The site was a bit screwy when I posted the last chapter, so make sure that you've read Chapter 3 (and reviewing :D) before reading this one.

Rating: T

Pairing(s): Makorra

Word Count:

Summary: Even with Amon unmasked an defeated, three elements mastered with air well on its way, and the ability to restore bending discovered, trouble is far from gone in Republic City, and Korra is bound to be right in the middle of it. As an almost fully realized Avatar, Korra must juggle her budding relationship with Mako and the duties of her destiny. Post Book 1.

.

.

.

.

Republic City: ?

"Sir?"

"Yes."

"The Avatar is arriving back in Republic City today."

"And you're sure this intelligence report is correct?"

"It came from the same source that gave us the codes to be able to listen in on the United Forces radio communications."

"…"

"Sir?"

"We start today. This level of forces will not be kept in Republic City much longer. We need to give the Avatar and her allies no rest. Alert the others that we start operations tonight. We need to overshadow her arrival."

"Yes sir!"

.

En Route to Republic City

Korra had never been more thankful than now that the journey by ship from the South Pole to Republic City was almost finished. She'd taken the journey twice before, and, as with this trip, monotony seemed to set in after the initial few hours' worth of excitement faded. Unlike her first trip, in which she stowed away down below, the group was accommodated in quarters close to the top.

While she was in no condition to enjoy it on the trip to the South Pole, the view from the top of the ship was truly fantastic. As a waterbender she always felt a strong affinity for the ocean and its seemingly limitless volume of water. It's power of presence washed over her like waves. She couldn't even really imagine what it would have been like to live the rest of her life.

Losing one's bending was like death. So what was it truly like to live in a world that viewed bending loss in such a manner as a non-bender? Korra really didn't understand, but she'd have to if she were going to help build the city up to its full potential.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Mako approached, moving to stand close behind her, his chest against her back.

"No," her eyes were trained on the horizon. "Just enjoying the view."

She felt his arms wrap around her midsection and she covered his hands in hers and leaned back into his embrace. Mako was solid. He was here for her and he was someone she didn't have to be the Avatar around; she could just be herself.

"I wanted to see Republic City emerge over the horizon," she admitted. "It's funny, I haven't spent much time there compared to all my training in the South Pole…but it has begun to feel like another home."

He nodded against her. "It's my only home. The place at the Pro-Bending Arena was our first place that was…ours."

"You'll probably be able to move back in once they finish all the repairs."

"I don't know…" uncertainty laced his voice. "Pro-Bending seems pretty insignificant after all the stuff we've been involved with lately."

"Maybe that's the best reason to do it."

"What do you mean?"

"Just to do something just for fun you know?" Korra turned around just enough in his arms so she could turn her head and look him in the eye. "All this Equalist business is over. You'll be able to focus on other things."

"Any suggestions?" he said playfully.

"I can think of a few…" she cocked an eyebrow.

"Mmmm," Mako leaned in and captured his lips in hers.

The wind from the open sea whipped up around them.

"Who knows," she whispered, "maybe once I get Tahno and the rest of the Wolfbat's bending restored we can get a fair rematch."

"Think you could just leave that sly jerk's bending wherever it went?" he half joked, his dislike for the arrogant waterbender barely concealed.

"I don't think so," she smiled, running her fingers through his hair just for fun.

"Does anyone have any idea how many people Amon took bending from?"

Korra winced, pulled from the momentary happy sanctuary where only she and Mako existed. "I don't know. I guess we'll have to find out somehow."

He seemed to sense the stress rising up within her, and began to run her shoulders sweetly. "That's not something you can worry about now. Look," he directed her attention to the horizon, "you can begin to see the city."

She looked up, and sure enough, the tips of the metropolis' tallest buildings peaking up over the sea. As the ship chugged closer and closer, they seemed to rise out of the sea; a sunken city resurfacing to face its fate. Fog slightly obscured the city leaving it hazily shrouded.

"It looks so peaceful from far away," she said, half to herself.

"It'll be peaceful close up soon enough."

"I hope so…"

She turned fully around in his arms, his golden eyes capturing her in their endless intricacy. She had an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach, and it wasn't a good one. This wasn't really anything worth mentioning; it was nothing to bother him with during this private, quiet moment (which they didn't get as often as she would have preferred). So she wanted to savor the moment and drink in the calm of it.

"Korra what are you-"

A single finger to his lips effectively quieted him. "Lets just enjoy this."

His brows furrowed, but he nodded. Concern flickered over his face and disappeared as soon as it appeared; she knew him and his details so well already.

"Korra!" Tenzin broke the silence. So much for a nice moment. "I'm sure you've noticed that we will be arriving soon. We need you below deck, ready to disembark. We are anticipating a large amount of media attention so you must prepare yourself. We have setup a mini press conference. People are insisting to see the Avatar."

"Of course," she called back before turning back to Mako. "I guess we have to go."

"Yeah, I guess we do."

Tenzin waited until the couple reached him before leading the way. "Do you know what you plan to tell the reporters?"

"The truth. That I have my bending back and that I can give bending back to those that lost it." Her jaw tightened with resolve, "They aren't going to be able to push me around like they did before."

"Also," the airbending master stopped to look her in the eye. "We received a transmission from General Iroh. Amon is dead."

"H-How?" She was truly at a loss for words. Here she was, profusely upset over him escaping when she was wrong?"

"Councilman Tarrlok's body was also found. I do not have the full details, but I imagine that once we fill the General in on the history between Amon and Tarrlok, the story will be concrete enough to withstand nay sayers."

The ship was a blur of activity as they readied themselves for the onslaught to come. It all served to remind Korra how different life was than the simple existence she had at the South Pole. Things were complicated, the truth often concealed, and duty over personal want.

Duty. Even the thought of the word alone weighed down her shoulders and tempted her to slouch under the strain. The expectations upon her were immense, and once she revealed her new control over the Avatar State to restore bending, the load would increase. She could almost hear a dark voice whisper in her ear on how she wouldn't be able to handle it, and that she was the poorest excuse for an Avatar. But she brushed these aside the squared her shoulders for what was to come.

A hand appeared on her shoulder. "Are you ready for this Korra?" Tenzin said.

"Readier than I've ever been."

He smiled with pride.

The door dropped slowly, the orange early-afternoon glow of Republic City creeping through the widening gap. As soon as the door dropped low enough that Korra could just make out the hats of the crowed waiting, a wave of camera flashes let loose like a tidal wave.

"Avatar Korra! Is it true that you are going into exile after-"

"Do you have any comment on the lack of public information regarding the specifics of Amon's death?"

"Are you and Mako of the Fire Ferrets romantically involved?"

She could barely make out once voice from another as she was corralled to the podium. The questions and flashes didn't stop as she took her place at the top.

"Can I talk now?" Korra didn't bother to hide her disdain from the reporters.

The group fell into a sort of silence; the dull roar of excited mumbling could easily be heard.

She was in control. This was her time, not theirs.

"I'm going to tell you the truth, and I'm going to tell it to you clearly. I will not be answering questions afterwards."

The practically captive audience had no way to refuse the terms of engagement.

Korra took a deep breath, gripping the edges of the podium tightly to quell the shaking in her hands. "Over my time at the South Pole, after connecting with the Spirit World, I have regained use of all four elements."

As soon as this statement sunk in, the crowd became frenzied.

"How did this happen?"

"Is there hope for those who also lost their bending?"

"What about a relationship between you and Bolin of the Fire Ferrets?"

"How does this development reflect on the lack of lasting impact of the Equalist movement?"

"Hey!" Korra yelled, a few flames jumping from her fingertips as she pointed to the crowd.

Even that small display of firebending assured the reporters of the truth of the Avatar's words.

"And yes," she continued, "I have the ability to restore the bending of others. I have already restored former Police Chief Lin Beifong's earthbending abilities," she ignored the gasps of the crowd, "and I intend to do the same for every bender that lost their abilities due to Amon. That is all."

She stepped away from the podium, the flurry of activity no longer of any concern to her. She was hustled into a waiting Satomoblie. Next stop, United Forces temporary headquarters.

.

.

Republic City: ?

"Sir, were you listening to the radio this afternoon?"

"Yes. And your point?"

"Don't you think this changes everything?"

"It changes absolutely nothing at all! If anything it means much more that we need to get out our message. Tell everyone to take his or her place in front of city hall as according to plan. The display will be even better now. I do love a good show. Oh yes…"

.

.

Republic City: United Forces Temporary Headquarters

"So how exactly was Amon found dead?" Korra leaned with both hands on the map table.

"We found the wreckage of the boat he escaped in here," General Iroh pointed on the map. "We found his body along with Councilman Tarrlok. The boat was destroyed by what appears to be a purposeful detonation of the fuel in the gas tank. Tarrlok was found with one of the Equalist electric gloves equipped."

Mako stepped up behind Korra, his arms crossed. "Are you saying that Tarrlok killed them both?"

"That seems to be the case," Iroh nodded.

"Well, he was never afraid to act," Lin added.

Korra wasn't exactly sure of what to think of this. Tarrlok was far from being in the plus column in her book, but he did seem truly sincere in his wish to stop his brother when they talked during his imprisonment. The idea that he would be willing to kill himself and his brother though seemed incredibly drastic but yet assured in intent.

"Sir?" an officer stepped in. "We have a situation."

"Details Captain," the General said.

"There seems to be a protest in front of the council building."

"That needs to be secured if the council is to reconvene tomorrow," Tenzin spoke up.

Lin turned to the General. "Well then, what are we waiting for?"

"This needs to be handled carefully," the airbender cautioned. "We must not create a situation in which these individuals feel threatened. That is what caused the feelings that brought the Equalist moment to power in the first place."

"Noted," Iroh scribbled a message on a piece of paper and handed it to the Captain. "As my forces are currently the law enforcement authorities, I will have squads move into the vicinity in the area. They will have orders to standby until I give a signal."

"Should we let Bolin and Asami know?" Mako grabbed Korra's arm. "Asami really wanted to check damage to the Sato Estate."

"No enough time," the Avatar shook her head. "We'll meet up with them after."

.

.

The group jumped out of the United Forces ground vehicles and pushed their way through the crowd towards the center. But as soon as people caught sight of Korra, they began to part on their own; whispering in curiosity of what the Avatar was going to do.

What she saw in front of the Council Building was utterly unbelievable.

About thirty or so individuals stood on the steps of the building with Amon-like masks. They were shoulder to shoulder dressed in very different clothing.

"You can't kill an idea Avatar!" the center masked figure stepped up, speaking into a microphone.

.

.

.

.

Tumblr: ObjectiveMistress

Here comes the action folks! Thank you all for sticking with me.

If you're on Tumblr, like it, reblog it, etc. I'd love to hear via message what you think.

If this is Fanfiction dot net, please leave a review! I love getting them and they truly brighten my day and push me to keep writing. No matter how short, every review is appreciated and replied to!