The Reset

A sense of betrayal filled everyone back at the temple. It has been three days since the incident with Kei, and Korra was still asleep leaving everyone with an uneasy feeling. Kya and even Jinora could not detect what was wrong with her. She was unharmed but a deep sleep just after meeting someone they had no idea about, it was something of an extreme lapse when it comes to the security of Avatar. So much for the promise of doing nothing to her. Asami was watching over her all the time, and Mako, in turn, over Asami. 

A temporary arrangement was made with Zaheer and Kuvira and they were put under house arrest at the temple in Tenzin and Lin’s supervision by the order of President Moon. They had made no attempt to escape and even defended the Avatar so that helped their case. Zaheer was there for personal reasons as he thought it could help him understand more about the spirit world. Kuvira because she wanted to and Suyin had also asked her to do the same. Who else could be better for security purposes other than one of the best metal benders of the world. Lack of metal on the island was a problem but arrangements could be made for that. The security of the island was increased. It would not be wrong to say that the Air temple island became the new impenetrable fortress similar to Ba Sing se minus the walls. An elite team under Lin and General Iroh was given the incharge for the same.

All that was left was to wait for Avatar to wake up.

--

When Korra opened her eyes, she found herself running in the wilderness of the South Pole like she used to when she sneaked out of the White Lotus compound and to an undestined journey. She ran and ran until she found the end of the large ice mountain, her favourite place in the whole South. The moon here at night was one of the most spectacular wonders of the world. She sat on the edge on the mountains, her legs hanging as she breathed in the cold winds and got lost in the calming view. It wasn’t long before she realised that an uncontrollable stream of tears had graced her face for a reason she had no idea about. It was a normal night of sneaking out, tomorrow she will need to go back to practise firebending and earthbending. Absolute in her resolve to get back at Nuuk. She tried to think back to her day only to find herself missing the details of when she went back to sleep and ho she found herself on the way to the mountain. It was as if there was something missing.

She tried hard to think and it slowly came back to her - Air temple Island, Kei, Asami. What was she doing here, what happened to Korra, her mind was suddenly flooded with all kinds of questions that her head felt heavy. It was then that she heard someone calling her name, when she turned she found Kyoshi sitting beside her.

“Do you remember?” The taller women asked.

“I think so, but what am I doing back here?” It was hard to deny how full of questions she was at the moment.

“This is temporary.” Kyoshi’s voice was unlike she had imagined. She looked intimidating but somehow talking to her put her to ease. “I gather that you understand now why you were chosen.” A projection of Korra tied in chains flashed before them.

“I think so. I know how this happened but that still doesn’t entirely explain me being there.” Korra was lost in her thoughts.

“It was Raava, your connection to past lives was severed. But we all lived within her. And Korra’s time as an Avatar is not over but a spirit intertwined blocking her mind.”

“Yes, Kei did say something along those lines.”

“He is a foul player, he used the process of Korra’s growth and healing against her. And that just pushed an already vulnerable Avatar more into the abyss. Raava had to use some of the most deep and unknown powers but she could not save that from happening. Avatars as humans do have a consciousness of their own. So she temporarily re-established the severed connection to your past lives. But it had to be in a time before it was done.” Kyoshi explained calmly.

“That’s how I came into the play. But I don't understand what I can do, I am not good at bending, also adding an entire element that I have to learn from scratch. My spiritual powers are non-existent. What can I even do to help her?” The tears that had long dried up somehow found their way again in her eyes.

Kyoshi smiled at her and patted on her head. It was a shock for Korra because whatever she had been told about Kyoshi was that she was this fierce warrior who was feared in all nations was here, but here she was sitting beside her, being gentle and soft with her. She made a mental note to read up more about her, the books must be very wrong, she thought. Yes, she was tall, and looked intimidating with that face paint, but her actions were something that only a kind person would do. And it did calm Korra a bit.

“You are the Avatar and a talented one at that. Most Avatar could only bend one element at your age or were not even aware of their avatar hood like me. And you are chosen because there might be something for you to learn from this as well. It’s only you who can correct the course of these events and bring the balance back.”

“You think I can do that. I mean Kei told me how our actions can have different consequences, sometimes the bad ones that we never intended. It’s just tha, I don’t understand, I mean that if we only believe our cause is right for doing things as justice, isn’t someone who is trying to correct something that was once wrong also just. He lost his peace because of the wrongful actions of the Avatar. I don’t know what to do anymore it seems.” Korra looked at her only to find Kyoshi looking at the weak colors of the sun before it made its presence over the horizon.

“Only Justice can bring peace. Revenge is not justice, Korra. You should hear all sides before putting a blame on one. Truth is often clouded by perspective.” Korra could only nod as Kyoshi looked back to her face again.

“You are the Avatar, remember that.” 

They sat in silence as the sun climbed up  slowly in the sky. Kyoshi gave her a smile before she vanished into the thin air. Time to go back. Korra stood up and began her long walk back to the compound as the view around her started to change. Suddenly she found herself standing across the blue fox spirit that she had already encountered.

“You’re here to take me back.” The fox came closer to her and closed its eyes. Korra took it as a sign and put her hand on the fox’s head before she closed her own eyes. They both started glowing and vanished slowly.

--

When Korra opened her eyes again she found herself in her room back at the Air Temple Island. She sat on her bed and found an exhausted Asami sitting near the bed, sleeping with her head on the side of bed. 

“Thank you for bringing me back.” She said to the sleeping Asami as she gently stroked her head. 

Jinora opened the door making her flinch back to the corner of bed again. “You’re up” She shouted as she made her way inside the room. Her voice woke Asami up and a smile pressed on her face as she registered a Korra that was sitting and blinking inplace of a dull sleepy body on the bed.

“Seems like I am.” Korra smiled nervously.

“What happened?” Jinora was continuous with her questions.

“I had a long dream’” Korra was now trying to get up only to have Asami press a hand on her shoulder making her sit on bed again.

“Sit back.” Her voice was commanding. “I will get you some food first, get some energy and only after that you can move.” Korra wanted to protest but she realised she literally had no energy.

Jinora went back first, with the same pace she came in first. Asami followed her only to stop at the door and turn to Korra - “I am so glad you are back. I was, I mean, we were so worried.” She did not look back again as she marched behind Jinora to the kitchen.

“I know.” Korra muttered in a low voice audible only to herself. It took some time before they finally met others. A sense of relief washed everyone’s face. Korra asked Tenzin and Lin to come with her as she needed to talk to them. She did not want others to worry, especially Asami as she had noticed bags under her eyes that explained the lack of sleep. 3 days and no sleep, it was time to give her some rest.

She told Tenzin and Lin everything that had happened in the cave room. What Kei had said to her. She explained slowly and carefully gathering as much as she could from the memory. She asked Lin to look into what had happened at the village. Since there was no name other than a vague location, Lin said it would take her some time. She left the older two alone to discuss other things. 

She made her way to the training grounds only to find Asami sitting on the side of the hall facing outwards, waiting for her. She offered her the best lopsided grin she could to which Asami smiled back at her. She sat close to her as they both looked at the Air temple fields.

“I made you worry again,” Korra said, still looking ahead.

“I was worried but I am glad you’re back here...Us again” She said with her eyes on Korra.

“Well you got me back here yourself.” Asami shot her a confused look. “Just kidding.” Korra kept her head on Asami’s shoulder. Asami sighed, it had been a long and exhausting few days for her. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders as they continued to sit like that.

“It’s alright. Just don’t go vanishing on me like that again.”

They sat for some time alone not speaking anything. Words were not needed anyway. 

-- 

Another week passed as the routine sat back into Korra’s life. Training and meditation but with added trips to the temple library dedicated to study of past Avatars. Tenzin was shocked yet delighted by this new development. Asami and Mako accompanied her. In the evening Ikki came to the library and told Korra that Lin was looking for her. Mako and Asami this time accompanied her as they made their way to Tenzin’s office.

“I assume you found something.” Korra said as she entered the office.

“Sharp kid.” Lin stood up from her chair. “The story checks, it was a false report created by the Governor.” Korra's eyes found the ground as guilt washed over her. “But something doesn’t fit right.”

“What do you mean?”

“The chiefs of the town were killed. Aang got the real report soon and he was on his way to confront the Governor for the mishaps. But he was mysteriously found dead. And the Chief’s kid that you said had escaped. Turns out that he died with his parents too.”

Korra looked at Lin.

“But the case was prematurely closed with lots of the details missing on request of Avatar Aang. But there are details that don't fit right at all.”