The Reset

“I love this day already.” Korra screamed as Oogi flew over the ocean toward the city. The skyline of the city looked exactly like she imagined now that she was seeing it up close. Her view of the skyline was halted when the bison landed near the harbour. Everyone got down and Korra just followed them, only to be greeted by a shiny blue sports car. Korra sat with Mako while Asami took the driver seat with Bolin besides him.

“I thought you were busy today.” Korra asked Mako.

“I am. Me and Bolin are your guards on duty today.” Mako winked Asami saw the exchange through the rear mirror of the car.

“How did you convince Tenzin?” A question for Asami, as she started the engine. 

“It was easy, I just told him these two would accompany us and he was happy to. You collapsing on the ground jeopardized the plan but we got through him.” 

“You’re awesome.” Korra hugged her from the back of the seat. 

“Put on your seatbelt if you are all in for some speed.”

“ALWAYS!” Korra shouted, Mako shot Asami a look, to which she hinted telling him not to worry.

They took off. Korra taking in all the view she could. Cars, buildings, shops, crowds. There were a lot of people. From occasional outings outside the crowds she had never seen these many people. Add to it the fact that the sheer size of Republic city was 10 times of her the Harbour city. She was still immersed in the view when the car stopped and the board read - Narook's.

“Welcome to the best noodle place in the whole of Republic city.” Bolin cried out loud, not being able to hide his excitement. He grabbed Korra’s small hand and they both raced toward it.

“We have two 12 year old.” Mako’s sudden statement made Asami chuckle.

The team bonded over the food. Korra’s appetite matching Bolin, which was a feat not even adult Korra could achieve. When they were done with eating they made their way to see Republic city. Asami and Mako being the guides, Bolin just matching Korra’s excitement as if it was his first time in the city as well - City hall, ports, Kyoshi bridge, downtown, spirit vines. They left out the Spirit portal (remembering Jinora’s words) as It was already evening when they reached their final destination of the day - Avatar Korra Park. It was hard to believe that there was a park named after her in the middle of the city with her statue.

As they were seated on the bench near the statue, Korra could not look away from the mammoth thing in front of her. She remembered the chains, the whispers that she could not hear. ‘You have to help her break those chains Korra’. Aang’s words were ringing in her head. She glanced back but her friends were busy chatting among themselves. As she was concentrating entirely on the statue, she saw the fox spirit from morning emerge from behind. The spirit was moving toward her. She let out a huge sigh. It was as if her body started moving itself, she sat on the ground and started meditating. The spirit was now in front of her and looked at her before she vanished behind Asami who was standing in front of her.

It was hard to miss as her excited face from the day turned to somewhat tense. And now meditating in the middle of the park. Add to that the fact that their friend was now in a somewhat unconscious state, like she was when she used to visit spirit portal. The trio was now confused, now knowing what to do they just became attentive. But it wasn’t for long, Korra let out a sigh again, got up to face the crunched faces of her friends.

“Let’s go.” The trio was taken by surprise by sudden demand from the Avatar.

“Go where?” Mako questioned first.

“I want to see Kuvira and Zaheer.”

It was as if a horror struck on them as their curiosity peaked.

“How do you know them?” Asami was pretty sure no one had mentioned their name to Korra. Yet here she was asking about the information that never existed.

“Just Avatar stuff.” She grinned as life left their faces. And all efforts for further conversation were futile.

Soon they made their way back in an unspoken consensus toward the Air temple Island. It was upto Tenzin and Lin to explain and proceed now. It was late in evening when they reached back and could smell the dinner as they rushed through the halls. They decided the serious stuff could wait in face of starvation. When it was all over Asami and Mako briefed Tenzin about Avatar’s demand. To much of their dismay, Tenzin readily agreed.

“Some things are beyond our comprehension.” He said. Only to be greeted by more stares. 

--

Asami was deep in her thoughts when she heard a knock on her door. Surprised to find that Korra had come to visit her. Though it made her happy.

“I didn’t expect our rooms to be so near.” Now seated at the end of her bed. “It still took me a trip to the other side before finding Ikki and asking about it though.”

“To what do I have the pleasure of Avatar visiting me.” She smirked, making Korra a bit uncomfortable.

“I wanted to thank you for today. And..” Suddenly Korra was struggling with words.

“It was nothing, we can always go out again.” Asami gave her a soft smile. “Is there something else you want to talk about?”

“Well it is confusing to say.”

“Try me”

“How weird would it be if i say you are the shell for my spirit guide?”

Asami’s face scrunched up with visible confusion. “Go on.”

“Well when i was in the park. I saw the fox spirit that I saw when I first landed here and attacked you.” Her eyes now on ground, she gathered her breath before she continued. “And somehow Aang had told me about it. So when i saw it in the park today I tried to contact it. It didn’t speak but I knew what I had to do and it vanished behind you as if it was it’s portal.”

“I am very confused.”

“You must be. But now I understand you must be really important to the future me. It’s weird but even I feel the most calm around you.” Korra’s cheek turned a bit red and she hoped Asami didn’t notice it.

“Okay. So what do I need to do?” Trying to brush off the discomfort that she felt from Korra.

“You’re fine with it? It can be dangerous.”

“I am. You’re the most important person in my life for me.” Korra could only see a resolve in her eyes.

Not knowing what to say to this. It felt like a sting to her heart since she knew this importance wasn’t for her, she tried to change the topic. “Korra is in trouble and I have to help her. That’s why I am here. I don’t know what she did but I need to mend what was broken for her. And you need to remind me if I ever stray from that. The spirit told me that my powers and my spirit energy are very unstable right now. Easy to be controlled by anyone and she suspects someone is already out there.”

“Who, if you have any idea?”

“Someone powerful since Korra was attacked in her unconscious state. Tell me something, was she having some problems that she could not take her mind off from.” Her look was steady as she demanded an answer. 

“She was just worried about her role in the world and what if she fails. Insecurities, uncertainties and that’s why she had a lot of nightmares. She was free from troubles for the first time. Talking about how surreal it feels that now there is peace.” Asami couldn’t control the stream of tears that suddenly overpowered her as she thought of Korra.

Korra’s hands moved on her again as she wrapped Asami in an embrace. “It will be fine. I am here now. And the only thing I am here to do is save her or create conditions where she can rise up herself.” Asami’s grip tightened over her. “I am here for you as well. I know how scared you have been and the facade of strongness that you kept. I should have sensed this earlier. I am sorry it took me so many days. We’ll get her back.”

Asami continued crying and Korra could feel her clothes getting wet by these tears. Another sense of guilt surrounded her. They stayed like that for some time before Asami caught her breath again. 

“I will help you. Is that why you asked to meet Kuvira and Zaheer.”

“Yes,” Korra said, looking straight into her eyes. “Another thing you can not tell anyone about this conversation. And I don’t think I will remember about it as well. Sorry for giving you this burden to carry alone. But that was your wish, I mean spirit guide’s wish.”

“I won’t.” Asami could only muster half smile as her tears dried. She was happy that even in these times, she could somehow help Korra and be her only confidant. They stayed there for some time like that before retiring for the night. A shadow of Korra as she went back. She couldn’t remember when she slept as the young Avatar had given her a lot to think about.

--

It took four days for Tenzin to get permission from President Moon to get the permission for Korra to visit the prisoners. She could not believe what had happened with the Avatar so they had to arrange a meeting for both of them before she could believe. Paperwork took some time but now it was time. Kuvira and Zaheer were flown back to Republic City and made to stay in a compound specially designed for them by Future Industries under Asami’s direction. It was a fast project and took a week to be completed but in time.

Korra had already forgotten about the talk with Asami as she had said. But still she felt that her closeness had improved with her. Tenzin tasked the trio again to keep the Avatar safe, as Lin accompanied them. When they reached the compounds Korra said she wanted to talk to them alone which made them uncomfortable as it was not safe but they obliged and decided to keep watch.

It was time, Korra was seated against Kuvira.