The Reset

It has been a week since the Avatar has gone missing or arrived. The air of the island was back to drowning into a routine but with one difference, the presence of a disruptive out of control bender. Korra spent her time taking in her environment, training with Bolin, Mako, Kya and Tenzin behind her to at least start with the basics of airbending. To which she tried and failed repeatedly. Meditation and calm was doing her no good. She was surprised to learn Asami was a non bender and that Bumi was now a bender. Days at Island were spent either training or playing with Meelo and Ikki. Jinora too but she had this air around her which told Korra that she will need to behave a bit around her. It was tiring for everyone especially her parents as they did not have the energy to keep up with her overflowing energy and work was piling up so they had to leave. Tenzin, Lin, Jinora were all busy scrambling through the libraries to make sense of what was happening. They were also planning to visit the Wan Shi Tong's Spirit Library to get a better reading.

But there was one problem and Korra could not bring herself to tell anyone as it was not affecting her much. She was not able to sleep, nightmares kept her company everytime she tried. Even when she did catch an hour or so of it, all she felt like was that someone was pulling her in an abyss. And it has been a week of the same thing. There was no sign of tiredness physically but she could feel fatigue catching up as she felt her control slip up more when she tried to bend. 

Today was especially hard as she found her in sort of a panic state the moment she went to bed. So when she felt all the movement die down in her surroundings, she decided to sneak up on a tour of the Island at night. She closed the door behind her slowly and started roaming. She had gathered some info on the layout of the place about the guard towers (her habit from the compound days where she used it to fool the guards and go play with the penguins). She was a fast learner about this unusual habit of hers. She made her way through the island, it’s garden, ponds, and prayer halls. When she was done exploring everything she took a seat in the Meditation pavilion that overlooked the Pro-bending arena. I want to visit the city. It has been her dream to come to Republic City and see for herself the legacy that Aang left and she had to protect. She really wanted to visit but knew no one would let her visit. A sudden idea struck her head so she decided to go visit it herself. All that was left now was to jump into the water and swim to the city.

“Going somewhere?” She froze the moment she heard the words. Oops.

“Don’t think I can anymore.” She turned around with the biggest frown on her face to see who had interrupted her brilliant chance.

“Well it’s hard getting stuck here, I can understand.” It was Asami.

“Like you would understand. You go to the city everyday.” not being able to hide her disappointment. 

“Actually, I do.” Korra glanced to her with an unreadable expression that could only mean that she needed more than three words to understand. So she continued “My father also kept me hidden for a while when I was small. All I did was study and self defence practice. So I do understand.”

Korra somehow felt she should not pry further. “Ahh, so you do. It’s so annoying..”

“Being told what to do all the time.” As she moved ahead and pulled Korra’s ear playfully. “I think some things never change, I am understanding where that rule breaking streak came from.”

Freeing herself and moving away from Asami. “You’re being mean.” A pause. “Why are you not asleep?”

“I woke up when you sneaked out of your room.” The words earned her a glare from Korra. “Back to you though, Why are you not sleeping?”

“I don’t know. I tried but I couldn't. It’s been a week though so I figured I might as well do some exploring.” She was shocked at this sudden confession herself.

“A week?” Asami could not hide her worrying look. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice is now demanding “or anyone.”

Korra’s eyes turned to the view of the arena. “I didn't want others to worry more about me. It’s just taxing.” She sighed as if she had held her breath for a long time. It was easy to talk to this girl. “I get these weird nightmares and hear these voices in my head like I am falling. I don’t understand it myself.”

Korra now found both her shoulders in a grip of Asami’s hands as she proceeded to turn her so they both would be facing each other. She now adjusted to the eye level of Avatar and all she could see was this soft expression in the emerald eyes. 

“It’s okay. I may not understand but I want you to tell me these things the moment they happen. Or anyone.” As she jumbled and collected her words she continued. “Okay?”

Korra somehow being pulled into the look of her eyes, knew what she had to do. “Ah Okay, I will.” Now realising the closeness she just looked away with redness on her face. What was that? She thought to herself.

Asami felt relieved at the answer she was given and realised the awkwardness of the situation. She pulled away. “So you want to visit the city.”

Korra suddenly beamed up and with an undeniable excitement in her eyes. “YES YES YES” which made Asami laugh.

“Alright, I will ask Tenzin if I can take you with me. No promises though.”

Korra was excited. “Yes finally.” Correcting herself “I mean yeah, thanks.”

“But for now you need to sleep.” As she took her hand and led Korra to her room. Tugging her into the sheets. “Good night” she whispered as she got up to leave.

“Umm, Can you stay here? I’m..I mean till I fall asleep.” What am I saying these are not my words. Why would you make things awkward? Korra couldn’t believe herself saying. Yes, her presence was comforting but she could not ask Asami this. She might get weirded out. “I mean I was having trouble sleeping.” Stop. Just stop. Stop these words from coming out.

“Ofcourse, as you wish.” Asami was taken aback but she did not let it show.She could not hide her smile as she seated herself near the head of bed. And before she knew Korra had snuck into her side and fallen asleep. 

“Can you do this everyday?” She was talking half asleep as anyone who would have heard her say at that moment would attest.

“Yes. Anything for you.” Asami wiped a tear that suddenly was bracing her cheeks as she studied this girl and how peaceful Korra looked when asleep.

No words were spoken further. No meaning was sought. Korra slept with no nightmares for the first time in a week. 

--

The morning was slow. When Korra woke up, Asami was not there. A bit of disappointment came over her as if she was supposed to be here. She shrugged off the thought and looked at the time. Shit. I am late for my training with Mako. She leapt through the bed, changing into combat gear and sprinted to the practice area. She might have bumped into the guard but she had no time. When she reached, she was disappointed to find the gloomy sky. Mako was there on the other side and he waved his hand when he saw her.

“Sorry I am late.” It was usual for her whenever she was with Mako her eyes would not leave the ground unless of course they were sparring.

“Good morning to you too.” Noticing her. “I waited to tell you that we can’t practice today. I have to run some errands back at headquarters. So let’s try in the evening.” 

“Ah, Okay.” And before she could say anything he was already on his way. What a let down of a day. Well, at least she could find Bolin and practise with him. But she saw him calling Mako and he joined him and both of them went away. Sigh. Great. Anyway time to head for breakfast.

She was on the other side of the island, the walk to the dining hall was going to be long and it started raining. She realised how fast she ran when now she had to go all the way back to dorms to change. On the way she saw Asami talking to Tenzin and shot Korra with a wink when their eyes met. Korra jumped with excitement a bit. 

It was sudden but rain started pouring heavily. The lightning and thundering scared her. And before she realised her eyelid became heavy and she found herself on the ground in the middle of the rain.

--

Korra. A whisper picked the sides of her ear.

Korra. It was getting louder.

Korra. A big jolt made her eyes open wide.

She was staring at someone floating behind what seemed like a transparent wall. The other girl seemed to be in chains with her eyes glowing, staring at her. She was trying to say something but alas she could not make out from the whisper.

“I know you.” Finally the realisation dawned to her. It was Korra.

“Yes, you do.” Suddenly a voice came from besides her. “You have to help her break those chains Korra.” It was Aang who had spoken to her.

“Aang? How?”

“She has lost her connection to us and this is all we can do to help her from here. You have to play an important part. You have to rid her of what’s weighing her down.”

“I don't understand.”

“I know. You will have your answers. FInd what broke her. You have a spirit guiding you in the mortal realms.”

“What? Aang I..”

--

“Aang I..” Her eyes opened wide to the sudden sight of her room. She found Asami stroking her hair.

“Are you fine?”  She nodded, she was not feeling any pain.

“Your fatigue finally caught up to you. You suddenly collapsed in the rain.” Asami tried to clear the air. “You were out for 2 hours.”

“Thanks for looking after me.” She saw Asami smile at her and she hugged her. 

“Want to eat?” Her stomach answered for her as it let a loud growl out. Both of them laughed. She looked at Asami and let a sigh out. She could not make sense of her dream but she was glad that Asami was here. 

It was then that she realised she saw the blue fox spirit again. And before she could do anything it vanished. Spirit Guide. Was this her spirit guide? Find Zaheer and Kuvira. A voice in her head said to her. She had no idea who they were. She needed to think.

She walked slowly behind Asami deep in her thoughts and before she realised she bumped into her when she suddenly stopped. Moving around her she found that they were at the temple’s entrance. Mako and Bolin sitting on an Oogi the flying Bison. Mako with his signature smile and Bolin waving toward her. She looked at Asami confused.

“I thought you might want to try your favourite seaweed noodles in the city.”