out, “A fucking weasel. What did you do Suyin? Don’t you think you’ve done enough?! ” Korra and Bolin gawked from the sidelines, witnessing unfolding between the two of them.

Suyin’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t say anything. Su’s eyes calculated the situation. Using her sister’s fear to her advantage, she flung the metal wall hard enough that Lin was sent sprawling. “Lin,” you cried out. She flew towards the courtyard and her back hit the fountain’s stairs. Lin growled, rising up again. Her stance wobbled from the force. Little black spots formed in her vision. Shaking out of it, Lin raised her fists, preparing for the next hit. Suyin walked calmy, crossing the bridge. “Are you done,” she asked, sounding bored. “Not yet,” Lin snarled. 

You glided into the air. Your paraglider soared you towards the two of them. A group of Suyin’s people spectated the fight. The tips of your feet touched the ground beneath you. Rolling, you folded your paraglider away. You jumped on your feet and facing Lin. “Move out of the way,” she snapped at you. “No,” you replied stubbornly. Lin created metal shards with her fingers. You grabbed your staff from your back, preparing for the onslaught to come. The shards sliced the air and they raced towards you. The staff moved in a tan blur as you twirled it with rapid speed, flinging some of the sharp metal away from you. They made a thunk, as it pierced into the wood. Once the metal stopped racing towards you that’s when the adrenaline died down. Your temple seared with pain and felt warm and sticky. You hissed, fingertips touching the wound. It stung like hell. You were bleeding. Your hand flung up to your nose. It throbbed from the blood coming out of your nostrils. Lin felt her heart shatter. You looked up to her with disbelief. She didn’t mean to hurt you, she didn’t mean to-

“Look what you’ve done Lin,” Suyin taunted, raising a boulder. “All you’re good for is hurting people. Especially the ones you care about.”

Suyin flung the boulder. Ruby started fluttering her wings, her cries piercing your ears. The pain in your temple worsened more thanks to her screeching. Ruby flew away from your shoulder to safety. Turning around, you shifted yourself in front of Lin. “Move,” she shouted. You ignored her, pressing your fingers into your palm. An orange shield burst out from your palms and surrounded the two of you. Lin gasped softly. Son of a bitch actually did it. You stood in front of her determined. The orange bubble was see through like an orange stained glass window. Your stretched your hands and fingers out in front of you. As soon as the shield popped up, Suyin’s boulder hit with a sickening crack. You cried out, straining to hold it up. A searing pain erupted through you. It felt like your soul was splitting in two. “It’s hurting you,” Lin cried.

Suddenly, a flash of green jumped on the bridge between you and Suyin. Opal. Air pushed out of her hands. “Fuck,” you shouted, shield starting to crack.  “You’re both sisters,” Opal cried, “Why are you hurting each other?!” Her words fell on deaf ears. Lin was focused on how your body swayed, struggling to keep itself up. Lin yelled, “(Y/N), stop. This isn’t about you! Save yourself!” The shield shattered. Orange shards flew into the air and dissolved into nothing. You whimpered, tumbling to the ground. Lin’s heart tugged at your soft cries. Ruby flew to you immediately, shrieking. Lin hobbled over and panted. The red parakeet’s high shrieks made her ears hurt. Her vision started to fade. She felt weak. She was hopeless to do anything. Lin’s feet fell under her. She stretched her hand out, trying to reach you. You were too far. The last thing she saw was your unmoving form, curled in on itself.

[avatar-state-kate]

Okay so I alluded to a potential essay in this post and now I’m here to deliver on that promise. So here is the essay on

Kuvira as a Foil for Korra: A Culminating Conclusion

I am a firm believer that the difference between a foil and a great foil is the presence of similarities to really accentuate the differences.

For example, by making both Katara and Azula prodigious, 14-year-old benders, that they use their power for such different ends is only more poignant.

When considering Korra and Kuvira, it is their similarities which help to make their differences shine, so we will begin there.

One in the Same

Action oriented: Korra’s approach to problems is to rush headfirst into them, Korra is not a patient person and needs to take an active role, which is partly why having to sit out post season 3 is so difficult for her. While Kuvira is not impulsive she similarly takes action, stepping up to reunite the earth kingdom pre season 4 and fighting her own battles- best demonstrated in her one on one fight with Korra for Zafou

Ends justify the means: Korra’s morality when introduced is not based on any hard code so much as it is on sides- the good side and the bad side. Most actions, if done by the good side, are justifiable. For example going around the presidents back and having the united forces fight in a foreign countries war. It is Korra’s intentions and status as the Avatar (the good guy) which define her actions as moral. Kuvira, similarity operates on similar moral logic, her intentions are good, and thus what she and her army does to achieve those intentions is also ‘good’, or at the very least excusable.

Isolated childhoods; Korra was raised in the white lotus compound and Kuvira in Zafou. Both are cut off from the larger world, and both are over protected, Korra by the white lotus and Kuvira by Su - who we can infer from Opal’s subplot in season 3 of needing to convince her mom to let her go out on her own to train as an air nomad as being overprotective

Capability: both Korra and Kuvira have a need to prove themselves as capable as a result of their sheltered childhoods where they were made to feel incapable. Being action oriented this manifests in both developing and show casing their bending abilities

These similarities are important to remember as it is how each women handles these characteristics that defines them.

Black, White, and Grey

A lot of the older discourse surrounding Legend of Korra discussed how Korra’s arc was to learn compassion for others, however current discourse has fortunately recognized that Korra did not need to learn compassion; she was always a compassionate person. However, what she did need to learn was a level of moral ambiguity.

As described above, Korra followed an ends justify the means sort of mentality, as an extension of that however, Korra’s morality was defined by sides. Her side, and those against her. The avatar’s side, or the bad guys side. Under this oppositional framework there is no cross over, for her villains to insinuate they are anything like her, she is anything like them, is a deep insult.

This unfortunately prevents Korra from learning from her adversaries, as everything they thought is, to Korra, connected to what they did. We see the fallout of this mentality most in the transition from season 1 to season 2 where the dissolution of the council and democratic election where not initiated from Korra and none of the community initiatives started by Amon, such as the self defence classes, are continued. Korra abandons the equalist cause I’m full. However we begin to see this change in season 2 when Korra decides leave the spirit portal open, conceding that Unalaq was right about some things.

Korra’s learning moral ambiguity concludes with her meeting with Zaheer in season 4. Actively seeking guidance from a ‘bad guy’ symbolic of Korra’s realization that all people have worth while insight, that Zaheer is not just a villain, but a person.

Kuvira conversely maintains her ends justify the means mentality until the finale, with those who question her actions against her. Either you are on Kuvira’s side, the side of progress and stability, or you are an insubordinate, with no grey space in between.

Yin and yang is a common motif throughout the Avatar series, and while framing yin and yang as a good/bad dichotomy is a farce, the concept of light existing in dark, of one being born of the other, is extremely relevant. The fight between Ravva and Vatuu in the legend of Wan was not threatening while each was of equal size, it was only when they separated and Vatuu became stronger that the threat to the world arose. It is not a question of whether someone has badness in them, but a question of inner balance.

Stability versus Balance

Korra developing a more nuisances moral framework causes a shift from seeking stability to seeking balancing in the world. This may seem like the same thing, but to be balanced on a beam or wire is not to be rigid and rooted, but to move with the changes to stay upright. Balance is dynamic and fluid, the world is always changing and Korra needs to learn to guide the flow, not stop it.

Kuvira, however is not seeking balance but stability. She does not want to move with the world, but to bend it to her will. Her plan to reclaim Repyblic City and the rest of the now independent former colonies is a testament to that. Rather then develop with this new world Kuvira wants to set it right.

Connection versus Isolation

Korra begins season 4 more alone then she has ever been, one of the major themes of Korra Alone (which will get its own analysis one day). Korra’s injuries and trauma from the season 3 finale caused her to cut herself off from others, and while time away to heal was undoubtedly necessary, to complete her healing Korra must reconnect to the world and others.

This journey starts with a pilgrimage to the swamp, which in atla is where Aang learns that separation is an illusion as all of the vines are connected. Here Toph removes the last of the poison in Korra enabling her to connect to the avatar state. Korra also learns to use the spirit vines to see the world- she is reconnected spiritually.

Upon regaining her spiritual connection Korra is able to reach out to the air kids- her family- and begin to reforge the relationships she had disconnected herself from.

Kuvira, alternately has an opposite arc as she becomes more isolated. We see that Kuvira is emotionally distant as those who are supposedly in the inner circle, Bolin and Varrick riding in her car on the train, have no knowledge of the true nature of Kuvira’s regime. Her confrontations with Su culminating in operation Beifong where she physically fights her mother figure showcase Kuvira cutting herself from her family. By the finale her loyalest followers (Varrick, Bolin, Zhu Li) and her family have deserted her, all she has left is Bataar Jr. who she is willing to kill in cold blood for her cause. (Look, while we all know Kuvira is sapphic this is still a significant move, bataar was nothing but loyal and a true friend to her, possible her only real ally)

Ultimately this is Kuvira’s undoing. Bolin, Varrick, and Zhu—Li warn of Kuvira’s impending attack on Republic City and the spirit gun. Opal, Lin, and Bolin break out and recruit the rest of the Beifong family. And finally Bataar jr. provided the krew with the intel needed to take down Kuvira’s mech.

The mech acts as a symbol for Kuvira, as it operates as a giant armour for herself, and is similarly dismembered, all of its limbs isolated just like Kuvira has become. It is only when she lies in the wreck of her armour that Kuvira sees how isolated she has become.

Just as Kuvira the mech is destroyed through dismemberment/isolation, Korra is only able to dismember the mech as a team, with Asami, Hiroshi, Varrick and Zhu-Li creating the hole to enter the suit, Lin and Su taking out the gun, Mako and Bolin taking out the spirit vines, and Korra the head Kuvira.

Korra, and us, need other people, to be healthy and happy – to be balanced.

In Conclusion: The Final Confrontation

Kuvira is the perfect villain to capstone the Legend of Korra because while she is a foil to the Korra at the end of season 4 she is in many ways similar to Korra’s past self. Kuvira is the perfect villain for the series finale because she demonstrates how much Korra has grown since her introduction.

This growth culminates in Korra’s ability to recognize herself in her enemies “we’re a lot a like”, a statement that when said by her adversaries was once seen as an insult now a realization of moral ambiguity.

In their final confrontation rather then taking Kuvira out Korra offers Kuvira forgiveness, a chance for redemption. While moves like this can cause discourse in fandoms (she was a fascist and she lives but x innocents die etc), in terms of symbolic story telling it is very significant as Kuvira in many respects represents Korra’s past self, and has become the isolated Korra of Korra alone, for Korra to forgive Kuvira is to forgive herself.

[wastetimeandtype]

KUVIRA WINS STORY/ NEXT AVATAR (SUMMARY)

--I’m not going to finish this. I haven’t touched the story in years. Honestly I just don’t want to write something as bleak as this story anymore, I was in a weird place when I came up with this. However, I am still fond of it, and I think it’s some of my more solid writing (I wrote 25k) if you can forgive the more edgelord elements, but I won’t be finishing it. I will say this was never meant to be tonally similar nor do I want this story to happen in canon, it was just an extreme ending to book 4 I found interesting to explore.

CONTWNT WARNING: This takes an extremely uncharitable view of Kuvira and is overall pretty depressing, so be forewarned that this story summary mentions death and one instance of rape.

So, general backstory:

- The hummingbird suits fail and they don’t manage to enter the colossus. Jinora is seriously injured, and the group try and regroup but are captured.

- Kuvira drugs Korra with the toxin that incapacitated her that time in Zaofu the Red Lotus tried to kidnap her. Kuvira executes Bolin, Varrick and Zhu-Li for betraying her (this story is bleak...)

- Kuvira tries to win Korra over by talking to her and appealing that they’re similar. This doesn’t work, and also Kuvira just executed Bolin. Anyway she eventually gets pissed and tortures Asami and Mako in front of Korra. Korra manages to break through to the Avatar State but as she is poisoined she is not all powerful and Kuvira manages to kill her. Korra dies surrounded by Korra and Asami.

- In the months that follow, Hiroshi Sato and Asami and encouraged to work for Kuvira. Asami is aghast and the two plan an escape. Hiroshi dies in the escape attempt. Asami looks around the cells for Mako, but she can’t find him- at this point, they hadn’t seen eachother since Korra died and he was moved. She leaves Republic City by boat, vowing to take back the city. (note. Hiroshi’s fate was never fully decided, but I didn’t write him into my first draft so i assume I meant for him to be dead).

- Wu, meanwhile, managed to escape the encroaching forces from Kuvira as many of the refugees were evacuated to the Fire Nation just before full control was given. He then lives there in political exile.

- The Fire Nation declares war on Kuvira’s regime after they get confirmation that the Avatar is dead, along with the Water Tribes. Kuvira makes good progress conquering some of the islands, but the Fire Nation manages to make Hummingbird suits which destroys the mecha, and out of desperation starting making their own spirit nukes. This forces the war to a stalemate to aavoid further huge losses. However,  they do not sign a peace treaty, only a cessation of fighting. Kuvira releases some political prisoners like Iroh and the Air Nation as a sign of goodwill but Izumi and the Fire Nation won’t sign a treaty without the return of sovereignty to the United Republic. Kuvira refuses.

- Kuvira renames Republic City to Empire City, because originality, and makes it the capital. She rules the nation under an iron fist. All benders are made to register, with fire and waterbenders being treated the worst.

- MEANWHILE  Kuvira released Opal (airbender) but not the rest of the Beifongs. Opal is PISSED. She teams up with Asami and set up the United Republic Liberation Front, with volunteers from refugees from all over the world.

- Whilst this is happening, Zaheer and the Red Lotus’s ideology sees a resurgence of popularity and Zaheer is broken out of his prison to lead the Red Lotus. So we now have to rebel factions, and the URLF does not trust the Red Lotus because of the whole trying to murder Korra thing, and the Red Lotus doesn’t like that they plan to put Wu on the throne in the Earth Kingdom.

- The Air Nation relocates to the Fire Nation, but some like Meelo join the URLF, and some rejoin the Red Lotus. The Air Nation implicitly opposses the Earth Empire so any airbender is viewed as a terrorist.

- The Fire Nation implicitly support the URLF, the Earth Empire knows it, but the two nations are still at a stalemate due to the spirit nukes.

- Opal and Asami begin a relationship out of shared grief (they have lost their family, friends, and romantic interest (Asami didn’t even get to date Korra). They also vow to try and rescue Mako, as they don’t know what happened to him, but they suspect he’s imprisoned with other lightning benders.

- A young child named Xan is born in the Earth Kingdom. His single mother dies young, so he is raised in an orphanage. He is a talented earthbender, but one day when it’s cold, he warms his hands up with firebending. He is whisked away to Kuvira’s mansion in Empire City. He sees her as a mother figure and is very close with her. Xan, the Avatar, is brought up to be a loyal member of the regime, and doesn’t doubt it otherwise.

STORY PROPER

- Xan is super happy with Unification Day! They celebrate the day Kuvira unified the Empire by conquering Empire City. They even have a play called the Unification Play. Bolin and Varrick are portrayed as evil and duplitious,  propoganda runs rife. He is nearly seventeen.

- Xan is very loyal to the Earth Empire but chafes under the rule. He has mastered Earth and Fire, but struggles with airbending (as they have no teachers) and waterbending isn’t coming naturally either. He runs away from his bodyguard Iseul to have some fun on Unification Day. Iseul is a tall, metalbending soldier woman and around twenty-four. She is very by the book and has a strong sense of justice, and does not go out of her way to terrorise the fire and waterbenders like other members of the metalbending ruling class. However, Iseul is incredibly loyal to Xan, and loves him as a brother.

- Xan is reprimanded by Iseul and Kuvira for running off since he is a massive target for the evil rebels. Kuvira gives a speech to the crowd, but is targeted by an airbending assassin who is shot down by metalbending gaurds. She has insignia from the Red Lotus on her person so she is considered a terrorist. Zaheer is moved up to the top of the most wanted list above Asami and Opal.

- After this is Xan sees a vision of Korra. She has been trying to contact him, but Kuvira tells him to suppress these visions and that spirits are trying to influence him. He has no other education so he believes her. So he continues to ignore KOrra trying to get through to him.

- Xan is also generally an anxious mess and worries about the pressure.

- Xan watches soap operas with Kobi, his loyal servant of a similar age. Xan loves gossip and relationship drama. It’s his major flaw other than being an Earth Empire loyalist. He lives at the Air Temple with lots of guards which Kuvira turned into acomodation for him. Xan’s identity to the public is still kept secret, it’s just seen as more training barracks.

- Xan accompanies Kuvira to watch people being sentenced for being horrible people and also being anti regime. A waterbender is sentenced to a re-education camp, and her look to him strikes a nerve and disturbs him. Xan also visits a spirit weapons facility where they are attacked by a corrupted spirit (like in book 2) as all the spirit vine weaponry is causing the spiritual world to be out of whack and the spirits are angry (not helped by Xan ignoring his spiritual side).

- However Kobi briefly mentions that maybe Kuvira isn’t right all the time which causes Xan to snap at him. Xan is loyal.

- A few days later Kobi sneaks Xan out for some underage drinking but the drinks are actually drugged. Kobi is working for the URLF! Kobi is a trained liar so he evaded the truth seers under Kuvira’s employ. The URLF manage to get to the Air Temple, kidnap Xan in a submarine and take him away. This is the worst part of what I wrote because of how easy it was, and would be revised.

- Anyway Opal is on the submarine and takes Xan to the URLF base which is on a Southern Air Temple island (not the air temple itself, if that makes sense). They have an advanced cave system within the mountain to hideout.

- Opal on the trip is like ‘what up Xan’ and Xan is pissed and enters the Avatar State. They calm him down as he has nowhere to go as he is in a submarine. Xan is like ‘Bolin is shit fuck you’ and Opal hates this little shit. Xan can’t stand Kobi, who tries to say this is for the best and that Kuvira is wrong. Kobi is half a waterbender and hasn’t seen his mother in years as she didn’t register herself and was taken away to a camp, so Kobi joined the URLF. Xan has some sympathies, but can’t trust Kobi as Kobi has demonstrated that he is an excellent liar.

- They get to the hideout where we meet Asami. Asami and Opal are the leaders of the URLF. They imprison Xan for a bit where Korra again appears like ‘what up’ and he’s like go away. Asami lets Xan out of his prison to show him ‘Nuktuk’ because Asami is trying to explain to Xan bias and propoganda. She also offers that they’ll teach him airbending and his freedom around the complex in exchange for open-mindedness to their organisation. It’s better than being in a cell so Xan agrees. Asami also tells Xan that Kuvira killed Korra, and that she tortured Asami and Mako. Xan is disturbed, and also has no information on where Mako currently is. Opal is pretty pissed at Asami for basically doing this behind her back. (They have a slightly strained romance). Xan loves this drama. He is roomed with Kobi as Asami is like ‘you can room with your friend’ forgetting that Xan doesn’t like Kobi. Should be clear that Xan is pretty much trapped on this island as he has no control over the Avatar State and can’t bend water.

MEANWHILE

- Iseul really fucked up and Kuvira admonishes her for being a bad bodyguard. Iseul deeply cares for Xan and asks Kuvira to be allowed to go find Xan and Kuvira agrees (note: i do not like this plot point. I think it makes more sense for Iseul to go anyway despite Kuvira’s refusal).

- Iseul travels to a small town where she knows where rebels have had activity the Earth Empire is trying to stamp out. She decides to integrate with them, get close to the leadership, find Xan. She saves two members from the metalbending police starts to get friendly with the rebels. However they aren’t the URLF, they’re actually aligned with the Red Lotus, but on the ground, in towns, they often function fairly similar. Iseul decides to accompany a small group who are travelling down to another town with URLF contacts. She also meets Chatit, a prominent leader of the URLF. They flirt with eachother a little bit. Iseul wonders what she’s doing. THIS IS WHERE I STOPPED WRITING, THE REST IS PURE NOTES.

- Iseul and the Red Lotus gang get sidetracked by a member along the journey saying they think they found a bunch of lightning benders in a prison. The Red Lotus decides to break them out, Iseul reluctantly agrees to this to prove she is loyal to the cause so she can integrated with the URLF when the time comes. Of course, Mako’s in the prison! With a child named Akane. Iseul rescues Mako personally as he has an injured leg and they start to bond. Iseul also gets along with Akane.

- Akane is the daughter of Akane, another lightning bender Mako fell in love with in prison. She reveals she’s not Mako’s biological daughter, but the product of rape from one of the guards. Iseul is horrified, and does make her doubt the integrity of the regime she loves.

- Chatit decides, ‘hey, let’s go to Zaheer instead! We can get him on side when we go see the URLF and Mako is now a bargaining chip’. Mako is very unamused by this whole situation. He just wants to see Asami and Opal. He also likes Iseul not only for saving him but it’s clear that she doesn’t really believe in Zaheer and he likes that she thinks for herself.

- Chatit brings Mako to Zaheer’s secret camp in the woods and he’s like ‘what up Zaheer I brought you the guy who killed Ming-Hua!’ Zaheer does not give a shit as he is beyond grudges and admonishes a Chatit for not getting their philosophy. However doesn’t mind using Mako as a bargaining chip.

- mako is like to Iseul ‘Chatit is as bad with Zaheer as the metalbendera are with Kuvira’ and Iseul is like wait... that’s ME. She doesn’t say this aloud though but she now thinks Chatit is a complete weirdo because he simps for Zaheer so hard. Iseul’s faith in the regime is still shaken but Iseul is still dedicated to finding Xan and making sure he’s safe.

MEANWHILE (we’d cut back and forth between the two POV’s, so this is all mixed in with eachother).

— Xan struggles to learn airbending as he doesn’t know what true freedom is.

- Wu visits and is like ‘hey let’s party! You guys are so miserable!’ Wu also has a hunky Fire Nation boyfriend now. However Xan gleans from Wu that he intends to regain the throne, and also be the last King. The bloodline dies with him.

- Xan and Kobi have a little dance at this party. Opal and Asami make up. Xan is enthralled.

- Xan starts to make some progress with airbending so Opal and Asami decide to bring him on a boat to the Southern Water Tribe to visit the spirit portal in the hope he’ll be able to reconnect with Korra properly there by force instead of him burying it.

— they get to the Southern Water Tribe by Air Bison. The Souther Warter Tribe is attacked by Kuvira’s forces. Corrupted spirits also attack and wreck havoc amongst the general populace and the forces.

— in the chaos Korra reappears before Xan and he connects with her. She brings him to the moment of her death, and he feels her pain and is horrified, and it confirms the torture side of the story. Xan snaps back, enters the Avatar state and leaves with Asami and Opal.

— this is where the story gets a little shaky, but Xan still tries to believe he might be able to get through to Kuvira.

MEANWHILE

Word spreads that the Avatar has returned! Iseul sends some sort of message to the Earth empire forces to ask if they have Xan back. This is intercepted by the Red Lotus. Mako is horrified as the whole group realised she is a traitor. They move to execute her but Mako does step in since Iseul saved him from the prison, but declares to her to never interact with him and his daughter again. Which is sad as Iseul was getting a big sister bond with Akane. Akane does apologise to Mako but he’s having none of it. He just feels manipulated and he is so, so tired.

— not been clear but Mako’s mental state isn’t great. He’s been in prison for around seventeen years, witnessed the execution of his brother, and murder of Korra. He’s a bit fucked. His leg is also in poor condition and can’t fight well, he’s basically just been used to power lightning for years. Akane is the only thing that keeps him going. He wants to make sure she’s safe with Asami and Opal. Plus he’s also being used as a bargaining chip.

— the Red Lotus finally get to the URLF contacts. They manage to speak to Asami and Opal who are like ‘whooo Mako!’ and agree to a meeting with Zaheer. Xan decides to come too.

— Iseul and Mako are transferred to the URLF. Iseul finally decides to give up some crucial information— the Earth Empire intends to use its spirit weapons again soon, as they anticipate that the Fire Nation will use the comet in years to come to destroy the Earth Empire. They intend to use such an intense, short blast that the Fire Nation can’t respond.

— the URLF and Red Lotus decided they must band together, but they have to get the Fire Nation on side to attack the Earth Empire unexpectedly.

— Xan decides he must speak to Kuvira. Get her to see reason. Everyone tells him he’s delusional so he steals an Air Bison to get himself there before the attack.

— Before they fight, Mako, Opal and Asami have a tearful reunion. Mako can’t fight as he isn’t well, but he does bid them farewell.

— once there, Kuvira will not see reason. They fight and fight and fight, while the Fire Nation ships arrive with a shit tonne of weapons s, and the Earth empire prepares to use its weapons. Xan realised that it’s going to be an all out death battle, mutually assured destruction, so he kills Kuvira in a very long fight where he goes into the Avatar state (at this point he is pretty good at airbending but cannot waterbenders still).

— war is averted. Xan is traumatised and pissed. Korra reminds him that he isn’t some weapon— he’s been told what to do all his life, even by the URLF. So against proper protocol as suggested by Asami, he grabs all the spirit weapons in a big hurricane from both sides, and blows them up, forming a massive explosion (it could form a spirit portal like in book 4, but I don’t want to take Korra’s moment).

— the URLF establish control over Republic City. Asami is appointed temporary president. Wu is named King of the Earth Kingdom. Immediate release from the camps occur and the metalbending police are disbanded. Opal is re-United with her family.

— Zaheer says nothing and does nothing more after removing Kuvira, Though he does nod at Xan after the end— is it respect or a warning? Does Zaheer intend to try and kill the Avatar a second time?

— Asami and Mako enter a relationship, with Opal and Asami continuing theirs. It’s a poly life. Mako doesn’t really forgive Iseul but does tell her he might one day, and Iseul vows to make sure there is true justice for everyone.

— Xan is traumatised and hurt and realised he still has much more to learn. He decides to sneak away to the Northern Water Tribe. Kobi tells him it’s okay if he needs to spend some time alone, but he can have company if he needs it. Xan accepts and Xan and Kobi board a ship to the Northern Water Trube.

The endddd.

* I do realise Kobi has little impact on the plot after he spies for the URLF. He would mostly appear as Xan’s friend in the story and Xan would eventually trust him again. Hinted relationship between the two as he was the only person that Xan was honest with that wasn’t Iseul, and only she did it sometimes.

* I realised a while ago there there was an issue with Mako’s subplot not brought up here, that if Kuvira imprisoned him, wouldn’t she try and use him as bait with Opal and Asami? Or even execute him to send a message. Something. So I did come up with a backstory that Mako escaped prison but was recaptured, and went under a false name. It was only noticed that he was Mako because Iseul studied all the history books and recognised him as valuable during his rescue. None of this was developed beyond my own notes but it solves some logic issues, though is a bit contrived still to make this subplot work.

[vampwritesstuff]

Wing Beifong x OC / Part 1

Before this starts, you should know a few things about my OC.

Her name is Kana Soshi. She is an earthbender and is blind in her left eye, Lin taught her seismic sense, she is unable to metalbend. Has helped Lin out at the Republic City police department before and considers her as somewhat of a mother figure. She’s known Bolin and Mako for a long time and she met Korra and Asami through them, Bolin is her best friend.

Yes, I know that some of the events are out of order, I didn’t feel like rewatching the episode. But without further ado, here is part 1!

Wordcount; 5,203

“So are we sure there’s an airbender in Zaofu?” Kana asked as she leaned against the cool metal of the airship they’re currently flying in, she would have much rather been on the ground where her Earthbending and seismic sense were of use to her. Even though she could use seismic sense, she could not metal bend, and that made being on this airship insufferable, not being able to combine metal bending with her seismic sense could not have been more infuriating to her. “Yes, Kana, we’re positive that there will be an airbender there.” Korra said as she and the rest of Team Avatar sat around the area.

Kana absentmindedly stared off at nowhere while she played with a strand of her brown hair. One of her green eyes had a certain gloss over it, a tell-tell sign that she was blind in one eye, she was glad to have her seismic sense for that reason as when in battle her eyesight was often a hindrance in her ability to fight and know where and who she was aiming at.

Constantly, Bolin would ask Kana to teach him, and every time she tried, he could never seem to get it down. But that didn’t discourage him and that made her happy that he had such a strong spirit. So when they landed in Zaofu, a little bit of her detested the fact half the city was made of metal, but she quickly forgot that as her bare feet touched the ground. “Finally, my bending can be of some use to me.” Kana smiled as Bolin came up next to her, putting his arm around her, “C’mon, Kana, being on the airship wasn’t that bad!” He mentioned, “But when most of your sight and bending depend on being on the ground, I would rather have blown up that airship.” She pouted to her best friend.

“Hello! Welcome to Zaofu, home of the metal clan.” A gray haired woman said as she came out to greet them. “I’m Suyin Beifong, the matriarch of the clan.” She smiled at everyone. Kana smirked to herself, realizing now why Chief Beifong wanted to stay on the airship. She figured Lin might have some bad blood with her family in Zaofu. As everyone walked, they met Opal, she was the airbender. “Pleasure to meet you Opal!” Kana said happily as Suyin led them all away and towards an arena type place. It had large metal columns placed in it and it was placed deeper into the ground than where the group stood. “Those are my two youngest, Wei and Wing. They’re playing a game called power disc. Came up with the game themselves.” She told each of them as they watched the boys bend a metal disc at each other and hit the columns. That continued back and forth until one of them missed the disc and it flew into the net behind the raven haired boy, a bright red light lit up and a buzzer was heard, “And Wing goes down!” Shouted the boy, whom Kana could assume was Wei.

Her sight lingered on Wing a little longer than she would let on. Suyin turned to her and Bolin, “Do you two metalbend? The boys would be happy to teach you power disc.” Her smile fell as both of them shook their heads, “We don’t, but Kana here uses seismic sense!” Bolin boasted for her, Kana sheepishly rubbed her arm as Suyin smiled at her, “Well that's wonderful to hear, I’m sure you would love to learn to metalbend, we can teach you.” She offered. “Oh, I only use my seismic sense to help me see because I’m blind in one eye, I’ve tried metalbending before, it's never worked for me.” Kana sighed as she saw the look of pity from Suyin, she hated people knowing about her sight problem, she hated the looks of pity anyone would give her once they found out, she despised that everyone would dote on her once they knew.

Thankfully, Su’s advisor came up and whispered something in Suyin’s ear that made her eyes widen. “Avatar Korra, why did you lie about this being the only people you had with you?” She questioned as everyone’s eyes went wide. Kana knew she was talking about Lin, she watched in amusement as Korra and everyone else stuttered over their words. “Well, you see, our chief of police didn’t want everyone to know she was here and asked us not to tell. But since the secret is out, I guess Chief Beifong is gonna have to deal with it.” At Kana’s words, Suyin’s eyes widened, “Lin’s here? Well I would love to see her.” She said, leaving everyone all confused. She had stopped paying attention to Su’s words as her eyes went back to the playing arena, Landing on the two twins playing another game of power disc, not noticing everyone was heading inside until Bolin pulled her away.

At the dinner table, Kana sat in between Bolin and Asami. She loved Asami, she was her greatest friend other than Bolin, though Kana hated how she always tried to convince her to wear shoes, to which Kana would always tell her no and end the conversation at that. It didn’t fail to happen that night either as everyone was preparing for dinner.

“Come on, Kana! It's just for an hour at least!” Asami pleaded as she held a pair of flats in her face, pushing them away Kana gave Asami an exasperated look, “How many times do I have to tell you no? I don’t like shoes, they mess with my seismic sense!” She told her as she gave a sigh, knowing Kana wasn’t going to ever change her mind about shoes.

So there they sat, at a fancy table with the Beifong family eating the fancy dish that their chef prepared, she didn’t bother to remember the name of the dish. Kana looked to the head of the table as Suyin cleared her throat and addressed her. “So, Kana, how did you come to learn seismic sense?” She asked, Kana noticed that the entire Beifong family had their attention on her, “Well, Chief Beifong taught me after the accident that caused me to go blind in my left eye.” She said shortly, placing her fork down on her plate. That caught the twins attention, as well as Suyin’s, “If you don’t mind me asking,” Kana knew where this question was going, “How exactly did you become blind in that eye?” she asked, she and everyone else seemed to genuinely want to know, any time some one would ask, Kana would brush them off. But this was the matriarch of the metal clan, and she did not want to disappoint her.

So Kana let a heavy sigh leave her mouth before speaking, “Back when I was 12, I got caught in the middle of a turf war between the triple threats and some other gang. I was suppoesed to be with Li- Chief Beifong but I was dumb and slipped away from her as soon as I got the chance to explore.” She took a breath before continuing, everyone was paying close attention. “While I was looking at some stuff I realised that some triple threats and other thugs were fighting each other, next thing I knew, some stray ice shard from a waterbender hit me in the eye, and that's when Chief Beifong got there and saw me, she took care of the gangs and later healers said that they could not repair the damage done to my eye. At first I was able to see out of it just barely, but over time the sight completely left my eye.” She said, running a gentle finger over the skin around her eye as Kana stared down at the table, everyone had a solemn look on their faces, Bolin placed his hand on her shoulder while Asami did the same with the other shoulder. Silently Kana stood from the table and cleared her throat, “I’m going to turn in for the night.” She said and quietly left to her room for the time being. As she shut the door, Kana placed herself on the floor and let a gentle sob escape her throat.

Losing her sight had really impacted Kana, and everyone in the dining room could tell. Asami sighed, “I see why she hates wearing shoes now.” Trying to lighten the mood, “You know, this is the first time she’s talked about the accident since it first happened.” A voice said from the doorway, everyone looked over and was surprised to see Lin even after she had stormed out earlier on during dinner. “ What do you mean?” Wing asked as he looked at his aunt, “Exactly what I just said, losing her sight in that eye was very traumatic for her, she had nightmares for weeks afterwards.” Lin told them, everyone's eyes softened and Lin scoffed. “You all act like it affects you too, Kana is a tough young woman, I taught her seismic sense so she could still kick ass when she helped me out at the police station. She was more angry than sad about losing her sight, also, she despises anyone giving her pity. So if you’re gonna do that any time you’re around her then don’t bother speaking to her.” Lin said as she walked back out of the room. “Remember when we fought Amon? Kana really did beat some equalist ass!” Korra laughed as the rest of the team avatar laughed along with her. “I felt so bad when Amon took her bending, but she showed us she didn’t need her bending to fight Amon.” Asami said and they all agreed.

“Oh! Oh! Remember when she threw Unalaq in the air with a pillar of rock? He screamed like a little girl when she was in his face right after he hit the ground!” Bolin laughed loudly, Korra butted in, “And when she punched him in the face for being annoying! She did the same thing to councilman Tarrlok.” She laughed. Everyone at the table had begun laughing at the stories of Kana not giving a shit about who she was beating up.

Wing’s heart fluttered when he heard the stories about her, Kana really seemed like a cool person and he wanted so desperately to get to know her better.

Later that night as he and Wei were preparing to sleep, Wing decided to ask his twin a question, “Hey, Wei?” He began, “Yes, Wing?” Wei responded. “What do you think about Kana?” Wing asked as he set his metal cuffs on his dresser. “Think of her in what way? She seems like a very determined person and I think that’s admirable about her.” Wei told his twin as he sat himself on his bed, “I mean, yeah you’re right about that, but I don’t know.. I get butterflies around her, and hearing all those stories about her just invested me more, what should I do?” Wing ranted as he fell onto his own bed with a deep sigh. A chuckle escaped Wei’s lips, “Seems like you have a crush, Wing. But if you really want something between the two of you, I’d do something before she and the rest of her group leave Zaofu.” Wei advised, Wing nodded his head, thinking deeply.

It was true that Kana, along with everyone else she came with, plus Opal, were going to have to leave at some point to continue the search for more airbenders. So many thoughts clouded Wing’s mind as he tried to think of what he would do. Kana seemed like an angel to him, but he hadn’t even spoken to her once! How was he going to become closer to her if he hadn’t ever spoken to her or introduced himself. Wing couldn’t help the yawn that escaped his mouth, his exhausted state of mind could barely let him think straight. He would deal with his feelings and thoughts in the morning. With that, everyone in the Beifong estate was peacefully asleep.

Sadly, that peace hadn’t lasted long for a certain earthbending girl. Kana bolted up in her bed in a cold sweat, “It was just a nightmare, one I haven’t had since I was younger.” She mumbled to herself as she lifted her body from the emerald green sheets of the bed. She placed her head in her hands and she took deep breaths. “I need some fresh air.” Kana told herself as she stood up and headed towards the door. Opening it, she checked if there were guards around, once she made sure there was none she walked from her room and towards the garden of the Beifong estate. Once outside she let out a breath of relief and sat on the steps in front of the door.

“Can’t sleep?” The voice startled Kana as she wasn’t paying attention to her sense. Turning she saw one of the twins, “Uh, yeah. Rough night.” Kana looked away, she’d be lying if she said she knew which twin he was. “Wanna talk about it?” Wing asked her as he took a seat on the steps, Kana shook her head. “No, but I could use a distraction,” She started, “But first, I’m still not good with telling you twins apart, mind telling me?” Kana gave a sheepish smile to Wing as he laughed, “Yeah, I can help with that, and I’m Wing.” He told her as he stood from the steps and offered a hand to her. Taking it, Kana was surprised at how effortlessly he pulled her up. Wing’s heart fluttered once more as she grabbed his hand, her small hands were cold from the night air but he was disappointed when she pulled her hand from his. “So what's this ‘distraction’ you got for me?” Kana raised an eyebrow at Wing, he smirked and grabbed her hand once again.

Wing pulled her up to one of the metal covers that surrounded the estate, he metalbended an opening large enough to fit through and once both of them were on the other side Wing bended the metal back into place. He continued pulling Kana up a hill where there was a small cliff face, they could see the entirety of Zaofu, “Wow, Wing this is amazing.” Kana said as she sat down with Wing on the grass and looked out at the city, it was even more stunning at night. “Yeah, I found it a while back. I come here every time I need a distraction or to just clear my thoughts.” Wing said as he looked over at the brown haired girl that sat next to him, admiring the city. Wing took the moment to really study the girl beside him, taking in little details like how her short hair would flow with every breeze and the way the moonlight reflected in her eyes, the small smile placed on her lips as she closed her eyes. Kana looked at peace, and Wing was thoroughly enjoying the look. Then she opened her eyes and looked at him, Wing blushed as he’d been caught staring, “We should get back to the estate, we don’t want anyone finding out we’re gone and getting worried.” Kana told him, ignoring his stare as she stood up and pulled him up with her.

They walked down the hill in silence until they got back to the steps in front of the garden, “Wing,” Kana put her hand on Wing’s shoulder before he left to go inside, “Thank you for tonight. It means a lot.” She told him as she walked passed and back to her room. Wing stood there, a blush on his face and a hand on the shoulder that she touched. He walked back to his and Wei’s room in a daze and held a stupid grin for the rest of the night until he fell asleep. Kana had a peaceful sleep for the rest of the night, glad that she had spent some time with Wing to clear her head.

The next morning, Kana sat on the steps as she watched the twins spar with Korra and Bolin, well spar wasn’t the right word for Bolin. “I can’t believe I’m sparring with the Avatar!” Wing said excitedly after he tangled Korra in her own cables, the same couldn’t be said for Wei, “I can’t believe I’m stuck with her friend.” Wei complained, Bolin tried to bend the meteorite at Wei but it fell from his hands, “Hold on I got it,” Bolin tried, ���Don’t got it.” He slumped over, Kana gave an encouraging smile, “Don’t worry, Bo, you’ll get it eventually.” She offered him a thumbs up and he smiled, but that quickly turned to horror as he dodged metal being thrown at him by Wei, “Trial by fire, best way to learn!” Wei claimed as he continued shooting at Bolin, finally Bolin picked up a small rock and bended it at Wei, hitting him in the forehead just as Mako and Asami showed up. “Nice shot little bro, but I thought this was supposed to be metalbending?” Mako asked as Wei agreed while rubbing the spot the rock hit, “Yeah, cheater.” Wei grumbled. “Listen, Mako, metalbending is extremely hard! Only 1 in 100 earthbenders can metalbend.” Bolin stated before everyone turned to Kora as she took Wing down with some metal, proceeding to jump in the air, “Woohoo! Metalbending champion!” She exclaimed, bringing her arms up to show off her well toned muscles. Bolin gave a comical look, “She’s the Avatar, that doesn’t count!” He stated, Kana giggled at how Bolin was acting.

“You guys might wanna get cleaned up, Opal’s farewell dinner is soon.” Asami told everyone, Kana saw Bolin slump once more and begin to sulk. Kana walked over and lightly patted his shoulder, “Hey, you’ll see her again once we are finished looking for more airbenders.” Kana comforted him, although that only seemed to perk him up less than what Kana thought it would. “Hey. Kana, why don’t you try metalbending?” Korra questioned the brunette, “Oh, I’ve tried before. Never worked, and besides, I’m fine with my seismic sense.” She said before sighing, “But it would be nice so I could use my sense on that damned airship.” Kana added before Bolin swung an arm around her shoulder, earning a jealous glare from Wing, “Alright, alright. We know you hate the airship.” Bolin teased as he ruffled her hair, earning a nice punch to the gut from Kana, a laugh erupted as Bolin doubled over in pain. “I didn’t even punch you that hard.” She rolled her eyes, Mako let out a playful scoff, “Kana, even your softest punches hurt.” He laughed, Kana’s eyes widened before her eyebrows furrowed, “Do they really?” She asked, everyone, besides Wing and Wei, nodded with a laugh at how confused Kana looked. “Why do you think I refuse to do hand to hand combat with you?” Korra laughed, she truly did not enjoy being punched by her, Kana shrugged, “I just thought you didn’t wanna hurt me, miss Avatar.” Kana jokingly used the nickname she gave Korra when they met for the first time, Korra wasn’t a fan of it but never told her to stop.

“Anyways, are we just gonna stand around talking about how you guys can’t handle a punch, or are we gonna clean up for Opal’s dinner?” Kana asked, changing the subject. Everyone nodded and headed to their temporary rooms to prepare. Kana settled on taking a shower in her room’s adjoined bathroom, as the warm water hit her body, she relaxed and gave a small smile. It felt nice to clean the dirt away from her skin as she scrubbed it with a milk and honey scented body wash. After scrubbing her hair with shampoo and conditioner and washed it out, Kana stepped out of the shower and shivered as the cool air hit her wet skin. Wrapping a towel around herself, Kana proceeded to dry off in her room and get dressed in a bathrobe, lazily, Kana walked to Korra’s room and knocked on the door. Korra answered, “Yes?” She asked, “Hey, wanna do me a favor and bend the water out of my hair, please?” Kana asked hopefully, with an amused sigh, Korra nodded and bended the water from Kana’s hair and moved the water to her own bathroom sink. Thanking her, Kana left and headed back to her own room. Once there, she sat down at the vanity table, Kana examined herself before deciding that she didn’t need any makeup for the dinner. Instead, she went to the wardrobe and chose a lovely forest green dress like a robe that had many silver embellishments, putting the dress on made Kana feel like she was some kind of earthbending princess. Laughing at herself, Kana placed the large silver necklace around her neck as it hung right above her breasts, she grabbed the arm cuffs and placed each one on both of her wrists before placing two ankle cuffs on her own ankles, to finish the outfit, Kana placed a metal belt piece around her waist. Kana twirled in front of the mirror and smiled, this was by far the most expensive clothing she had ever worn. A knock at the door startled Kana from her trance, “Hey, Kana, it's Korra and Asami. Are you ready for dinner?” Korra questioned loudly from the other side of the door, “Yeah,” she started as she opened the door, “I’m ready.” She looked up at Asami and Korra, they both were staring at her with wide eyes, “Does it not look good?” Kana asked self consciously, “No! You look amazing! We just never expected you to dress up so nicely.” Asami assured the earthbender, and received a smile as Kana saw Korra nod in agreement, “Well then, lets go knock the socks off those boys.” Kana winked at both Asami and Korra as she walked past them and towards the dining room.

Once they stood in front of the door, the guards opened it and everyone stopped what they were doing, most of the boys’ stares were focused on Kana as she took a seat between Bolin and Wing, “What’s with the look, Bo? You’ve seen me dress up before.” She giggled, “Yeah, but never in earth kingdom clothing!” He exclaimed, “I guess you’re right.” She thought before paying attention to what the chef had made for the dinner, he had made Opal’s favorite veggie wraps. Kana didn’t exactly care to listen to whatever mush Bolin was spewing to Opal, so she turned to Wing, “How has your day been so far?” She asked him once she had finished a bite of her food, “It’s been great! I mean, I got to spar with Korra which was totally cool. But I’ll admit I’m going to miss Opal.” Wing said, gaining a sad tone towards the end of his response. In a kind gesture, Kana put a hand on Wing's shoulder and offered a sympathetic smile, then she was hit with an idea, “Wanna sneak out tonight and go to the hill?” She asked referring to the cliff that he had shown her the night before when neither of them could sleep. Wing perked up and gave a fast nod, “Yeah, that’d be awesome.” He told her, trying to contain his excitement.

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly, and soon everyone was leaving to prepare for bed, except for Kana and Wing. Kana did put on some more comfortable clothes before she would meet up with Wing. They both had decided to wait until everyone else seemed to be asleep so they could meet. But the sound of someone yelling caught Kana’s attention, she opened her door in confusion as Bolin ran past, in the process he grabbed her wrist and pulled her along, “Bolin! What’s going on?” She shouted at him, “They’ve got Korra!” He exclaimed, passing more doors as he ran towards the outside of the estate. He had already woken up Mako and Asami, so she pulled her wrist from his grasp and started to run at his pace.

Once outside, Kana finally understood who Bolin was talking about. There was a group of four people running through the courtyard, one had Korra slung across his shoulder. Thinking quickly, Kana created a rock wall in front of the group. They quickly stopped and turned to see who stopped them, “Leave Korra alone!” Kana shouted, jogging towards them to get close and dodging blasts of rock and water. Her seismic sense had instinctively kicked in and Kana was able to narrowly avoid a rock coming at her from behind. She stomped a foot on the ground, using a large chunk of earth to throw at the intruders. Kana noticed that Bolin had only been staring in awe as Kana skillfully dodged attacks from multiple angles, “Bolin! Get your ass over here!” She yelled, momentarily she was distracted and didn’t notice the large rock that had been aimed at her.

A painful cry had alerted everyone else to where they were, and as they got there they saw Kana struggle to her feet as Bolin tried to deflect any attempt to knock her back down. Once she fully stood up, Kana gave the others one glance before turning back to the people that had Korra. Everyone noticed the change in Kana’s attitude and it sent a shiver down their backs. Kana angrily ripped a large portion of rock from the ground and hurled it at Korra’s captors but, much to Kana’s displeasure, the man with long greasy black hair had deflected it. Finally everyone else was working with you and Bolin to get Korra back, they had a chance to run and they took it, but they were unexpectedly caged in by large metal panels. Those present turned to see where the metal came from and they saw Wing, Wei, Su, and Lin. “Thank the spirits.” Kana muttered as she had a moment to breath, but that moment didn’t last long before lava started to pool from under the makeshift trap and melt the panels, “That guy can lava bend! That’s so cool!” Bolin exclaimed, but noticed everyone’s deadpanned looks, “But very bad! Very bad for us.” He corrected himself.

“Are you all okay?” Su asked as she pulled a panel to protect the group from the tall lady’s explosions. “Could totally be better.” Kana quipped sarcastically as she bended a rock at the group, only for it to be deflected once again by the earth bender. “Watch out!” Wing said as he pulled Kana back down as another explosion was sent her way, narrowly missing her but a sharp rock hit her forehead, and it began bleeding down her face. “Thanks.” Was Kana’s short reply as she kept them distracted long enough for the others to devise a plan, ignoring the pain of her cut and the looks of worry from her friends. Su, Lin, and the twins would go on top of the dome and drop in from above and grab Korra while the others would distract and temporarily stun the combustion lady. Stunning the lady was up to Kana and Bolin.

“Ugh! We can’t get a clear shot!” Bolin exclaimed a few minutes later as his and Kana’s attempts were continuously shot down. “Are we a go?” One of the twins asked from the radio, “No go! No go!” Bolin and Mako shouted, “Go? Got it!” Came the voice again, “No! Don’t go! No go!” Mako repeated into the radio but it was already too late. Lin and Su were already lowering from above, “C’mon Bo, we’ve gotta make this shot or Lin and Su are toast!” Kana gripped Bolin’s shoulders. He nodded and they both took a small piece of rock, then the combustion lady looked up and Kana saw their chance, “Now Bolin!” She shouted as she and Bolin tossed their rocks right at her, hitting her not once, but twice in her third eye looking tattoo. Lin was able to grab Korra and soon they were being hauled back up, but the air bender brought his glider out and soared up after the three. As he got closer to Lin, Su grabbed her sister’s cable and swung her out of the way, taking some metal and bending it at the man, successfully ripping the fabric of his glider and he began spiraling downwards.

As he landed, he began to create a large cloud of air, and once it cleared there was no sight of the intruders anywhere. “Where the hell did they go?” Kana asked angrily, as she frantically looked around for any trace of them. Suddenly she became dizzy, Kana placed a hand on her head, finding that her wound from early was still bleeding, “Shit..” She muttered and sat on the grass as she tried to make the spinning stop, “Kana! Are you okay?” Bolin asked worriedly as he saw his friend with her eyes screwed shut and sitting on the ground. Everyone else noticed as well, but Asami was the first to figure out the problem, “Her head is still bleeding! We need to get her medical attention!” She said as Mako picked Kana up from the ground, running up to Su, Lin and the twins. The four gave a confused look until they saw Kana’s condition, and quickly Su led the way to her office where they could patch Korra and Kana up.

At first, Kana was refusing the help, but as her headache worsened she finally gave in and let them wrap a bandage around her head and give her medicine. As the pain went away, Kana found herself slowly growing tired and letting a yawn slip, “I can take you to your room if you’d like?” Wing asked as Kana looked up to him and nodded. He helped her stand up and kept a firm grip on her waist so she wouldn’t fall, “Guess we’re gonna have to take a rain check on going to the hill, huh?” Kana half heartedly joked, “Yeah, guess we are.” Wing said, although he didn’t mind, he just wanted Kana to recover safely. Sometime through the obscurely long walk to Kana’s room, she had fallen asleep and Wing had to carry her to her bed. As he laid her down in the bed and covered the girl with the blanket, she grabbed his hand while half awake from the movements, “Thank you, Wing.” She tiredly stated before falling back asleep. He smiled, hesitantly leaning down and leaving a small kiss on her forehead, then he left the room. Shutting the door and sighing, “You must really have it bad for her.” Wing jumped as he noticed Wei standing in front of him with a smile on his face, Wing nodded, too tired to argue with his brother. “I think she’s warming up to you.” Wei teased as he and his twin walked to their shared room, “Yeah, I think so too.” He said as they both fell on their beds and contently fell asleep.

[patrickstargang]

Forgotten Past, Hidden Future (Legend of Korra fic)

Chapter 1: Looking In The Wrong Places

Chapter 2: Lucky To Have You

Chapter 3: A Lot To Learn

Chapter 4: Kya’s Story

Chapter 5: A Tale of Miazu

Chapter 6: The Avatar’s Love

Final Chapter: The Mural

The dining hall was alive with chatter, but this time it wasn’t just the Air Nomads. The room was filled to the brim with familiar faces. Friends, family, teachers, all together. A jovial feeling was permeating from every corner of the room. This was all after a very important day and a very important decision. Tenzin stood up, ready to make a speech like he usually does (though his speeches are usually for the other Air Nomads).

“Before we get the night started, I wanted to give my greatest gratitude to Korra. Because today she has helped shape the Earth Kingdom in a way that will affect its people for generations to come. Not only has she helped bring a proper restoration to decades of Earth Kingdom history, but now the Earth Kingdom has abolished its laws against open sexuality. We still have a long way to go before it's whole again, but these changes are getting them on the right track to a society that cares for its people rather than upholding the status quo. To Avatar Korra…… we are all truly thankful.”

The room roared with applause. Korra saw all the smiling faces turn her way, she even noticed Bolin trying his best not to be a blubbering mess. Mako and Opal were trying their best to keep him together. Korra also saw Kya, who she noticed was tearing up. She knew she was proud of her. It dawned on her that all that work she put into what was, at first, a simple curiosity was going to change things for the better.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The celebration found its way out to the courtyard, it was later in the day and the dusk was coming over the city.

“I can’t believe you were out there changing the world AGAIN and you didn’t bring us along!” Bolin sounded surprised but in reality, he was just disappointed he didn’t get to go on another adventure.

Korra tried to contain her laughter. Asami, right by her side, was trying to do the same. “Believe me, you didn’t miss much,” said Korra through chuckles. “It was just a bunch of meetings and negotiations with Wu.”

“I mean, yeah….but still we could have been there to support you or something!”

“It's ok, I had Asami there with me. Sometimes it feels shes a better diplomat then I am.”

Asami nudged her on the side. “Hey don’t sell yourself short.”

“She's right.” Tenzin brought himself into the group. “After today, I remembered when you first came to Republic City.”

Korra winced at the thought of that first speech she made, it feels like an embarrassing memory from ages ago.

“But now, your helping settle civil issues for an entire nation, that's something worth celebrating.”

“Exactly!” Bolin added.

Korra laughed again, it was hard to comprehend how much she actually has done in such a short amount of time. Even with her three-year absence the reality of her impact on the world was starting to set in.

Kya also joined in on the group conversation. “Yeah, you kids did pretty well out there.”

“Well, I couldn’t have done it without your meditation techniques.”

Kya had a prideful but joking smirk on her face. Tenzin gave Kya a confused look, considering he was the one always trying to get Korra to meditate. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. She was trying not to giggle at Tenzin’s slow realization.

Korra glanced at Kya, darting her eyes to the side. It felt she was giving her a silent signal. Kya gave her a knowing smile. “By the way Tenzin, I think Varrick got his hands on one of the glider suits. Said something about flying off the tower?”

“Again!?” Tenzin raced off, Bolin went with him just in case he needed help. Kya stayed behind, she looked at Korra and gave her an approving nod. Then she followed Tenzin and the others.

Korra took Asami’s hand as they made their way over to a private spot, the balcony overlooking the spirit portal. There were fond memories associated with this spot, like that day they agreed to take a vacation to the Spirit World. It meant something special to both of them.

“Did you just want to get some alone time?” Asami asked.

“Well, yes but there was something I wanted to tell you.” Korra’s face became serious but still affectionate.

“While I was talking to Kyoshi, I learned a lot more than just Earth Kingdom history. She told me a lot, like how Avatars aren’t the only people in the Spirit World. Apparently, everyone goes there after they die.”

“Everyone?”

Korra nodded. This little bit of information had some massive implications. Then Asami began to realize something.

“So, does that mean my mom and dad are in the Spirit World?”

Korra nodded again, she could sense a feeling of surprise and relief come over Asami.

“But that wasn’t the only thing Kyoshi told me. While I was there, she said that it was important to appreciate the ones I cared for, the ones I loved, while they were still with me. She said that while I have a responsibility as the Avatar, I should take the time to be with others.  And I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, now that all this Earth Kingdom diplomacy stuff is over.”

“Korra,” Asami said softly. She felt breathless.

Korra looked off to the side. “Gosh, I feel so silly. I haven’t even thought this through. I was only thinking about it this morning….but I know I can’t wait any longer.”

Korra got down on one knee. Asami’s eyes widened. Korra held her hand with a great deal of tenderness.

“I love you Asami, and I want to be a part of your life. I know this is all so sudden but I’ve had this feeling for quite some time now. It's hard to think about what life will be like years from now, but I want to be there with you for every step of the way.”

There was a long pause. Korra began to hear sniffling and laughing.

“Well, I guess it's my turn to cry today.”

Korra slowly got back up, still holding on to Asami’s hand. She waited patiently for a response. “So…...what do you say?”

“Honestly,” Asami reached for something in her left pocket, still trying to wipe away tears. “I was thinking the same thing.”

She pulls out a small black jewelry case. Korra’s eyes widen, it feels like her heart has stopped.

“I’ve had it with me for two weeks now. I just wasn’t sure when the time would be right.”

Korra could feel tears welling up, but they would finally release when she saw what was inside. It wasn’t an ordinary ring. The designs around showed many different Water Tribe symbols, but at the center was a metallic drawing of Naga. It was meticulous, like it was handcrafted. She could feel her tears dripping onto her hands.

“Wow,” Korra was at a loss for words. Korra began to laugh softly, but it was overpowered by her weakening voice. “I guess it's my turn to cry as well.”

They both laughed, trying to keep themselves collected. Korra buried her face in her hands. “Gosh, I feel so stupid. You made me this absolutely beautiful ring and I don’t even have anything to show for-”

Asami moved Korra’s hands away from her face and kissed her deeply. They held onto each other as they simmered in the moment. As their lips parted, they stared into each other's eyes. After a moment, Asami was the first to speak.

“You don’t need to get me anything. Being with you is a great enough gift as it is. Oh, and to answer your question…… my answer is yes. I want to be a part of your life too. And I promise I will always be there for you.”

They held onto each other for a long time, both red in the face and smiling almost non stop. No matter what doubts the future might bring, at that moment it felt like everything was right in the world. The only sounds now were the wind, Korra and Asami’s soft breathing as they embraced, and Bolin weeping tears of joy in the background as he and Tenzin returned in the middle of their proposal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Maizu Memorial Site wasn’t on the grounds of the village since it was still converted into a mining town. But there was still a mostly untouched part of the woods in the Earth Kingdom that became the Memorial Site. It showed the history of Maizu while also promoting the traditions and culture of the original villagers. During this time, many who used to live in Maizu were making their way back, not just to see the site but to celebrate the abolishing of the old laws.

Korra and Asami took a vacation to see the site, along with Kya who felt like going down memory lane. It was early in the day, just the time before the crowds would get bigger. Korra and Asami were taking a trail that leads to a part of the Memorial Site that was dedicated to Avatar Kyoshi. Kya decided to stay behind to meet with old friends from her first visit to Maizu.

They held hands while they traveled down the trail, smiling the same way that they did when they first proposed to one another. When they finally arrived, they found a mural painted onto the smoothed side of a mountain. The left side showed Kyoshi in her iconic Avatar appearance, protecting the villagers of Maizu. It was grandiose, evoking the struggle to keep the village alive during its hardest times. And on the right side, it showed Kyoshi as she was. Without the makeup and headpiece, without the stoic appearance. She was accompanied by Rangi and Koko as a young girl.

Asami and Korra looked at the mural fondly, they felt the warmth of each other but also a relieving sense that this history can finally be known to everyone in the Earth Kingdom. They knew it couldn't be erased anymore. In front of the mural was a wooden board, that read:

“This mural is dedicated to Kyoshi, the Earth Avatar, and the Sacred Protector of Maizu. But this mural is also dedicated to the ones she loved. To her daughter Koko, and to Rangi, her bodyguard, teacher, and wife.”

Korra and Asami kept their grip on to one another. Just like Kyoshi and Rangi, they began to realize that they were inseparable. Korra knew that, no matter what happens next, Asami would always be there. And Asami knew that Korra would be there for her.

“I don’t think I want to go back yet,” Asami said playfully. “Let's stay here for a little bit.”

Korra gave her a little nod. They decided to sit down, in the same way that they did when they were meditating with Kya. But there was one difference. They were still holding onto each other.

[justteamavatar]

Thoughts on ruins of the empire 2?

***I decided to hold this off until the comic actually came out, but I’ll be sure to tag this with spoilers!***

I found it to be a pretty solid continuation of RotE part 1 despite having some small issues/concerns with it. It introduced a lot of cool topics into the story and it’s really making me excited for what RotE part 3 has in store for us!

* * * * *

It was nice to see Asami kicking some butt on the airship with Bolin and Mako, but I was a little upset by how quick that scene ended (though I totally understand that they only have so many pages to work with). I guess in a way, the shortness of the fight would make sense – they were surrounded in an enclosed environment, taken by surprise, and Bolin didn’t have any access to his natural element either. It would put the team at a disadvantage since the element of earth can easily wipe out large groups of enemies.

I do like how that scene enforced the distrust that the team (and particularly Asami) naturally has towards Kuvira. Even if we, as an audience, knows that Kuvira doesn’t have any malicious intent, it’s something she’ll have to prove to the rest of the cast. I think a big part of Kuvira’s arc is for her to understand the effects of her actions in Book 4 and take responsibility for what she did – simply apologizing won’t take away the pain she caused towards a lot of these characters. The flashback scenes in this comic and RotE part 1 kind of suggests that Kuvira’s always had troubles with taking responsibility for her actions (which seems to be a reason for why her parents gave her away to Su - though we still don’t have a clear idea on how they really were as parental figures).

Even though I’m not too big of a fan on the whole redemption arc idea, it does seem that Kuvira is trying her best to earn back some trust from our main cast. After she escaped Guan’s camp, she could have easily gone off on her own, but she decided to speak with Su and find her way back to Korra to help stop Guan and his forces. She seemed to address Asami a lot before she gets brainwashed, so perhaps this is showcasing Kuvira being a bit more aware about how much she hurt Asami by killing her father. I think the two of them will have to have a scene in RotE part 3, but I am a little worried that we’ll be hit with another “I guess I had you pegged wrong” moment by Asami to Kuvira…

* * * * * 

As for the whole brainwashing thing, I’m split two ways about it. On one hand, I honestly do find it interesting to see how Asami, Mako and Bolin’s loyalty/love for Korra is broken due to the effects of the brainwashing technology – especially when it comes to Korra/Asami (and to an extent, Opal and Bolin - considering what happens in that final fight scene). Seeing her walk towards Guan’s army on her own to try to rescue Asami, Mako and Bolin was badass! On the other hand, I see where some others are coming from when it comes to being annoyed about the Krew getting benched for Kuvira to have a redemption story. I think it’s a particularly sore spot when it comes to Asami – first she was kidnapped in Turf Wars, and now we see her being brainwashed in RotE.

Poor Korra and Asami just can’t seem to catch a break! That conversation between Korra and brainwashed!Asami in the airship really made my heart ache. Even if Korra know that it isn’t really Asami who’s saying those words, we can still seem how much it stings for her to hear them, nonetheless. She just (understandably) looked so distraught over the whole situation – from having to face her off in the battlefield to having to lock her up in that prison. This is the first time where the person she loves the most is no longer by her side and considering how both Korra and Asami expressed how they can overcome anything as long as they’re together, I’m sure Korra feels quite a bit lost about everything. I really hope we’ll get a nice conversation between the two of them in RotE part 3. I don’t know if Asami will be able to remember what happened to her while she was brainwashed, but I can’t help but wonder if this will be something that will weigh down on her and Korra’s minds even after the trilogy is over.

* * * * *

The vision that Wu had of Queen Hou-Ting was unexpected, but pretty cool! That encounter really seems to be challenging Wu when it comes to his responsibilities being a king. While he might genuinely believe that forming a democracy is what’s best for the Earth Kingdom, it might be too quick of a change for its people. And if that’s the case, Wu may have to confront the possibility of him having to take on the role of being a King, even if he’s apprehensive/fearful of it.

Kind of relating to this, I was surprised to see how fast Toph agreed to run in the election considering her dislike towards politics and people in general! Korra’s idea to use Wu’s vision of Hon-Ting to get Toph on board with the plan was clever, especially when she connected it to the idea of the swamp teaching you things that you need to learn if you’re opened to listening. It seems that Toph wants to challenge the vision’s words about Earth Kingdom people wanting to be “safe” and “secure” rather than going “outside of their comfort zone”, seeing as how she’s agreed to going outside of her own comfort zone to run as a candidate. I will say, out of all of this, Toph agreeing to run in the election allowed for the cutest panel in the entire book to be drawn:

(Korra helping Toph to sign her signature is just too adorable!!!)

Though, I’m not sure how the election is going to go now that Wu himself is being brainwashed. Before, he wanted to call off the election entirely, but now he’ll be in complete support of Guan.

* * * * *

I’m excited to see how Bataar Jr will play in on helping to reverse the brainwashing – I wonder if he’ll end up recruiting Varrick as well, considering how they worked together in Book 4. I wasn’t sure if the writers were going to have Kuvira and Bataar Jr confront each other in the comics, but I’m glad they went with it! They’ll be a lot of hard feelings between the Kuvira, Bataar Jr as well as Su and I can’t wait to see how it will be fleshed out in the next comic.

On a bit of a side note, something that caught my eye was the “Get down, mom!” dialogue that was pointed towards Kuvira in the action scene at the end. It’s weird because we see Su holding Toph down to get her out of harms in the same panel. I don’t know if this was a mistake and the bubble was actually supposed to be pointing towards Su, or if it was intentional to have it directed towards Kuvira. If it’s the latter, I really hope it’s something that’s expanded upon in part 3 because I feel like that’s a pretty significant thing for Kuvira to say to Su.

* * * * *

But yeah, overall, I feel like this comic introduced a lot of interesting plot points, though with so many different topics set in place, my biggest concern is how they’ll be able to tackle everything within RotE part 3. Everything from stopping Guan, reversing the brainwashing technology, expanding upon Kuvira’s relationship with Su + her family and the Krew and what happens with the election and Earth Kingdom after Guan is stopped – there is a lot to unfold here within an 70-ish pages.

I know some people have speculated that this all may even continue on into the next trilogy. Personally, I would love to see the next series based in the Fire Nation! We could see more of Zuko and Izumi (maybe we’ll even get introduced to Izumi’s daughter?) and who knows, maybe even Asami will finally get her own story to explore due to her Fire Nation heritage! Either way, I’ve really been enjoying how engaging these comics have been! It honestly feels like I’m watching a Book 5 continuation of TLOK!

[ourimpavidheroine]

Another royal, you say? Certainly.

Sozui

Oh, little Sozui, the prince with the wildly swinging ponytail, following Naoki like a desperate puppy, his grandmother’s heart, his uncle’s soul, his sister’s unburnished flame.

I had Izumi bring him to Opal and Bolin’s wedding because she is a canny Firelord and she's already met Wu’s oldest girl, the princess that’s already being described, at age ten, as the best firebender of her generation. She’s got her eye on Naoki as a future bride, even then. (Something that Wu understands as well; it is unspoken between the two of them.)

And Sozui is just gone, completely gone, twelve years old and watching this girl come to the furious yet controlled defense of her little brother, refusing to give in or back down. He’s drawn to her and he will never, for the rest of his life, love anyone else. He won’t even see anyone else but her. He was willing to marry another for the sake of the Fire Nation, but he made it clear to Maya Mononobe from the very beginning that he did not love her and never would. 

Sozui is an idealist, a dreamer, a philosopher, a diplomat. His sister relies on him completely when she becomes the Firelord - there is no one else she trusts like she trusts her brother and outside of the whole Naoki marriage/Agni Kai thing, he will never betray that trust. He will be loyal to her until the end. That’s who Sozui is.

He’s a very good firebender, thoroughly and extensively trained. (He’s not better than his wife, but on the other hand, no one is.) He is gifted his great-grandfather’s dual broadswords on his thirteenth birthday and learns to wield them expertly. It makes him feel closer to his great-grandfather and practicing with those swords is how he grounds himself, lets his troubles disappear for a time.

He is very, very close to his uncle, who has guided and watched over him since he was brought to court as a one year old. Izumi told Iroh that she was depending on him to keep Sozui on the straight and narrow and Iroh does exactly that. Iroh loves his nephew deeply and in his heart of hearts considers him a son, much as his own great-great-uncle did for his grandfather.

While Juziya spends her time in the palace, Sozui travels the world. This is all part of Izumi’s plan for her grandchildren. Sozui frequently visits Wu’s family; he also has made trips to both Poles to stay with the chieftains in order to learn about their culture and history. He’s familiar with the leaders of the Air Nation as well. He makes connections that way. He attends university in Republic City and will also spend a few years aboard his uncle’s battleship, learning command and traveling the world. This will eventually serve Juziya very well and he understands this. He’s a very popular figure in the Fire Nation and runs interference for his sister; it’s well known that if you want the Firelord’s ear you’ll need to go through Prince Sozui first. 

He is too young to remember living with his parents, of course. He only sees his mother a few times a year; their visits are always supervised and she oftentimes does not recognize him and this is something that devastates him. He erroneously blames himself for her condition and carries a secret fear all his life that he will become like her, or that Lozan will as well. He likes and respects his father, but does not feel particularly close to him. He does love his uncle very much and will grieve deeply when his uncle dies a very old man.

Sozui, unbeknownst to most, suffers from anxiety. He’s very good at hiding it, but it’s there anyhow. He often suffers from insomnia and gets paralyzed with indecision. Juziya will eventually take Naoki aside and rather firmly inform her that she considers it Naoki’s job to help him with this. Juziya and Iroh carried that responsibility for him for years, and Naoki will step up to that. (I should write that conversation down, it is fully existent in my head.)

He is never defiant outside of running out of his wedding to marry Naoki; however that defiance comes with a price. He pays it, however. He will do anything for her. His sister - who knows him better than anyone else - understands this and is careful, after the whole Naoki Agni Kai debacle, to never get between her brother and Naoki again. Sozui is loyal until death towards his sister but he’s made it clear he will put that aside for Naoki. Juziya is a smart woman. She won’t test her brother again, for both their sakes.

The Fire Nation is rather scandalized that he raises his son much the same as Wu raised his children; it is Not How Things Are Done. He’s very close to Lozan, however, and Lozan loves, admires and respects both of his parents. Lozan, in turn, will become not only a very good Firelord, but a very popular one and Sozui considers his son his greatest legacy.

You say the world's an eventful place You give me news I don't want to know You say that I should care That I should speak my mind Oh, but how can I speak of the world Rushing by With a lump in my throat And tears in my eyes Oh, have we come to the point of no turning back Or is it still time to get into The swing of things Let us walk through this windless city I'll go on till the winter gets me Oh, "sleep..." you wrote "sleep, my dear" In a letter somewhere Oh, but how can I sleep with your voice in my head With an ocean between us And room in my bed Oh, have I come to the point where I'm losing the grip Or is it still time to get into The swing of things Oh, when she glows in the dark And I'm weak by the sight Of this breathtaking beauty In which I can hide Oh, there's a worldful out there Of people I fear But given time I'll get into The swing of things Yes, when she glows in the dark and I'm struck by the sight I know that I'll need this for the rest of my life What have I done What lies I have told I've played games with the ones that rescued my soul Oh, have I come to the point where I'm losing the grip Or is it still time to get into The swing of things

[armageddon-generation]

Fixing The Legend of Korra - Book 3

Book 1,  Book 2,  Book 4

THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVE BOOK, SO IMPROVEMENTS ARE RELATIVELY MINIMAL. AGAIN, IMAGINING A 28 EPISODE SEASON

REPUBLIC CITY

Further exploration of what opening the portals did to the world

Show what happened to the people forced out of their homes – forced into housing camps.

Bolin works with General Iroh trying to help these people, dressing up as Nuktuk to give the kids the same kind of comforting distraction he needed at that age on the streets – this lays the foundation for his joining Kuvira much later

Have the triads try to exploit the spirits – capturing them and attempting to sell them as exotic pets/batteries (a prelude to what Varrick does in Book 4 that goes horribly wrong). The Spirits go nuts and attack, and Korra has to act as peacekeeper (defending the triads is something she really hates)

During this conflict a triad member is briefly possessed by a spirit. Korra gets it out, but now he has to live deformed. I’m thinking Shady Shin, because he has a direct relationship with the bending brothers (them helping him shows character growth and is an interesting inversion of the dynamic established in flashbacks, where Shin mentored and corrupted them).

As a criminal, Shin also didn’t get his bending back. In this way – first losing his bending, then being possessed by a spirit – his character is a microcosm of everything that’s happened to the world so far, and it would be interesting to see Korra confront this

The new Air Nation takes him in and cares for/attempts to rehabilitate him

KORRASAMI

At this point Asami is aware she’s starting to feel attracted to Korra – she’s much more self-aware and has much more self-control. Korra isn’t yet aware she’s attracted to Asami – growing up in the South Pole with now LGBTQ role models (Kya’s dating life wasn’t very active) it’s not that she wasn’t aware of fluid sexuality, it’s just she never considered that it would apply to her.

They bond not only over Mako, but also their joint responsibilities (Asami is marshalling the democratic Equalists’ political campaign from Book 2)

By the end of the season Korra knows what they have is more than just friendship, but she isn’t emotionally ready to go there

Asami spends much of this Book running after Korra, and that’s important - she’s been swept up in this grand adventure. When Korra gets hurt and has to leave in the finale, Asami is brought down with a bump - in Book 4 they will have to confront that they can’t run away from responsibility or have a fairytale romance. They have to live in the real world

RED LOTUS

When Tonraq and Zuko meet with the twins to guard P’Li, establish they’re building a more positive (if slightly awkward) relationship with their uncle

Obvious thing, but let’s see an origin story for our group – Zaheer rescuing P’Li, Ming Hua losing her arms and learning to live without them (Korra learns about this and it hangs over her when she’s in the wheelchair) and Ghazan developing his lavabending

Firmly establish lavabending is the result of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom blood mixing, so Bolin’s powers don’t come out nowhere

Have the Red Lotus be the ones who killed Sokka. That raid when Korra was a kid was his last stand. This lends a lot more emotional weight to the characters coming in, and especially if we make them much more likeable with an origin story and greater emphasis on the group dynamic, creating greater emotional conflict within the audience. Plus, this way we actually get to see old Sokka in Korra

Create a genuine will-they-won’t-they between Ming Hua and Ghazan – their attempts at flirting would be Azula-level funny. They never act on their feelings because they’re both destructive and damaged from their long imprisonment (have the group comforting each other over nightmares about being back there). Then end the romance on a tragic note when they die together in the finale – the suicide is double-pronged, a metaphor for their destructive emotional states

I imagine Gazhan and P’Li having a sibling-esque rivalry over who can be the most destructive in battle

Contrast the Red Lotus with the old, out of touch members of the White Lotus trying to manage spiritual activity across the globe – have Jinora, Kai and the new airbenders express frustration towards them.

When Iroh shows up to talk to Korra in the Spirit World, have them discuss his relationship with the White Lotus and how it changed after his death – just as in ATLA, he disapproves of holding on to tradition, honour and the past at the cost of moving forward

Zaheer was an Air Acolyte in his youth; this is a more concrete explanation of how he is immediately such an expert airbender. It also sets up a more intimate and interesting relationship between Zaheer and the new Air Nation – he sees them almost as his children, potential followers     

He begged Aang to give him bending, but Aang refused (for the sake of balance – it wouldn’t be natural). Zaheer’s anger, combined with the White Lotus’ stifling attempts at spiritual control (which Jinora can relate to even today) caused him to join the Red Lotus

Zaheer sees in Korra a kindred spirit – not only did she open the portals, but she returned people their bending after Amon took it away; she is willing to upend the ‘natural order’ Aang clung too, the same order Zaheer wants to upend

Korra protests giving people bending wasn’t the point – Zaheer being an airbender doesn’t make him more special than anyone else (the lesson she learnt in Book 1). She restored their bending because those people needed to be whole again

Zaheer’s attitude towards Airbenders like Kai, a former criminal with little respect for tradition, is a dark, exaggerated reflection of Tenzin’s initial reaction – violent disgust

The Red Lotus’ ultimate goal is to end the Avatar cycle, then extract Raava from Korra. The chaos they’re causing by destabilising the Earth Kingdom and removing Korra will cause Vaatu to grow much faster. Then the Red Lotus will combine the two spirits, producing Gaana, the spirit of Harmony from whence Light and Dark came, returning the world to primordial peace

Although they stop the Lotus, the formation of Gaana becomes a far-off dream for Korra, her endgame for when the world no longer needs the Avatar

(Also have Zuko meet with and talk to Iroh at the end of Book 3, now he can enter the Spirit World. Pretty please.)

ZAOFU AND THE BEIFONGS

Because the plot of Book 3 isn’t as dense, we have more time to stretch our legs with character stuff – the calm before the storm. Establish the Beifongs’ personalities in greater detail (because there are a lot of them) – have them argue and love each other the way families do

Asami ADORES the design & technology work in Zaofu and really bonds with Bataar Sr - he represents an ideal version her father she saw when she was a kid, what she wishes Hiroshi could’ve been

Also use this opportunity to establish Bataar Jr’s mounting resentment before Book 4 - especially if Asami is a better mechanic than him

Bataar Jr and Opal have a close bond when we meet them as the only non-bending kids (they and Kuvira are a tight-knit trio) but over our time in Zoafu we see them drift apart as Opal embraces her airbending identity. Bataar is left alone.

Involve Kuvira more directly – establish that she’s the emotional lynchpin of the family, the negotiator whom everyone relies on. At the same time, she’s an outsider, only allowed at mealtimes on special occasions etc, and she’s painfully aware of that

When Mako starts investigating the mole in Zaofu, have Kuvira team up with them – she takes the hardline bad cop role, but they work well together and get results (Korra jokes Mako certainly has a type because of how similar they are)

Kuvira joins Team Avatar in the finale, and also when they go after Iwae, helping Mako and Bolin fight Ming Hua and Gahzaan (much more viciously than the bending brothers), but gets knocked out. 

In Book 4 when she argues with Su she pulls this specific example: Su is willing to act (or order Kuvira to act) when it serves her own self-interest (i.e. revenge on Iwae) but not when it means taking responsibility for others. Kuvira is tired of being Su’s powerless pawn (if Su had been there to fight, Kuvira wouldn’t have almost been killed by the Red Lotus)

Bopal – Opal is the first person Bolin lets himself be truly vulnerable with, letting down his walls – Mako is very supportive

Create more moral ambiguity around Su. There was a popular headcanon she was part of the Red Lotus/knew Zaheer in her youth, so I’m making this canon. Su brushed/briefly flirted with being part of the Lotus in her youth (she makes a cameo in the Red Lotus origin episodes). This creates a more legitimate conflict between her and Lin (and the future conflict with Kuvira for hypocrisy)

THE NEW AIRBENDERS

Again, this was really well done in the show, I just want more cute Kainora crushing moments tbh.

Have the new airbenders’ relationship with Shady Shin be a direct measurement of how they learn and live by the Air Nomad culture – moving from hostility, to frustration and wanting to give up, to empathy, sympathy, and finally acceptance. At first Shin is angry and violent towards them, but he soon breaks down – he thinks his life is over. Kai’s relationship with him is particularly important – Kai reminds Shin of a young Mako, and Shin is a reminder of what Kai would’ve been without airbending and Jinora.

By the end of the Book (a few months) Kai invites Shin to Jinora’s Master anointing ceremony, and he stands awkwardly in the background

Kya stays with the new airbenders, which has more weight seeing as she’s not ‘officially’ part of the family – she has been accepted/adopted

KORRA, SPIRITS AND RAAVA

To try and lessen the ridiculousness of the Deus Ex Machina in the Book 2 finale, the Avatar state is heavily neutered during Book 3. Now Korra has no past Avatars to channel, the State is much less powerful, and she must learn to operate without it (as compared to Book 2, where she spammed it with reckless abandon), forcing her to find more diplomatic solutions (setting a good example for the airbenders)

Raava’s light is still growing in Korra after being destroyed by Vaatu – their dynamic is now flipped, where Raava is counting on Korra to be a figure of hope and strength she can rely on. This puts more pressure on Korra, but she copes much better now she doesn’t have a thousand Avatars’ voices whispering in her ear – establish she’s actually finding this freedom from tradition beneficial to her job as the Avatar (change is good!)

Have the spirits act as markers for the emotional states of both characters and places – they infest Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se because they’re attracted to the high concentration of chi there. Their emotional state varies, but generally people are adapting well (they’re used to random shit in the slums by now). Mako and Bolin help their family with spirits (they also find Nuktuk hilarious)

By comparison, in the Upper Ring spirits are far fewer because the upper classes treat them like vermin and are trying to push them out. The few spirits that are there turn Dark easily (Korra has to intervene) showing how, despite its pretty surface, the political structure and people on top in Ba Sing Se are corrupt.

When fighting the Dai Li, have Korra directly confront the fact they were founded by a past Avatar (Kyoshi) – emphasising the pattern where she has to deal with a past Avatar’s mistakes. This season is all about Change, so by the end of it have Korra disband the Dai Li

When Korra goes into the Avatar State for the first time in the finale, this is just Raava desperately trying to defend her from Zaheer

I don't know when we'd fit it in (when Korra confronts Zaheer in the Spirit World? When she's hallucinating because of the poison during the finale?) but I NEED a nightmare sequence of what Red Lotus!Korra would've been like - there are so many cool headcanons and fanarts and fics about this. Show the Red Lotus as a true family unit with Korra as the daughter figure, show Korra letting herself loose with Combustion and Lava bending. Show her inner conflict (and dominance) with Raava, who disagrees with her actions

Also it would be awesome if we saw this Red Lotus Korra meet and team up with a dark Equalist! Asami (they both believe in extreme balance) - this sheds new light on their relationship for Korra, and is the catalyst for her realising her romantic interest in Asami - she's witnessing all this destruction and chaos she caused, but she's still happy because she's with Asami

Emphasise how much Korra has become the centrepiece of Team Avatar – she is everyone’s best friend. To Asami in particular she’s become the catalyst and manifestation of everything she likes about herself – her courage, her enthusiasm about helping people, her friends, her own empowerment – the exact opposite of her father

[girlsaturday]

Korrasami Secret Santa

For @postfuguestate The Prompt: Korra struggling to figure out what the perfect gift for the Asami who has everything might be. 

I had a lot of fun with this one and I hope you enjoy it!

Korra rode slowly down the street on Naga’s back, her gaze drifting back and forth across the multitude of shops and vendors competing for her attention. A cold, soft breeze was blowing across the road, bringing a wave of snowflakes with it. The few people outside were wrapped in jackets and scarves, but Korra concentrated on her breathing and let a bloom of warmth flow through her.

“That cold feels good, doesn’t it, girl?” Korra murmured, gently stroking Naga’s fur. She received a joyful bark in response, and grinned brightly in return. “Yeah, you love it.”

She turned her attention back to the street as they turned a corner. Here, the stores were bigger, and therefore more likely to have what she was looking for. She chose a shop at random- the sign read Koriko’s-and dropped down from Naga’s back, landing lightly on the cobblestones.

Naga whined, butting Korra’s shoulder with her head. She laughed, rubbing the top of her head with her hand.

“Sorry, girl, but you’ll have to stay outside for this one. Yeah, I know it sucks, but I won’t be long.” She gave her another affectionate pat, before throwing open the door and walking inside.

It was large and spacious, with white walls decorated with simple tapestries. Shelves of clothes and books filled the centre, and a few well-dressed shoppers were browsing through the racks.

Korra walked over the nearest shelf of dresses, and started flipping through them. She had completed her gift shopping for everyone-and she had been surprised how many people she considered family now, Mako and Bolin, Pema and Tenzin and their kids, Lin, Suyin, and Opal, her parents, even Varrick and Zhu Li. She had found perfect gifts for all of them, for everyone except Asami.

It didn’t make sense! She flipped through the dresses faster, narrowing her eyes at all of them. Nothing about it made sense. Asami was . . . well, she was Asami. She had probably found the perfect gift for Korra weeks ago, and here she was, mere days before their party, and nothing in the world she could think of was good enough.

Korra let the dress fall back into place with a sigh. She couldn’t think like this-maybe Asami was having as much trouble as she was. She still had time, she just had to keep looking. The perfect gift was out there somewhere, she just had to keep looking.

Naga was patiently waiting for her outside the store, and barked happily when she approached.

“You missed me, didn’t you?” She laughed, ruffling her fur, before leaping up onto the saddle. “Don’t worry, this won’t take too long.”

They continued down the street, Korra trying to think confidently. It wouldn’t be long before she found the perfect gift, and then she could get back home before Asami finished up her big meeting.

That would be nice, but unfortunately, it did not come to fruition. She did get home in time to meet Asami, but none of the stores she had gone to had anything good enough. She had looked at clothes, books, jewelry, and though some of them would be nice enough, they weren’t unique. They weren’t special.

What did she get Asami last year? Korra thought, opening their apartment door and stepping inside. Oh, yes- she had painted the new Spirit Portal in gold and green. Asami has loved it-she had even hung it in their bedroom.

That was a good gift-it meant something, it was important to them. That trip had been the happiest days of her life, and she was reminded of it everyday now. She had been so scared, so nervous Asami didn’t like her . . . like that.

Korra laughed a little as she dropped her bag on the couch. Oh, Korra, how wrong you were. She wondered if someone told her when she first met Asami that she’d fall in love with the beautiful, elegant, prissy, rich girl, she would have believed them. That not only would she fall in love with her, but she’d fall in love back, that she’d be her one constant, the one person she couldn’t bear losing . . .

Her head shot up, her eyes widening surprise. Of course! That was perfect! She hurriedly grabbed her bag again and rushed out of the apartment. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to find what she needed, but she had time. Time enough to get everything ready.

Long after the winter party had dwindled down and everyone had received their gifts, Korra found Asami in the crowd. She looked beautiful as always, dressed in a darkred jacket, her dark hair unbound.

“Want to head out?” She asked, smiling. “I can’t wait for you to see what I got you.”

“The suspense is killing me,” Korra said, fighting past her sudden nervousness. This was probably the most nerve-wracking thing she’d ever done, and probably the most important. Well, not the most important, like saving the world or anything, but very important.

“Are you okay?” Asami wondered as they made their goodbyes. “You seem quiet.”

“Just excited,” Korra said, trying to convince herself of the same.

Asami slid her hand into hers. “I’m glad,” She said, pressing a soft kiss to Korra’s cheek.

They finished saying goodbye to everyone -not a small task- and headed outside. It was snowing softly, decorating the street with small dots of white. Asami reached inside a bag she had been carrying, and withdrew a rolled up scroll.

“Here you go,” She beamed, waiting for Korra to unroll it.

She gasped, taking in the painted scene. It was black and white, made with careful brushstrokes, and it was a painting of the Southern Water Tribe, where she grew up.

“Do you like it? I spent a lot of time talking to Tonraq and Senna to make sure I got it all right-”

She was cut off by Korra enveloping her in a tight hug. “I love it,” She whispered, pushing back tears. “It’s perfect.”

“Aww,” Asami ducked her head. “I’m happy you like it.”

Korra let her go, surreptitiously wiping her eyes. “Now let me get your present. No peeking!” She added, turning her back and reaching inside her coat.

“I won’t,” She said playfully, until her face changed to confusion when Korra turned back, holding a length of dark purple ribbon with a light blue and red pendant tied to it. “Korra, is that . .?”

“Yeah,” Korra rubbed her head, lifting the necklace up into the light. “It’s not really traditional or anything, and you don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to, or even accept, for that matter, but . . .”

She trailed off, unsure what to say, but all words died on her lips when Asami threw her arms around her, tears falling from her eyes.

“I’d love to, Korra,” She murmured, stepping back to fully look at her face. “I love you, Korra. Spending the rest of my life with you . . . I can only imagine how lovely it’d be.”

“You have no idea how happy that makes me,” Korra said, slowly and cautiously tying the necklace around Asami’s neck. She had crafted the pendant herself out of metal, coloured it blue and red, and traced tiny stylized gears and a small wave in the center. She had thought it was pretty when she first made it, but now, tied around Asami’s throat, it looked exquisite. “You look amazing.”

“So do you, my fiancée,” She responded, and there was something about the way she said it that made Korra want to kiss her, over and over. And, of course, she did just that.

[knightofbalance-13]

I Just Finished Avatar: Legend Of Korra Season 3

... It was average.

I liked the villians since they weren’t just villians like the previous two and had a bit more humanity to them which made sense given their motives, but said motives are a little questionable considering nobody liked the Earth Queen, we had a different leader in the Earth Kingdom who WAS good, the president was very logical before but now acts like an asshole so that feels forced, nothing wrong is going in the Fire Kingdom and the only reason why there was trouble with the Water Tribes was because one of THEIR members was being an asshole.

Korra went from being an unlikeable douchebag of an idiot to being...your generic teenage hero with a side of stupid to me. And I really couldn’t care about her struggles because the previous two seasons spent so much time making her unlikeable I just felt nonplussed by her struggles. Even the mercury poisoning just ha me googling it to see what it was all about.

Asami was pretty good this season: Mostly an ally to Korra but it was alright.

I did like the moment with Mako and his grandmother when he gave her his scarf which made him seem a bitn more caring. Otherwise, it’s still just him being an okay straight man.

Bolin is still Best Character with now his talk with his grandma about Family, his caring about Kaya, the fact he can LAVABEND, his weakness about metal bending and his relationship with Opal.

The plot was okay but marred by the fact that we keep going back to the Air Temple to see their training which kills the pacing. The impact that the spirits had in the plot was minimal despite the fact that this is a major change in the world. I only really cared about the plots involving Zuko or Bolin or Tenzien since I liked them but not the ones involving everyone else because I wasn’t a fan of them.

The only world building here is the Red Lotus which is...okay but I believe that the WHite Lotus was about protecting the Avatar, not about Anarchy so that’ s confusing.

And then we have...the asspulls:

1. How did Zaheer know how to levivtate? I know the whole thing was building up to it but if you look at his mindset, he was very much tethered to the world with his anarchy mindset, not to mention he couldn’t have had the skill of an airbender with years and years more experience than him. Speaking of-

2. How the hell was he able to airbend so well? He had to have just gotten at the same time as everyone else so how did he get so good? Did he somehow train in the dark? Doesn’t explain how he is comparable to Tenzien, the guy who was trained by AANG.

3. How the hell was kora alive from THAT much mercury poisoning? Mercury in it’s metallic state is deadly to 1 gram per 5 kilograms of body weight. Considering Korra is around 61 kilograms(judging by her height and muscles) she should have been KILLED easily by that much mercury poisoning.

4. At the very least, she shouldn’t be able to bend due to her body and mind being thrown out of whack from the poisoning. Mercury poisoning causes damge to oth the brain and the muscles: What the hell?

5. Why did Korra power up in the Avatar state? The Avatr state is the combined knowledge and skills of all the avatars but Korra LOST her connection to them so it shouldn’t be able to do anything. Unless Rava is somehow powering her up in which case that’s a complete retcon from TLA as well as making the Avatar State just another lame Shounen power up.

6. Why did Harmonic convergence give people airbending powers? For that matter, why ONLY airbending? Should that have given people all sorts of bending powers?

Yeah, so this the end of my Korra watching since Season 3 was apparently the best of the series and I am nowhere near invested enough in the show to watch Season 4.

Overall, the series is...below average. Season 1 was at this level, Season 2 was god awful and Seaosn 3, although the best, was marred by the previous two seasons.

I honestly cannot say why Korra gets so much praise because, objectively, I just see a below average show that could have been good with WAY better writers and if it wasn’t the sequel to The Last Airbender.