Chapter 10

….

Za led Korra down some kind of spiritual hill. Up a head was a table with several spirits. One looked like a humanoid plant. The other spirits were of a bird, a fox and a lion-monkey.

"Oh, hello, Za," the bird called out, and then looked at Korra. "Avatar Korra."

"Uh, hi." Korra smiled uneasily. "Yes, I'm the Avatar."

"Would you like something to eat?" the lion-monkey asked his voice nasal sounding.

"Uh…" Korra looked at Za.

"Pardon her hesitation," Za assured the spirit. "She fell victim to a trickster."

"Yeah, we heard about it." Bird nodded, blinking his left eye while his right eye stared sympathetically at the teenage Avatar.

Korra blushed.

"Don't worry Avatar," the plant spirit assured her. "This is spirit food. Apart from tasting good, it won't have any effect on you, good or bad."

"Okay." Korra sat down and picked up a flat cake. She hesitated for a moment but then took a bite out of it. "It's good."

"Yes, they are." the Fox spirit concurred, taking a sip from his cup.

Korra carefully ate her food, considering her surroundings. Za had been helpful and the other spirits seemed friendly. But she was still cautious.

"Your caution is understandable," the plant spirit commented sympathetically.

Korra's eyes widen.

"It's okay, Korra," Za told the Avatar, turning his long neck towards her. "You have every right to be suspicious. I would be concerned if you weren't."

"Thanks." Korra murmured as she attempted to relax. "So how do you know each other?"

"We've known each other for centuries," the bird spirit replied. "Once, all spirits knew each other. But like the material world, the balance of the Spirit World shifts, and spirits went their own ways and lost contact with each other."

"Sorry," Korra said sympathetically.

"It's alright," the Bird assured Korra. "We still have friends, as you can see."

Korra eyed the spirits thoughtfully. Her eyes then narrowed.

"You're thinking about your friends?" the plant spirit guessed.

Korra's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"It's kind of obvious. You should probably let them know you're alright."

"Right." Korra agreed but then remembered her manners. "Thank you for everything."

"We wish you well Avatar," Za replied solemnly, moving his snake body around like a fluttering ribbon.

Korra closed her eyes and focused. She found herself in the room. Everything looked so small, but then remembered that she was her normal size again.

She then noticed the simple garment she wore and scowled. "Ugh. I wish I had my clothes." She sighed. "Be grateful Korra. You're back to normal." She eyed her simple dress again. "Maybe Asami has something.

Material World

In the kitchen, Gommu was enjoying a good drink and snack. Asami had a simple cup of tea.

"Hey guys," a familiar voice called out.

Gommu and Asami turned in amazement and saw Korra coming toward them.

"Korra," Asami exclaimed in surprise.

"So you've finally awoken." Gommu commented.

"Well, you two don't seem very surprised," Korra commented.

"Well, we already knew you were big," Asami explained. "We just had to wait for you to awaken- or whatever it was."

"Yeah," Gommu agreed. "You were big and sleeping while you were sitting up."

"Oh," Korra conceded. "Well, that makes sense." She looked down at the simple gown she was wearing and then at Asami. "Do you have anything I can change into?"

"Oh yes," Asami assured her friend. "I have a few outfits you can change into."

"Great," Korra said in relief.

"So is it finally over?" Gommu asked curiously.

"Yeah, that pain in the neck spirit won't be a problem anymore," Korra assured the old vagrant.

"Good to hear it," Gommu gave a bow. "Anything else I can do for you?"

Korra smiled. "No, I'm fine. Visit Air Temple Island anytime."

"Great." Gommu grinned. "Well I'll be seeing you again. Bye!"

"Bye!" both girls called after him.

….

Korra had finished changing into a red long sleeved shirt, red pants and black shoes. She looked herself in the mirror. She touched her hair, which hung down her shoulders. "I'll fix it later."

She exited the changing room where Asami was waiting. "I guess I better to get to Air Temple Island," Korra commented wearily.

"I suggest you go to Mako first," Asami told her. "He's been worried about you."

Korra sighed. "Yeah, I guess I did blow him off."

"I'm sure he'll understand," Asami assured her. "This has been a very strange couple of days."

"No kidding."

…

At a warehouse Mako was doing a work shift. Then Korra and Asami entered.

"Korra!" Mako exclaimed in surprise. "You're huge."

"Hardly," Korra smirked. "I'm just my right size."

"Well… what I mean is… you look big to me."

"Yeah, well you look small to me, little man," Korra retorted with a teasing smile.

Mako blushed at the statement. "So everything's alright?"

"Yeah. Sorry for shoving you away it…" Korra hesitated, trying to find the words. "It was just so embarrassing."

"Yeah, I can imagine," Mako conceded. "So you got plans tonight?"

"Right now, I just want to go get back to Air Temple and relax," Korra confessed.

Mako considered that. "Would it be too much if you had company later today?"

Korra smiled. "Sounds fine."

Mako smiled back.

….

Reaching the temple, Korra entered the temple grounds.

"Korra!" several voices shouted.

Korra turned her head and smiled at the three young airbenders. "Hey, guys."

"Korra, you're a giant!" Meelo exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.

Korra smirked. "No, you're just a little man."

"Hey!" Meelo exclaimed indignantly, while his sisters giggle.

"You're so big to me, Korra." Ikki said, still amazed how Korra seemed to tower over her.

Korra smiled teasingly. "Well you're so small to me," She told the young girl.

Ikki looked perplexed. "I guess I do."

"Well it's great to have you back," Jinora said happily. "How did you do it?"

"I found connection with my Avatar Spirit," Korra told the teenage airbender. "I still have a ways to go, but everything's fine."

"Well, come inside." Jinora said cheerfully.

"Alright," Korra said as she and the others headed to the temple.

….

Pema and her children and Korra were getting the table ready. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"That's probably Mako." Korra went over to the door and opened it. Korra's eyes widened in surprise. "Gommu."

"Hey Korra." The old vagrant waved with a smile. "You said I could come over. Is now a bad time?"

"No," Korra assured him. "Come in."

"Thanks." Gommu grinned, entering the room.

Meelo, Jinora and Ikki ran into the room, looking at the visitor.

"Hi." Meelo smiled at the homeless man.

Ikki made a face. "Why do you look like you haven't showered?"

"Ikki!" Korra exclaimed while Meelo and Jinora stared at the girl in shock.

"Well, it happens when you don't have a home to live in," Gommu replied, unfazed by Ikki's inconsiderate question.

"Oh," Ikki murmured sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's not all bad. The park is public property; people throw away stuff that still has value. I have much to be thankful for."

Pema entered the room, eying the man. "Hi. You are?"

"Gommu, my lady," the homeless man told the female. "The Avatar said I could come anytime."

"True," Korra admitted. "He helped me when I was in trouble."

Pema smiled. "Well, you're welcome to our home."

"Good." Gommu grinned, looking around. "Nice place by the way."

Just then there was another knock at the door. "Oh my," Pema exclaimed. "How many guests did you invite, Korra?"

"Just Mako," Korra assured her.

Korra went to answer the door and her eyes widened again. There was Mako, but there was also Bolin and Asami. "Guys! What are you doing here?"

"Well you invited me," Mako reminded her frowning.

"And Mako invited us," Bolin added. "Great to see you big again, Korra."

"Thanks," Korra said, stroking one of her hair braids. "Well you're all welcome, too."

"Thanks," Asami said with a smile.

The trio entered the home. Pema's eyes widened. "I thought you said you only invited Mako."

"I did, and he invited Bolin and Asami," Korra answered, smiling awkwardly.

"Sorry," Mako apologized. "I didn't think it would be a problem."

"Oh, it's okay," Pema assured the teenager. "I just prefer to be told ahead of time."

Gommu came up to them. "Hi. It's been a while."

"Well, can you guys help me get dinner ready?" Pema asked the teenagers.

"Of course," Asami answered.

Bolin and Mako also agreed to help and headed to the kitchen. Before long, they had finished preparing.

Just then, Tenzin arrived. He frowned when he saw Bolin, Mako, Asami and Gommu. "What is going on?" He demanded. "I thought we were having one guest."

"Yeah," Korra answered sheepishly. "I invited Mako who invited Bolin and Asami."

"I didn't think it would be a problem," Mako said defensively.

"This is a good day," Bolin countered sternly. "Korra is back to normal. It's a good time to celebrate, right?"

"I'm sorry," Asami apologized. "I didn't think it would be a problem."

Tenzin sighed. "I suppose its fine." He then noticed Gommu. "And who are you exactly?"

"The name's Gommu," the old man answered. "I'm a friend of Korra. I tried to help Korra when she was small."

Korra cringed with embarrassment. "I told him he could come anytime he wanted."

Tenzin sighed. "I guess he is fine, too. But next time, please inform me that you're going to have guests over."

"I don't realize we have so many today," Korra argued.

"Okay, everyone, calm down," Pema interjected. "Just take a deep breath."

There was a hesitation. Then Korra and the others complied.

"Now let's have dinner and enjoy it," Pema told everyone.

"Very well," Tenzin relented.

"Works for me," Bolin said as the others expressed agreement simultaneously.

They all went to the dining room. "Well this place is nice," Gommu commented.

Everyone took a seat around the table. Tenzin gave a pray of thanks to the Spirits. Then they all begin to eat.

Gommu looked at Korra. "So, Korra, that enough food for you?"

Korra looked surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Well, now that you're normal, everything must look small to you," Gommu explained. "I was wondering if your meal seems small to you."

"I'm fine," Korra assured him. "Everything looks perfect. Now can we talk about something other than my size?"

"Oh," Bumi called out. "Did I ever tell about my assignment in the North?"

Everyone looked at Bumi.

"Tell us, Uncle Bumi!" Ikki said excitedly.

Tenzin sighed, weary of his brother's melodrama.

….

Korra went to her room. She sat cross-legged on the floor, closed her eyes and began to mediate.

She then found herself in the Spirit World again. She felt the energy around her. She saw a familiar shape moving towards her. It looked like a monkey, but there was intelligence in his eyes.

"Hello, Avatar," the Spirit said kindly. "What brings you here?"

"Seeing if I can still enter the Spirit World," Korra answered casually, though she stayed on alert. "So far, so good."

"You still have much to learn," the Spirit told Korra simply

"What?" Korra exclaimed. "Like what?"

"The ways of the spirits, keeping balance in our world- as well as the material world."

"Great, so where do I start?"

"My name is Barba. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to a place here that may be enlightening."

"Wait!" Korra exclaimed suddenly. "Last time a spirit offered to help me, I got shrunk."

The spirit called Barba smirked. "Good, you're learning. If you don't trust me, I suggest you explore and learn the way things are in my world."

"Sure, no problem," Korra said, looking around. She began to march.

….

The End

…

Author Note. Well that's the official wrap-up. I hope you liked the Aftermath and the characters.

I have doubts on some of the story, but decided to posted it as it is. I may one day remove this story and post a rewrite. Or maybe I won't.

Though I am disappointed with the results, the fic has a silver-lining, it's not awful like the Toy Story Black Friday Reel…which may or may not mean anything to you. If you get it, you get it. If not, you can ask questions.

Good bye and God bless