#the mere thought of korra dying

[artmitnay]

#avatar korra #avatar the legend of korra #legend of korra #korra #tlok #atla #avatar the last airbender #aang #korrasami #the mere thought of korra dying #makes me immensely sad #if she dies i die

[maddmuses]

Avatar Li of The Fire Nation

faceclaim: Chella Man

Age: 18 Gender: Non-binary (They/Them, presents as male) Sex: Male Affiliation: The Fire Nation's Royal Family, The Fire Nation, Order of The White Lotus Date of Birth: June 21st, 288 AG (Year of The Dragon) Place of Birth: The Fire Nation Capital Ethnicity: Mixed (Predominantly Fire Nation, though some Earth Kingdom Descent) Predecessor: Hojin (As Avatar), Fire Lord Zaiho (As Crown Prince) Successor: Ichizan (As Crown Prince) Family: Fire Lord Zaiho (Father), Zashi (Mother), Ichizan (Younger Brother)

Universe Inspiration: Un-Retconned Retcon post-Korra universe

Appearance Li is a young person of average height, though for someone who tends to bend they bias more towards the solid side of build. Being predominantly of Fire Nation ethnicity, and in fact a member of that country's royal family, Li has physical qualities that are common among citizens of this country, notably dark hair, light skin, and dark eyes. Notably, pictures of Li have been compared to paintings and tapestries of Fire Lord Sozin, though his eyes are possessed of a gentler quality, one described by his grandmother of being more reminiscent of Uncle Iroh.

Generally, Li dresses in a fashion that is typical for the post-Hojin era, often dressing casually, and favoring jeans, usually dyed blue or black, to remain comfortable and able to move when bending. Though they generally wears long-sleeved shirts, Li most often rolls them up to prevent singing from fire bending, though in environments that are much colder than a Fire Nation's winter, they'll often pull the sleeves down.

As a bender, and furthermore as the Avatar, Li has spent much of their youth and adolescence learning the forms and techniques of Firebending, resulting in a muscular stature. This is a quality that's fairly common among more striking-oriented bending styles, as well as many Avatars who have to employ a variety of forms, stances, styles, and techniques to become fully realized.

Personality Li finds themself in a unique situation. Growing up, they thought that they were the crown prince of the fire nation, though by the age of six, the lessons in diplomacy and culture became less frequent, as well as the emphasis from their father on any duties that would be expected of them. With time, upon their sixteenth birthday, the reason for this was revealed that they were determined to be the Avatar.

As an avatar, Li finds it a difficult position, as they feel a strong affinity and loyalty to their home country, but now has to be an ally and protector of the entire world, rather than simply one part of it as Fire Lord. Due to being a part of the fire nation's royal family, Li grew up with a healthy respect for the title and position, though the story of the two avatars that preceded them, Hojin and Korra, left the young firebender largely unimpressed. This would be compounded upon the beginning of their journey to become avatar, and learning to connect to their spirituality, rather than solely their firebending.

Through this, and connecting to previous Avatars, an ability that Hojin had rediscovered, Li finds themselves frequently at odds with their prior incarnations, thinking the both of them too bullheaded and short-sighted to be effective. Even Hojin, as avatar, was best known for his ability to rectify and undo something that Korra had done, in severing future reincarnations from their past lives. Despite this, Li may still consider their advice, and does still read the letters written, a tradition that Hojin chose to keep alive despite reconnecting to Korra, but often gives more credence to the allies of their past lives, rather than the avatars themselves.

Strong willed and prone to outbursts of temper, though, Li is not always the most vindicated person in their criticisms of Korra and Hojin, as even in childhood they struggled initially to develop the discipline necessary to become an effective firebender. The qualities that Li expresses, though one might think would make them a natural firebender, serves as a double-edged sword, as it is difficult to teach Li anything, which requires not only teachers with infinite patience, but also those who can allow Li to discover for themself how to do things. Many often blame this on Li's royal upbringing, but when asked by their younger brother, Ichizan always insists that "Li has always been that stubborn."

Biography Born in the summer, Li correlates to the traditional superstition of firebenders, within the Fire Nation's Royal Palace. His birth occurred during a period of time known as "The Stoking" in which the fire sages search for an avatar by way of exposing children to a small open flame, in fear they would, typically, bend other present elements to protect themselves. This is not an unfailing method of determination, however, as a normal firebending child can merely snuff the fire out as easily as an avatar child might use airbending to blow it out. However, due to a longstanding superstition that the royal family didn't produce avatar children, Li was never tested for this quality.

Growing up in the temple, Li had a very typical upbringing for a crown prince, including a great amount of time being spent with their father, and eventually with another child named Tooru, a girl who had been falsely identified as avatar after a display of airbending ability. The two made fast friends, though Tooru often failed to produce any flame, it was simply assumed that her more passive nature meant that she may have not only been an avatar like Korra, who was able to bend prodigally, but also was most well-suited to air, not a typical quality among firebending avatars, but not also unheard of.

As the two spent many of their days training, and learning of their respective duties, it was understood that Li's and Tooru's teachers would have a difficult time with both students, once believing that Tooru was simply too weak to be a firebender. It wasn't until an incident at which Li was twelve that the teacher questioned which one was actually the avatar, when he had begun to notice the air around Li shift as they used more circular forms and techniques.

At about this time, the fire sages paid the royal family a visit, under the guise of checking on Tooru, to instead test Li at their teacher's behest. By encouraging him and Tooru to stand in a heated chamber, and practice meditation and breathing exercises, they noticed that not only did the water, but so did the air, respond more to Li's breathing, while only the air occasionally overpowered Li long enough to respond to the other.

This information was brought to the fire lord who, honored that his child was the avatar, felt some melancholy that such a strong-willed heir was taken out of consideration for the throne, though at the request of the sages they withheld the revelation to his child, allowing Li's friendship with Tooru, who still believed she was the avatar, to remain unstrained, and giving the former heir opportunity to become more mature before learning this. Accordingly, though, Li began to notice that they were treated differently following the visit, with there being fewer invitations to formal and state-related affairs, though they were still welcome, the explicit invitations that were once always extended now went to Li's younger brother Ichizan.

The result of this was a period of resentment towards Ichizan that Li held, the sages must have told their father that Li's firebending was too weak, or that there was something wrong with their character. Maybe the sages had figured out Li's gender? Maybe this was some sort of bigotry? Regardless, Li would grow cold to their younger brother for about five or so years, focusing more on their firebending, and spending most of their time with Tooru. As time went on, Li's firebending eventually did become stronger, though hardly at a level that one might mistake them for a master.

Eventually, though, Li's sixteenth birthday would come, and culturally they would be considered an adult in their society. At this time, one would expect Li's position as crown prince to either be formally declared, or an absence of any such declaration would make the young royal's position evident and clear.

What ended up happening took not only Li, but anyone ignorant to these facts by surprise as well. Indeed, Li was the avatar, and was to depart for their journey to become a fully realized avatar, though their firebending may not be quite satisfactory, it was assumed to be acceptable that Li would grow in their fire, along with the other elements, like avatars before them. It was at this time that Li was given the letters of the avatars, and expected to travel to the Air Nation in Republic City for training in a familiar setting.

Skills, Abilities, and Powers -Avatar Spirit: Like all Avatars, Li is the reincarnation of the first Avatar, an incarnation of the planet's spirit given human form. Connected to the Avatar Cycle, though only to Korra and Hojin, the predecessive avatars in the current cycle. This enables Li to not only bend all four of the elements naturally, but also enables them to learn techniques such as energybending, as well as allows Li to initiate a state of spiritual acceleration known as "The Avatar State" that enhances Li's ability to bend, as well as drawing upon the knowledge of all Avatars before Li. Though Li can only consciously access the knowledge of Korra and Hojin, they may still do so on a subconscious level for the others. --Firebender: As an avatar in the fire quarter of the cycle, Li naturally bends fire, and developed skill in the element first. A late bloomer in this art, Li is considered a strong firebender, but only slightly above average when compared to what one would expect of a master, less a firebending avatar. --Airbender: The second element for Li to learn in the cycle, Li has expressed a small amount of ability with the element, though this has been passive at best. They are currently seeking out a teacher for this element. --Earthbender: Not yet trained, the ability to bend it exists. --Waterbender: Not yet trained, the ability to bend it exists.

-Martial Arts: Beyond the simple ability to bend, Firebending itself is a martial art, and can be applicable external to throwing around fire. Capable in a style similar to Northern Shaolin, Lin uses a style with many quick movements and strikes with a great amount of power, as well as a certain degree of ability using close range to evade the attacks of others.

-Swordplay: Traditionally taught among the royal family, following the institution of this practice by Zuko, Li is more skilled with swords than he is flame. Traditionally known to use broadswords and sabers, the young avatar is known to be especially deadly when armed.

-Poetry: A popular discipline in the fire nation, Li is particularly fond of haiku and songs. Li has spent a great amount of their time listening to, and composing, poetry. Through some connection, possibly to a past life, or multiple, Li believes that poetry is the embodiment of being. To live is a fine poem, and the way you live it is reflected in the prose and plot.

-Paisho: Much like other Avatars following Kuruk, Li is talented at Paisho, though like other qualities consistent among them, their recollection of strategies and talent is not a cerebral process. It's actually when Li plays by feeling, rather than strategy, that the skill of their past lives begins to show.

-Education: As the heir apparent until the age of 12, but also a member of the royal family, Li received a more sophisticated education than most, with an understanding in a variety of subjects. This was given to Li, as well as their brother, through a group of tutors hired by the fire lord.

-Leadership: Through the years, Li was lectured by their father, and expected to become a leader on the world stage. This predominantly had more to do with state affairs, though, and as Li begins to work with a Team Avatar, they'll discover that these are totally different.

Bending Abilities and Techniques -The Avatar State: Through delving into the power of their past lives, Li is able to unlock something called The Avatar State. In this state, the power and knowledge of their past lives courses through Li, though they can't experience any specific memories or recall information, for any incarnations prior to Korra. Notably, in this state, Li is able to metal bend like their predecessor Korra could. Aside from technique, the Avatar State also enhances the potency of an avatar's bending, acting as something of a boost. While in the Avatar State, though, there runs a risk of permanent death of the Avatar Cycle, as when one uses this state and dies, the cycle ends forever.

-Lightning Redirection: A common technique, especially in the region of the New Republic, Li is able to capably redirect the attacks of lightningbending.

#The Third Wave (Avatar Li)

[sad-weiying]

I thought ur teen years were supposed to be the years filled with rage but the older i get the angrier i become

Ok so this might get me in trouble but im well past the point of caring by now since no one else around here seems to have the balls to say it so im just gonna rant

Im angry. I’m angry that our fandom spaces are being taken over by this crowd who missed fandom orientation by like a decade.

Do you guys even realise you’ve been violently invading and overriting spaces that have already existed way before you ever got your hands on a smarphone? Places with their own codes of conduct, created by people who were already here years before you? Places you only get to enjoy because those you are speaking over and putting down fought for and created them themselves?

It is not your place to dictate any rules in fandom spaces, and it is not your place to try to guilt fans into changing their experiences for your own headcanons from yout fake-ass moral high ground.

Do your own thing.

Stop trying to make everyone else submit to what you think should be the ‘new and improved canon’ of things.

You black Hermione and desi Harry headcanons are fine. Draw them and write them to your heart’s content! But you did not write Harry Potter.

You are a fan. And you do not get to guilt the rest of the fandom into subscribing to your headcanon to the point of normalising a warped version of canon that most new fans wouldn’t recognise.

Your trans kurapika headcanon is fine. We’re here to headcanon to our heart’s content. But you did not write Hunter x Hunter.

You are a fan.

And before you come at me with ‘problematic’ on your toungue, maybe stop to consider why it is ok for you to rob someone else of their comfort character because you want them for yourself. Consider if you’re fine with someone taking your Garnet, your Korra, your Asami, your Alluka, hell, the entire cast of ATLA and LOK, and having them be so warped beyond the character you love and identify with in the minds of the entire fandom that you’re suddenly not sure if they’re even the same characters you found so much comfort in, just because someone decided their headcanon was more morally appealing and had enough presence in the fandom to normalise it by claiming those characters ‘improved’ from the canon you so much loved.

If someone decided alluka would be improved by being a cis gay boy would you, trans girl, not feel slighted that your connection to her, through your own gender identity, was being considered lesser than?

Would you not feel slighted, black girl, if someone were to decide garnet as a light skinned asian would be an improvement to her character and fuck canon, we’re doing this now?

Those were mere examples that came to mind. They are many other facets of characters that have been tampered with in a fandom-wide manner in all sorts of ways in the name of moral improvement.

I’m not here to talk representation folks. Im a lesbian, i get it. And god knows i headcanon away canon on a regular basis myself. But those headcanons are all they are. MY headcanons. I am aware that what i am imaginging is not the character that the creator has made and it is not the character other folks hold so dear.

I am also not talking about color. If ya’ll north americans and europeans would get your collective brain cell to look down for one second, you’d realize there’s an entire hemisphere of fans below you, and that race is a much more subjective topic than you guys could ever dream for the rest of the world.

I am brazilian. Technically, by US standards, i am considered latina. Poc, right? I am also as pale as every harry potter character ive mentioned. I’m also blue eyed and originally blond before i dyed my hair dark in an attempt to fit better into my country’s standard of beauty.

Which is not ‘pale wilting flower of a white girl’.

Would you look at that: race is also not as objective as yall think.

Right so yall are gonna call me racist and transphobic anyways, i know the drill, but i hope if you take away nothing else from this, at least you remember that there once was a little pale girl in Brazil whose only solace from bullying from darker-skinned, prettier peers and friends and family constantly insisting on having her get a tan and insisting her light hair was too boring were the foreign strangers who looked like her on a screen, and who were also considered strong and pretty and perfect just as they were by so many people over the world.

TL;DR: Canon is not yours. Stop shutting anyone whos ok with a character being white in canon bc ‘racism’, stop yelling at anyone whos ok with a character not being queer or poc or whatever else in canon and remember you did not get here first. Go headcanon with your friends. Go ask an older fan how to conduct yourself in these spaces. Learn to be a better fan.

#yea im #im tired #my old bones just aint the same #it gets too much seeing my skin color get trashed to hell and back not just in my own country #but also everywhere else where i thought id found acceptance #i just want to be a fan #like we used to before #thats all #shut up bella #long post

[jolivira]

I can’t believe I did it!

The final chapter of my Legend of Korra fanfiction: Sacrifice for a Lost Cause

Chapter 9

COSMIC ENERGY

It was finally time. Korra was as ready as she ever would be.

She had left Naga at the Water Palace. Despite the strong resistance from the polar bear-dog, eventually she gave in and agreed to stay behind. As she was leaving, Korra tried her best not to see or be seen by anyone, in special her parents; she knew that if she encountered them, even for a mere second, she would want to give up on her quest.

A few hours later and she was crossing the spirit portal and heading to the opposite portal. Korra carried nothing but the clothes on her body, everything else had been left with Naga.

Once in the Northern Water Tribe, she followed her gut and headed to the place that had the biggest spiritual presence in their culture, since the very first days of the avatar: the Spirit Oasis, home to probably the strongest and most important spirits for waterbenders in general. Tui and La.

Days ago during their meeting, masters Tenzin and Jinora had refused to give their personal opinion on the last chakra. They offered advice on how to proceed with the meditation itself, explained to her where Aang had failed and, most importantly, why. But they never suggested a place to go like they had with all the other ones.

The crown chakra was special, the hardest type of energy to set free to roam through your body. Some call it the bridge from the human mind to the universe as a whole, she also knew what it would lead to happen.

The world needed it to happen.

Korra walked through the tall temple that marked the entrance to the Oasis. It was the first time she had ever seen it but she could sense a strong familiar pull towards it.

Her breath was immediately taken away by the beauty of the place. Past the circular wooden door was a big lake protecting a small grass patch and the Koi Fish Pond, as it was called. None of the bodies of water here were frozen, in fact the air was miraculously warm and cozy, somehow the open sky there presented brighter stars than in the other parts of the land.

The two bridges that led to the pond were small and looked extremely fragile. Ancient. The waterfall that stood behind the temple had a constant flow of water but Korra couldn’t hear any sound coming from it.

Once she reached the end of the short bridge, Korra took off her boots before stepping on the grass.  As her skin came in contact with the leaves, Korra felt strong energy waves running through her body, she was surrounded by purity of it. She approached the circular pond and observed the structure that stood behind it: a traditional spiritual gate engraved on wood to symbolize the merging overlap between the physical and spiritual worlds.

About 50 years ago, Aang had meditated here to seek the spirits’ help. And on the same day Princess Yue gave up her life to save the Moon Spirit, at this place they became one. Or better, they went back to one being.

Seemed appropriate as a closure to her journey. Whether it would end up to be heroic like Aang’s story or tragic like Yue’s, that was another matter entirely. It was honouring to see everything with her own eyes. Korra respectfully bowed to the Koi Fish; Tui and La were swimming in a perfect circle, their eternal dance where balanced opposite forces pushed and pulled, never touching and never getting further away from each other.

Korra then sat under the wooden spirit gate, she settled in full lotus position and took a deep breath closing her eyes, calming her interior. A second later she opened them and saw it:

They were all there, every single one, she was sure. Across from the pond in front of Korra, floating just centimeters above the lake, light spirit forms of all the avatars were sitting cross-legged in deep meditation. Some were old people, the centuries old masters, but it also surprised her to see two or three very young children there as well. They all stood together in the same glory and sharing of the same will.

She recognized some faces: Aang was right in the front alongside avatar Roku, Kyoshi, Kuruk and Yangchen. Korra couldn’t see all of them, but she managed to recognize Yutae and Zei Kan a little farther in the back. Lishiamo and Wan were probably reaching the entrance of the lake as there were about one hundred faded white figures. Looking again, the spirits all seemed to be in a peaceful sleep state.

Seeing them all there, patiently waiting for a reunion with Raava and Korra’s spirit, it all made her head go dizzy and her heart sorrowful. They were so close now… she needed to succeed.

Korra interlaced her fingers with the ring finger pointing up, right thumb on top of the left one. She lifted her hands to the height of her chin to complete the om mudra. Her eyes focused directly on the past avatars, barely blinking. She took a deep breath and meditated on the crown chakra on the very top of her head.

Very few people in the Four Nations’ history had become a Mahatma, that is, a Great Soul. A person that opened the last chakra successfully and lived the rest of their lives as a guru. They all had the same characteristics though: they learned to separate anxiety for the future, from the reality of the present; unanswered questions such as “what is my place?” and “why am I here?” had vanished for them, losing all meaning. By connecting to the Universe, there was no reason to worry or wonder about the impossible. Some isolated themselves looking to find peace while many walked the world to share their wisdom with others. They all had no attachments to their life nor any fear of dying, walking miles barefoot and only carrying water with them.

Korra’s focus now was to think like them, aspire to become one of them. The avatar must put the world’s needs before their own personal beliefs, and that meant Korra had to leave it all behind. Without the knowledge of the past, the future would most certainly lead to chaos, as true balance demanded sacrifices.

She thought of what attached her to this world, what mattered most to her, what would make Korra give up everything for?

From the high stars above, Korra saw specs of light shooting down like meteors. Their glow was significantly different from the avatars’, these were sharper and had a silver aura to them. The shiny lights danced in the air and moved freely around.

The more the lights moved, the more definition they gained to their shapes and forms. One of the flashes reached the pond and circled the water following Tui and La’s rhythm. A few seconds passed by quickly and four figures shot from the water.

Standing in front of her, Korra saw Toph and Lin and right behind them were Bolin and Mako. Each one had influenced her life in a unique way, they all had shared their own strength with her. Korra loved and admired them deeply.

She stayed still as they walked past her, crossing her physical body with their silver essence. Each one that passed she could feel a pull at her heart and stomach. Korra fought the urge of looking back to see them go once the four of them had crossed. She couldn’t look back, it would be the proof that she wasn’t ready, that she wasn’t able to go through with it.

Korra took a deep breath and watched as another light shape sprint through the skies as it circled the pond. First, three spirits merged from it, then later another two. She saw Katara’s old figure, her hunched back and her braided hair; beside her were Tenzin and Pema. The three of them symbolized her past with Aang, but they were also her support, her reinforcement and encouragement to keep going and to keep fighting. They had taught her how to protect herself and how to love others. It hurt even more to imagine them leaving.

The three of them passed through her at the same time, she felt every inch as they got closer, every step they took towards her. And then they were gone.

Korra had no time to think or regret her choice once the next two spirit forms in front of her started marching as well. Her parents.

Senna and Tonraq were smiling, they looked proud of their humble beginnings and proud of Korra’s many achievements. They were at the core of her origins and the ones she needed to show the outermost respect and gratitude for their consistent care.

Instead of walking though, the image of her parents’ memories reached down and engulfed Korra’s body in a hug. She felt their spirits fading through her as the hug melted away from her grasp. Her heart beat faster and her breathing stopped for a second. She couldn’t see, but she had to feel the intense pain as they went. It finally made the tears start forming in Korra’s eyes, both from the physical and psychological pain she was feeling in that moment.

Korra was now breathing harder, her eyes stung. She pushed past, ignoring all of it, focusing on the avatars in front of her: Zei Kan’s willpower reached her along with Lishiamo’s strength, reminding her of the purpose of this quest.

Although she had the thoughts clear in her mind, it didn’t stop the wet tears from rolling down her cheeks. Korra did not dare moving even an inch from the mudra and, regardless of her body begging her to stop, she kept going.

One more light descended to circle the pond and four more ghostly images, four pairs of feet gracelly touched the grass. Korra watched nostalgically as Jinora, Ikki, Meelo and Rohan calmly paced around in her direction. Differently from the visions back at Makapu Village, the four of them were now grown up. They all had blue master tattoos except for Rohan, of course, who was still fifteen years old. Their expressions were soft, they wore the clothes Korra had last seen them on.

The air kids represented for Korra the bright future ahead, it was the safety of a nation she had fought tooth and nail to guarantee. She was their safeguard and their protector, looking out both for their physical and personal wellbeing. And thanks to their close relationship, the Air Nation was more prosperous now than it had been in the last 200 years. All thanks to these kids; kids that she would soon need to start referring to as adults.

When they passed through her body, it was like being tickled by a feather. Korra had never felt such gentle and light energy going through her before, and it only worsened the stinging pain on her stomach.

But again, refused to turn around and look back.

Then, the last one of the cosmic lights shot down to the pond, stronger and brighter than any of the previous ones. Korra observed as the light pulsated every other second until two spirits emanated from it, dissipating all of the light that was previously in the pond.

Naga and Asami were standing right in front of her. More tears started to roll down korra’s eyes as she was reminded of every good memory she ever had with them, and all of that she had learned to love and appreciate most in her life. Naga’s tail wagged from one side to another, Asami had her hand on the polar bear-dog’s head as she gently caressed it.

They slowly walked together in her direction. Naga went ahead running, she barked at Korra, which only made the woman chuckle and smile sadly at her companion. Once she jumped through Korra’s body, she saw all of their past together. The little pup she had saved from the freezing snow back in the South, she saw as Naga grew up and followed her everywhere she went. And she saw herself, not more than the day before, leaving her behind to finish the task.

Naga’s loyalty and unshaken love would still be there for her, forever.

Lastly, Asami walked silently in a slower pace than all of the others. Her spirit kneeled down as Korra felt a gentle hand on her cheek, wiping away some of the tears. A smile spread across her features and she reached up to lay a kiss on korra’s forehead.

Asami moved past Korra’s body, forcing her to say goodbye, to let go of all that she found beautiful and pure in the world. Naga’s and Asami’s spirits continued their walk, Korra could sense their breathing and their own sadness as it expanded and intensified, absorbing all of the Spirit Oasis in the sentiment. Korra closed her eyes for a second time, reminiscing all of their seconds spent together, all of that she had learned. She gave herself a few seconds to recompose, to regain her courage.

With one last deep breath, Korra let all of those attachments go, all of these people that would make her give everything up, disappearing and flowing far away from her.

Korra sensed her eyes glowing as she entered the avatar state, her spirit was transported to a different world, to a different spectrum made of ethereal matter and cosmic dust. All her tears and emotions were gone as she saw herself on a perfect rounded path made of light. At the end of the line there was a bigger Korra, a higher spirit of herself, shining in celestial pink and purple tones.

She started to walk in that direction, then she found herself sprinting down the line, running to reach her pure energy and to finally be connected. Korra extended her right arm towards it. Almost there. So so close.

Everything went white. Suddenly, all around her, everything was too bright.

Korra reopened her eyes. The avatars were still all there, and now they all had their eyes open as well. They weren’t floating in the distance anymore, they were close, becoming a part of her again.

Aang was the first to stand up, he stared directly at her eyes as he approached and kneeled just like Asami had. But instead of dissipating through her body, Aang spirit materialized inside of her, fusing with her and Raava’s. After that she felt them all, Roku, Kyoshi, Kuruk, Yangchen. One by one, she felt their minds merge, their lives becoming hers again. She was relieving each second and breathing in each one’s life.

It felt like an eternity. Wan was the last one, his spirit embraced her, sealing their souls together for eternity.

It all came at the same time:

Names, fears, stories, memories, lovers, enemies, villages, identities and so much more. Hundreds and hundreds of years of living, dying and being reborn. Death and doubt and hope and love. It came to a point where it was unbearable to Korra, she felt like she was being ripped apart from the inside, her mind was imploding. All at the same time. Her body and mind screamed together.

The figures and spirits now vanished. Korra was left to the shiny stars and the swimming of Tui and La. Alone. But not quite.

It was with that revelation that Korra’s weeping begun, her chest convulsed and her muscles ached on her skin. Every cell and every organ. Her limbs were weak and her mind was an unstoppable mess.

She did it. She had them back, reconnected by Raava’s light and Wan’s will. All of it, inside her again.

The cycle was finally, finally whole.

Korra’s sobbing could be heard through the rest of the night from that point. the avatar cried for everything that she had leaned with her past lives, cried for her fears and guilt that were finally lifted from her. She cried for those she lost today, and all of the infinite lives she received today.

For hours and hours, sobs and whimpers so strong no one had ever before thought possible.  

#I CANT BELIEVE IT #aaaaaaaaa #sacrifice for a lost cause #legend of korra #lok #avatar korra #avatar the last airbender #atla #fanfiction #jolivira #ninth chapter #last chapter #ITS OVER

[dustywings]

Tumble     {asami/korra}

          Available to read on ao3 and FF.N.

Characters: Asami, Korra. Rated: T. Set: Post Finale.

There is no eulogy.

   In fact, the burial is cold. Nobody has come to witness the loss of a traitor. Snow falls to the earth, covering the ground like a blanket. It turns cold quickly, their cheeks blush red, and it is horribly quiet. Nobody cries.

  Asami wants her father to be burned.

  Korra doesn’t know if it is merely tradition of the Fire Nation, or if Asami just can’t stand the sight of the man anymore. She has to erase him. Right down to the bone.

  Scorch him into ash.

  And once he is just that, small grains in her palm, she’ll throw him aside. Chuck whatever is left of his heart, and allow him to scatter.

  The coffin is taken away.

  Korra looks at Asami, hoping to witness some kind of an emotion. A response, at least. But Asami is awfully pale, and she hasn’t said a single word. It’s terrifying. It’s wrong. It’s difficult for Korra, because Asami has always been the one to offer guidance, to play the optimist, to be there with a smile, even when their world is dying.

  A small gathering occurs at the manor. Drinks and food are shared. Out of support for Asami, Mako and Bolin appear, alongside a few businessmen. Somehow, Asami manages. She doesn’t break. Not once. And Korra is by her side the whole while. It’s been a while since the Avatar has been on edge. She’s watching her, waiting––dreading––for the slightest tremor.

  But Asami discusses business; she discusses war, she discusses her father, and then she discusses work.

  Then the conversation comes to a dry standstill. Asami escorts them all to the door, thanks each one of them for attending the funeral––as if it’s an obligation, more than a choice––and, then, the two of them are finally left alone.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  It’s a stupid question, but Korra has no idea what to say.

  Asami turns to smile at her, and she’s perfect.

  Korra’s heart shatters into pieces.

  ‘I’m going to clean up.’

  But there’s nothing to clean up. Barely any glasses or plates were used.

  Asami just needs to be occupied.

  So, Korra gives her that space. She stands apart from her, and she’s silent. If Asami requires distance, then Korra will give her distance.

  A smash is heard from the other room.

  Glass has been spilt. Razor sharp across the floor. Blood drip drops from Asami’s clenched fist, and she’s shaking. Korra widens her eyes, and hurries over, grabbing for Asami’s hand. However, the young mechanic yanks her hand away.

  ‘I’m fine. Just––it was just a silly accident. Let me––’

  ‘You’re bleeding.’

  Korra reaches for Asami again, and is successful this time. She guides Asami to the tap, and pours water over the wound. Blood passes like a waterfall, and the damage becomes visible. A long cut across her palm. Stubbornly, blood continues to pour, and Korra grips onto Asami’s wrist tighter.

  You’re bleeding.

  ‘I’m okay. It was just an accident.’

  Korra can’t look away. There’s so much fucking blood.

  What if Asami had cut herself elsewhere? What if she had cut a ligament, or cut her neck? What if Korra wasn’t here, and Asami had bled to death?

  Korra turns off the tap. Asami breathes, and looks at her. She pulls her injured hand close, and it’s then Korra sees it all. There are tears dangerously lurking in her eyes, and she’s watching her almost terrified. But it’s not terror of Korra. Korra doesn’t scare her. It’s just

                               everything.

  It’s everything. It’s losing her mother, and then it’s losing her father and then, oh God––then it’s losing Korra. Then it’s losing Korra because one day, soon, she’ll be yanked from her embrace. Korra will no longer be hers. She’ll be dead, because her duty as the Avatar demands that.

  Korra grabs a bandage, and carefully begins to wrap it around Asami’s hand.

  ‘I’m sorry. I dropped the glass. I don’t know how I cut myself, but––I’m sorry, Korra. I’m being an idiot.’

  If Asami doesn’t stop beating herself up, Korra won’t be able to cope. She looks at her, and when tears roll off Asami’s cheeks, Korra forgets about the bandage. Her lungs squeeze, and she nearly gasps from the pain. Asami lowers her head, and roughly wipes away the tears.

  But it’s no use. They keep on coming. One tear after the next. She leaks with them.

  ‘Sorry,’ she whispers.

  ‘Don’t be. It’s okay.’ Korra caresses her cheek.

  ‘Please don’t die.’

  Korra stills. Many times, she has almost been next. Death has challenged her constantly, and it shall continue to do so.

  But no one––nobody in the world––has begged her not to die.

  Finally, Asami breaks, and Korra starts to drown.

  Asami cries quietly. But she cries. Her body is overwhelmed by the impact of her loss, and she just––breaks apart.

  Korra tries to speak, to say something comforting, but she’s been rendered speechless. The sight of this woman weeping is enough to drive any crazed woman mad.

  She kisses her.

  She kisses her, her hands cradling her face, and allowing each tear to drop. Asami’s hands rest on Korra’s shirt, and then she grasps for her, pulling her closer. For a brief second, they stop; they breathe, and hold each other––wait patiently for either of them to say something, anything, because something, anything, has to be said––but they’re utterly silent.

  Asami’s eyes are painfully apologetic. She settles her hands behind Korra’s neck, pushing her closer, until they’re finally together without any space to separate them. Korra rests her forehead against hers, breathing across Asami’s lips, her heart close to bursting. She’s kissed back in return, and Asami’s lips are soft, tender and so careful on her own, Korra could fall to her knees.

  The way she is handled is so loving. She’s wanted, needed, and Asami is desperate for her to be close.

  (‘I love you.’)

  Asami’s breath catches violently at the assault of too many emotions, too many sensations.

  She is loved. Almost instinctively, she expects an if or a but; a condition in order for Korra’s love to be ultimate. But nothing else is said. It is definite. For the first time, Asami is loved and that is simply that. Loved for no other other purpose than to be loved.

  Fresh tears trickle from her eyes, but when she draws Korra in to kiss her, there’s a faint smile on her lips. Something close to joy, to relief, to the thought of knowing she isn’t alone. And that Korra isn’t going anywhere. Never, ever––not without her.

  Korra reaches for Asami’s bandaged hand, and they intertwine their fingers. Their lips brush, and Korra is certain Asami can feel her heart race beneath her breast. All of her other senses are destroyed, consumed by the smell, the sight, the feel, the taste of the woman in her arms. They kiss again, guiding each other, touching each other, taking each other in so cautiously.

  ‘I love you,’ Asami’s voice is a mere whisper. Soft words spoken between kisses.

  She is hers. Completely.

  (She always has been.)

#korrasami #korra #asami sato #lok #writing #tumble #oneshot