Last day… :’( A bit rushed at the end, but I did my best.
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Korra
Book 3
Rated K
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The world doesn’t need you anymore.
Korra’s breath caught in her throat when the ominous, familiar voice echoed in her mind. The voice was so clear she almost thought that its owner was in that very room.
Her tired eyes flickered back and forth. She saw the president, Mako, Bolin, Pema, Lin and Suyin across the stage from her. From the corner of her eye, she saw the injured Bumi and Kya to her right, and her parents and Fire Lord Zuko to her left. Around the alter stood the entirety of the new Air Nation while attendees sat respectfully on mats below, watching the anointment of the first airbending master in a generation. No one in the room triggered any memory of that voice.
Her chest rose and fell with a silent sigh. She was hearing things again. Just like last week at the hospital, those long, cold nights hooked up to tubes, listening to her fears echo and bounce off the walls and surround her like merciless tigerdillos, crying out when the walls began to close in on her.
It didn’t matter, though. She knew the voice was right. The Avatar is no longer needed.
She felt her heart leap to her throat when a soft hand squeezed her shoulder. She glanced up at Asami, who seemed to have sensed her uneasiness. “It’s okay,” she reassured quietly as to not disturb the ceremony, “Just a little longer.”
Korra looked away, keeping her mouth shut. Instead she tried to focus on Tenzin, who was praising her for bringing back the Air Nation after nearly two hundred years.
"… There is no way we can ever repay her for all she’s done…"
She mentally sneered at that comment. What exactly has she done? Opening the portals only further aggravated the people of the world. Spirits roamed and sometimes terrified them, and she was to blame for everything after that. She put Republic City in danger— twice, caused a civil war, lost her connection with her past Avatars, and was the main reason for the fall of Ba Sing Se.
The hard truth reverberated in her head once more, this time louder and just as mocking:
The world doesn’t need you anymore.
Of course not. With her in a wheelchair, what use was she to her people? She’s been told she’ll get better, but how long will that be? A month? A year? Her brows furrowed, eyes stinging with tears threatening to leak out. Even if she does regain her mobility, it’d be highly unlikely for anyone to ask for her help. Not like she’s been completely successful in that department before.
She stared down at her lap shamefully. What could she do that the airbenders alone couldn’t do twice as well?
"… But we can follow her example of service and sacrifice…"
Those words pushed away Korra’s negative thoughts and rang in her head. Service and sacrifice… Has she really done something that honorable?
Suddenly, a cloudy memory from deep in the pits of her mind resurfaced for a split second, the recollection of her and Amon’s inevitable face off and the victory she gained. Her gaze softened. That was when she finally unlocked her airbending. She could never forget that.
Then another memory— the moment she connected with her inner spirit, tapping into the energy of the universe to defeat Unavaatu once and for all— flashed past her vision. A small smile appeared on her face. That was her own spirit, wasn’t it? Not Raava’s. That was something to be proud of.
"… But unlike our ancestors, we will serve people of all nations, working wherever there is corruption and discord, to restore balance and peace," Tenzin was saying. He turned to her, his eyes full of happiness and gratitude. "Avatar Korra, I vow that we will do everything in our power to follow in your footsteps and bring harmony to the world." He pressed his left fist into his right hand, bowing— a sign of respect.
Slightly stunned but swelling with pride, Korra modestly bowed her head to him in response.
She has done some notable things as the Avatar. She’s inspired so many people in this room and more. Even Tenzin is honoring her good deeds. That has to mean something!
Something else flashed in her mind, the small smile on her face vanishing as quickly as it appeared. Zaheer’s calm, menacing stare, piercing into her soul, spreading fear throughout her body. He caused her immobility, rendering her unable to protect her people. What does she gain out of this?
She hardly had enough time to ponder on this; when Tenzin removed the hood off of Jinora’s cloak, revealing her newly tattooed head, Korra choked up.
This… she thought, I did this.
A single tear ran down her cheek. To say she was overwhelmed was an understatement. She couldn’t believe all the tasks she really accomplished, nor did she realize it before. She opened the portals, she put darkness in its place, she fought her own battles, and she brought the Air Nation back. But most of all, she restored the balance once again.
"We can leave if this is too much, Korra," she heard Asami tell her, "Just say the word and we’re gone."
But Korra just shook her head, more tears streaking down from her eyes the faint smile returning.
The challenges that were laid out in front of her were difficult, but she always came out triumphant.