Prologue: A Dreadful Loss.

"I'm sorry I didn't have more time. You've been…incredible. I never thought I'd be here, surrounded by all my friends when the time came. Thank you all", Avatar Korra whispered with a smile. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she gazed into the eyes of all those that loved her. The pressure on her hand tightened as Asami fought back the tears, hand-in-hand with the woman she had grown to love.

"It's ok Korra, we're all here for you. You've been so strong, so brave. You've done what past Avatars have taken whole lifetimes to do. We are all so proud of you", Tenzin said, fighting to keep the sorrow from his voice. Leaning slightly against the wall, he silently berated the universe for what was happening.

Bolin and Mako stood further away, the two brothers supporting each other as they too fought with their emotions. It was not easy seeing their close friend so weak. The rest of the figures in the room struggled with the same dilemma; they needed to stay positive and not let their grief show. This was Korra's last moment. It needed to be happy after everything she'd been through. Chief Lin Beifong stood nearby, a tear rolling down her face for the first time in too long. Emotions had never been her strong point, as they hadn't been her mothers'. Life was just too damn unfair sometimes. It never gave the kid a break. She deserved a lot more than this after what she'd been through a few years prior.

Avatar Korra smiled at her friends. Lying here, on her deathbed, had never even been a thought until the illness had taken hold. Her very spirit had been destroyed, her desire to continue. Once the spirit illness had attacked, it had not taken long for Korra's body to simply give in. She knew she was not the first Avatar to bow out so simply; Aang had died peacefully from relative old age. Roku before him had perished whilst battling an active volcano, however. She wished it had been whilst making a difference but it was not a severe regret. Not anymore.

"Korra", whispered Asami delicately. "You've made the last two years the best ever. Ever since you stopped Kuvira and we went to the Spirit World…I just want you to know…that I…", she began, her voice breaking with emotion.

"I know, Asami. I feel the same", Korra replied weakly. "It was a tough time but….we made it. All of us."

The door to the room flung open and Korra's parents rushed inside. Tonraq and Senna rushed in and immediately fell to their knees at the side of the bed.

"Oh honey, we came as fast as we could as soon as Tenzin told us you were ill. You look…well", Senna lied with a sad smile.

Korra laughed weakly. "Yeah thanks. Need to look my best after this illness", she said sarcastically.

"I know Korra. But you'll always be beautiful to us. We love you so much honey", Senna said as she kissed Korra's forehead.

Tonraq quietly stroked his daughter's hair, simply gazing at her face with a terrible intensity. "Can't she fight this?" he turned and asked Tenzin angrily.

"By the time my mother saw to her, the illness had already done its work. She had only days", he replied quietly. The news would upset his children beyond belief. The Avatar would be reborn anew but the fiery, strong-headed girl that had uprooted their lives for so long would be gone.

"It's ok, Dad. Really. Aang had a shorter life than expected too", Korra said.

"Yes, but he didn't grow ill at only twenty-three years old! It's not fair! It's just not…", Tonraq shouted, before beginning to cry. He grabbed his daughter's hand and held it to his cheek.

The faint rays of sunlight began to creep over the horizon, lighting up the sky in hues of different colours. The nearby spirit portal remained constant, shining into the sky with a brilliant green and yellow light. Air Temple Island slowly began to wake from the long night.

"It's the sun. Look sweetie, it's the sun", Senna said gently.

The rays of light slowly crept across Korra's face, allowing a wide smile to flitter across it. The sun was indeed beautiful but the shape within it made her feel pure joy. Avatar Aang's spirit smiled as he stepped forward and held out a hand. "Hello Korra. It's time. The Spirit World awaits. You have nothing to fear any longer."

Korra's eyes wandered across the faces of all her friends and family for the final time. "Thank you. It sounds….perfect", she whispered, before sighing heavily and closing her eyes.

"Goodbye Korra. We shall be together through all of your lifetimes", a final voice whispered in her ear before she was carried away. Raava had left her, for the final time.

And far away, in the rebuilt Earth Empire city of Taku, a baby began to cry.