Cruel Angel's Thesis
"… what I saw at that match really was amazing, Korra. So why can't you do it here?"
The voice is calm, kind. The voice of perhaps the most powerful Airbender in the world, Tenzin. The sun had just come up, and so he and his family had already started training. His 3 children, all Airbenders (of varying talent) stand assembled just outside of the forested area of their home, Airbender Island. The oldest sibling, Jinora, stands with full focus on her father, her teacher and mentor in Tenzin. The middle child, Ikki, she hops lightly foot to foot anxiously waiting for them to start
playing training. And the youngest of them, Meelo, he has by now wandered off and has been digging in the dirt looking for pirate treasure. Because.. well there has to be pirate treasure around here somewhere, right?
But the focus of Tenzin's words isn't related to the Airbender, not by blood in the least. But due to many circumstances, she might as well be. Her name is Korra, and she is from the Southern Water Tribe. And she is this generation's Avatar. A being that acts as link between the human and the spirit world.. the being meant to bring balance to the world, and thereby peace.
But she has a lot to learn yet.
Her voice is full of frustration as she tugs on the long sleeves of the Air Bending training uniform she is being forced to wear.
"Because.. because I don't know, okay? I don't know what you saw, but I was only doing what I needed to do, ya know to help my team!" Korra had been in a Pro-Bending match the night previous, where she exhibited the movements that an Airbender naturally has.. something she has been unable to really do to this point. She has mastered 3 of the 4 elements she needs to master.. water, earth and fire.. air is the last. And the one she seems stumped on.
Tenzin lets out a sigh and approaches the young girl as she fidgets, and Korra looks up to him with those puppy dog eyes. He pulls the sleeve of her top down as they should be, making Korra wrinkle her nose. Air Bender clothing is to restrictive for her tastes. "Stop fidgeting, Korra. And leave the sleeves be, please." His voice is as calm and tender as it always is when he is in full on teacher/mentor mode. He now brings his hands up to pat her shoulders, smiling down to her. "What I saw last night showed me that you have it in you, young Avatar. You need only find it. Now, let's try it again, okay?" Korra sighs and nods to him with a small, forced smile.
"Okay Tenzin.." Korra jumps a little suddenly as Ikki lets out an excited cry, and she grabs Korra's hand to lead/drag her to the training grounds proper. "Korra's gonna Airbend Korra's gonna Airbend!" The young girl says in a rapid, excited tone as she leads Korra. Tenzin and Jinora sigh softly as one, following them now to the training ground.
And as for Meelo.. well he may not leave this space until he's found that darn pirate's treasure!
The day's hours pass faaaaar to slowly for Korra. And another day has come and now gone with no progress whatsoever with Airbending. In her opinion. The sun now has set, and Korra now stands in the courtyard. There is an angry scowl on her lips as she looks towards the forlorn moon hanging in the sky. Yeah, she knows how it feels. She's on an island where 90% if the population focuses on her and helping her train or keeping her safe.. but she feels so alone. She, by now, has changed back into her usual garb, the kind of clothing you would find many from the Water Tribe wearing. She feels comfortable in this kind of clothing, even if some people think it's to 'uncivilized' for the big city. She is, in essence, a country girl.
The dark skinned girl continues to silently staring up at the moon… as if the moon itself were conversing with her.
Perhaps it is.
But the voice Korra hears comes from behind her… "I know you're frustrated.. but please don't be.. dad can seem rough.. but he really just wants ta help you." The voice is of Jinora, Tenzin's oldest daughter. And the most like Tenzin by a long stretch. The younger girl now steps up beside Korra, smiling up to her, her hands folded behind her back. Korra looks out of the corner of her eyes towards Jinora.. and she can't help but smile. Korra is an only child, but if she ever had siblings.. she imagines it would feel like she feels when she's around Jinora, Ikki and Meelo. Yes even Meelo. Korra lets out a huff as she looks back towards the moon, speaking softly.
"I know I know.. it's not him I'm frustrated with, I guess. But you already know that, huh?" She looks to Jinora once more out of the corner of her eyes, this time a little smirk on her face. Jinora can't help but grin and shrug, looking out into the darkness. Jinora might be much younger than Korra, but she always seems to be more on top of things than Korra knows. "Well you're not the only one who's been a little miffed while being trained by him.." Jinora says as she shrugs a little once more. Korra watches the young girl a moment, somewhere in the back of her mind she wishes she had it as together as Jinora seems to have it. Korra lets out a sigh and now smiles as she motions over her shoulder.
"Speaking of.. your dad's gonna be miffed if he finds you out here so late. Get ta bed, you." Jinora looks around suddenly, as if to make sure her father really wasn't there. Because yes he would be miffed, and she doesn't want that of course. But instead of scampering off, Jinora suddenly moves to Korra and hugs her tight around the waist. Korra is taken by surprise for a second, but then lets out a soft chuckle as she hugs Jinora back, just as tightly. But not to tight, don't wanna hurt the girl and all.
"Okay okay, scoot now." Jinora pulls away and nods up to Korra, now jogging away as she waves. "Night Korra! Hope you have sweet dreams!" Jinora calls out to Korra as she disappears into the darkness. Korra waves lightly, and then glances up at the hanging moon a moment more as she almost whispers.
"yeah.. sweet dreams."
A half hour or so passes.. and Korra wanders back to her room in the temple. A small room, sparsely decorated. As is tradition amongst Airbenders. As she opens the door.. a massive beast pokes it's head out, sniffing fiercely. "Naga stoppit!" Korra says as she pushes on the snout of the rather massive polar bear dog inhabiting her room. And Korra's best pal. Naga snarls playfully as she pushes against Korra's hand, but she of course backs off to allow Korra into the room. Naga continues to push her muzzle against Korra, wanting some attention after not seeing one another for quite a few hours.
"Naga come on.. you know I missed you too.. stoppit!" Though her words are meant to be forceful, she can't help but giggle a little with the large animal's attentions. Korra flops down on the comfortable chair next to her open window, and Naga lays her head in Korra's lap, her tail thudding gently against the wooden floor. Korra absently scratches Naga's head as she looks out across the bay towards the beautiful Republic City. The city glimmers with lights and metal, as far as Korra knows it's the most advanced and high brow (in her opinion) city on the planet. And one she just wants to be a part of. As she stares out at the glistening city, she wonders what her pal Bolin is doing. What Mako is doing. Bleh.. he's probably on a date or something with that Asami hoochie. A soft sigh escapes her lips as she closes her eyes, leaning back in the chair as she absently scratches behind Naga's ears. Much to Naga's delight. And before you can count to 20, she's out. The exhaustion of this day just overtaking her.
Or perhaps something else.
Somewhere that isn't here….
"The Avatar is relegated to our world. What right have She to reach out to ours?"
"Her world is in danger. It needs to survive this, and they can not do it on their own."
"The Avatar is to bring balance to OUR world. The worries of other worlds are no worries of ours. The Spirit Realm is in eminent danger, as all have seen. We NEED the Avatar here, not there."
"The world she is called to is integral to the existence of our reality. We must see the big picture. We all know She would not have done this had she other choice. The sisters can not exist in peace with one another. The beings of that world are all but extinct.. if She did not seek aid.. Her world would rot away, and that rot would spread to ours eventually."
"It is as the Hundred Year War. I can not allow something like this to again transpire."
"…agreed."
"So say all."
"But the child ISN'T the Avatar, not yet. Can she do this? Can she truly be of use?"
"The Sister of Azure would not have sought out our Avatar if She did not think she could be of use. Rather, if she could not save that dying world from its own death. When the time comes, the Avatar will bring balance."
"So say all."
The Dream
In the middle of a vast green field she now stands, the warm breeze so gently caressing her form as she stands there amidst the plain beauty of the day. The sky of blue goes on forever, not a cloud anywhere to be seen. It's like the vision of perfect beauty so often she has seen in her dreams. A divine place, the epitome of magnificence. Korra stands motionless there, her long dark hair swaying with the gentle day's breeze. A broad smile upon her lips as she stares up at the blue. The never ending blue.
But then..
Korra blinks as she abruptly looks over her shoulder… did she hear something just now. She pivots on her heels as she looks at the horizon of green, seeing nothing but the grass. Her eyes narrow a little as she continues to search… nothing.
"help Her"
Another whisper from nowhere, and yet all around her. Her head snaps left to right as she looks for the source of that soft voice, a man's voice.
"Who's there?! Come out right now!" She demands angrily. But nothing. No response. She takes a deep calming breath…deciding it was nothing. After all, what could possibly ruin this gorgeous day?
The answer is..so many thing.
Korra now slowly turns back as she smiles, her gaze drawing once more towards the beautiful azure above her. Such a pretty sky..
But she jumps a little suddenly as she hears a sudden shrill cry. And then another.. and then another.. Korra starts to panic as the sky starts to tear itself asunder, the green of the grass she stands soon following suit. Korra stumbles back as she now lets out a panicked scream, her hands clenching into fists. She starts to move into a defensive stance.. but she is abruptly frozen by fear. The dead are all around her.. the beauty of green replaced by a horror none should have to bear witness to. So many bodies.. such atrocity.. it almost feels like she's seeing a piece of her past..or her future..
Korra ducks a little as she hears a voice from everywhere.. and nowhere.. a woman's voice.. a caring voice, if Korra were to put description to it.
"I am sorry for calling you."
"Who are you?! Where am I?!" Korra cries out, her voice filled with anguish and fear. Her gaze abruptly snaps towards now the two men who still fight. She shakes her head as she starts towards them, reaching out towards them. She screams for them to stop, she demands them to stop… but she has no voice here. She tries to move to them to stop this.. but she is not moving. She can't stop them alone, she needs others to help her save them. Though she can not reach them, though they can not hear her pleas for them to stop, still she tries. She continues to fight to get to them. She has to save them.
"But I had no choice.. I need help…"
Now the Water Tribe girl stops, and she looks around. She screams
"Who are you?! Tell me where I am now! Who are they!?" She demands as she points towards the now dead men. But as he finger is pointing towards the spot they fell in... slowly (and almost fearfully) she looks towards them. Her tense stance relaxes a little as she now sees a beautiful tree amongst the carnage. She stares at it wide eyed..the only spot of lovely upon this field of unending death. A glimmer of light amongst so much misery and death. Her hand slowly lowers as she stares at the leaves of green, and tears spring forth from her eyes.
"You are our only hope..our hope to end this bloodshed."
"You must help Her. They need you, Korra."
Once more she looks around, her hands coming to cover her ears, as if to try and make the voices she hears silence. But as she looks around.. her sense of stability is suddenly gone and she is falling! She lets out a scream as she twists her slim form so she's 'facing' the direction she thinks she is falling. Her hands thrust forward, as if to try and will herself to stop falling.
"Please wake up! Please help!"
"Wake up Korra.. please help them. Help Her."
Darkness now all around her. Nothingness. And then.. a vast myriad of color.
The Garden
Blackness is slowly replaced by gentle light.. white at first, but slowly colors filling themselves in. Blurred is her vision at the start, but the world now slowly comes into focus. She finds herself laying on her stomach in the field of flowers, her clear blue eyes looking out at the flowers all around her. Her voice comes in a hoarse whisper.
"Oh.. I'd forgotten.. how beautiful.." She thinks she's in one of Air Temple Island's many gardens, where she spent much time TRYING to meditate. But as that moment of thought passes.. she remembers.. she was in her room..
A soft gasp escapes her lips with realization, and with practiced ease she bounds to her feet. Her eyes wide she looks around herself slowly at the beings she finds herself surrounded by.. but a familiar presence lumbers up next to her. She spares only a glance to her left, knowing who it is, of course. Naga growls lowly in warning as she steps up next to Korra, the immense Polar Bear Dog bearing her teeth in warning to the strangers. Korra's gaze moves slowly back towards those she is surrounded by, her voice coming in a firm tone.
"Okay, you better start talking or I'm gonna start decimating all of you!"
Naga let out another growl, as if to accentuate Korra's strong words. While Korra was a life long fighter (practically), a show of force and unity could do them some good. Besides, Naga wasn't going to let anyone hurt her human here in this strange new place. And Naga was even more on edge suddenly.. because she thought she had spotted another Polar Bear Dog. Naga's dark eyes lock on Amaretsu, thinking the serene beast a threat to her human. After all, any Polar Bear Dog that isn't named Naga is (9 times out of 10) a threat to her human, Korra. But Naga does not move to strike, nor does Korra. Not yet, not until some answers were given.. not until Korra figures out what the hell is going on here..