A/N: Well guys this is it the LAST CHAPTER!

Thank you to those who took the time to review! It really encouraged me to make the time to finish this story. Since this is the last time ever you will be able to review this story I hope you will take the time to do so and let me know what you loved or what I can improve on.

Thank you again to InsanelyHappy for reading this chapter over for me; she caught so many typos that I simply missed in my rush to try to get this story finished and out! Everyone should check out her stories too because they are awesome!

RECAP: If anyone cannot remember what has happened in this story (it has been awhile since I last updated!) I provided a recap last chapter at the beginning in my author's notes so take a look and then just give the last little bit of chapter 19 a quick read and you should be good to go.

Finally, I do not own the Legend of Korra!

Chapter 20: Avatar Korra

The grating sound of unused metal gears shrieked in protest as Sato's smaller, but newer, metal machines began to lurch forward from the elevator pad. The roar from the engines of the bi-planes now circling overheard added to the melee.

Korra stood frozen in place next to Tenzin, whom she was barely aware was shouting orders at nearby benders. Chief Beifong was also shouting orders. Her police officers were all either crouching, or pouncing, to either attack equalists on foot, or to prepare to attack Sato's various machines coming from the ground and air.

Korra turned slowly to survey her surroundings. Tenzin's children and Pema were slowly trying to move the more seriously wounded to the safety of a nearby alleyway. Katara was still rooted in place, her hands aglow as she tried to stop the blood pouring out of a wounded officer's mid-section.

Korra felt nauseous now and slowly placed her left hand to her stomach to try to calm the butterflies and feeling of dread that was growing in the pit of her stomach. She slowly turned to her left now, vaguely recognizing Bolin's voice in the melee of shouts. The young earth bender was shouting at other earth benders nearby, but Korra couldn't understand what he was saying. It was simply too loud. So many people were shouting and Sato's machines were so noisy, and Korra's brain felt sluggish suddenly, like there was simply too much going on to process and her brain could not keep up.

However, rather than things moving in slow motion, things seemed to be moving too quickly for her to process. Korra felt like she was the one moving in slow motion, while the rest of the world was going on all around her.

Korra was vaguely aware that Tenzin was leading her back towards the wall of a nearby building to provide them with at least a sense of cover and safety. Korra's feet stumbled as Tenzin's strong hands on her shoulders forced her to go in the direction he wanted her to. She wasn't quite sure how Tenzin managed to push her to his destination while managing to keep her upright at the same time, but he did.

"I need to get to my father," Asami snapped as she tried to push Mako away from her, but the fire bender refused to let go of his angry ex-girlfriend.

"Asami just diving in without a plan is stupid and you know it! Besides you wouldn't even make it 15 feet before some mecha-tank took you out, or some bi-plane shot you down!" Mako bellowed furiously, matching Asami's own anger level now.

"We do need to subdue Sato," Tenzin agreed firmly to try to calm everyone. "However, Mako is right. We need some sort of plan. As Mako has pointed out we will never reach Sato without one, and even if we do, he is an intelligent man with many new gadgets at his disposal, so we need to play things smart and safe."

Korra was aware of the trio beside her trying to formulate a plan to stop Sato, but at the same time her brain still seemed slow, like although it was processing the conversation it could not simultaneously allow her to think and speak to contribute the conversation. Korra knew she should feel frustrated with herself for this, but somehow she didn't. She was always the one to dive into a fight, but suddenly that didn't matter to her and she wasn't entirely sure why.

The leader of the first squad dodged a barrage of bullets that were raining down from a bi-plane above. Korra was sure the bullets must be making some sort of sound as they hit the pavement around the officers and she was aware that people must be screaming because she could see mouth's open as though they were screaming, but Korra couldn't hear any of it. Her brain still just felt sluggish.

"What we need is more help! Let's round up Chief Beifong, my brother-"

Asami cut Mako off mid-sentence, "uh in case you didn't notice they are all otherwise engaged at the moment!" The girl threw her arms open dramatically to indicate the fighting free-for-all currently unfolding before them.

Mako sighed loudly in frustration and ran a rough hand over his face to try to help clear his frazzled panic-stricken brain.

"Korra! Korra what's wrong?"

Mako's eyes snapped to Tenzin now who was trying to gain Korra's attention. Korra was still standing up on her own beside the tall air bending master, but her eyes looked glazed over, like she wasn't really taking anything in.

"Korra!" Asami shrieked as she dove forward, grabbing Korra by her shoulders. "Korra!" Asami shrieked again and began to shake her roughly.

"Calm down," Tenzin said calmly as he gently, but firmly pried Asami away from Korra. The girl seemed to be on the brink of snapping at any moment and Tenzin didn't want to be the one to unintentionally push her over the edge.

However, Korra didn't seem to notice Asami's outburst because she continued to stand slightly hunched, with half-lidded glassy eyes.

"Do you think Korra could be connecting with her past lives or something right now?" Mako asked Tenzin, as he stepped forward towards the pair. His eyes narrowed as he examined her, but he didn't touch her for fear that he might break whatever trance, or meditative state, she was currently in.

"I'm not sure. When my father would connect with the spirit world he would usually be in a seated meditative position. His eyes would be closed, or would glow, and his tattoos would usually glow indicating he had crossed over into the avatar state."

"Glow?" Mako asked.

"Yes, light-up, with this bright white light."

"Korra's connected with her past lives before, but she never looked like that, or glowed, or anything. Any time I saw Korra connecting with a past life she appeared to be asleep. She would be lying down and her eyes would be firmly shut," Mako explained. "I didn't realize connecting with her past lives meant Korra would enter the avatar state."

"Maybe she hasn't quite mastered that part of it yet. It could be that she has just made very superficial connections with her past lives, like if you or I happen to dream about a dead ancestor."

Mako nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure he understood what Tenzin was saying.

"Tell me more. You say Korra has connected with her past lives?" Tenzin asked.

"Yeah, after we left the Water Tribe we found a guru and he helped Korra open her chakras, and then after that we travelled to places that meant something to Korra's past lives. Before we left the Water Tribe Korra said she saw her past life as a water bender and then when we went to Kyoshi Island Korra connected with Avatar Kyoshi for a few minutes."

Tenzin nodded indicating Mako should continue.

"After that we went to Roku's island and Korra spoke with him briefly too. All of them gave her some advice. Well, kind of," Mako paused now, briefly.

"I mean, we couldn't really figure out what it all meant. They weren't really specific or anything. After that we headed back here in the hopes that Korra might have a chance of connecting with Avatar Aang. We figured Republic City was sort of his legacy and probably her best bet for connecting with him. Plus, after all the work she has put in these past few weeks, and all the emotional progress Korra made with unlocking her chakras we figured she just might be able to talk to Avatar Aang now. We know he knows how to restore Korra's bending. Her other lives told her as much."

Tenzin's brow was furrowed and he nodded as he took in all Mako was saying. Asami was worriedly twisting some of her knotted hair in her hands now. Mako swallowed worriedly. Asami was losing it and who could blame her. Her father was currently trying to kill all of them and what was more he was currently discussing his recent vacation with his new girlfriend, if that was what he could even call Korra.

Mako ran his hands through his hair and sighed wondering how things had gotten so messed up. 'What happened to the simple street kid trying to make it big by becoming a pro-bending champion?' he asked himself silently.

MEANWHILE

Korra could see Asami standing in front of her, a few feet away. Her face wore a wild frantic expression, but Korra did not feel frantic herself. She knew Asami's expression should have caused her to worry, but Korra did not feel worried. No, her stomach still felt queasy and that feeling of dread that sat in her gut like a rock was increasing, but worry was not something she felt at the moment.

These sickening feelings inside Korra were not causing her to feel anxious, or fearful. It was like she knew with every ounce of her being what was coming. Yes, what was coming was going to be awful. Well, to be fair, what was unfolding before her was awful, but she did not feel scared or apprehensive. No, she just felt sick and the rock just seemed to be growing. It was beginning to weigh her down. She knew that if this kept up her legs would not be able to support her weight, because the weight of the rock would be too much for her to bear and then she would collapse to the ground. Korra could hear the deep tones of Mako's voice now and she could see Tenzin nodding, but she was not sure what Mako was saying.

Frustration

Yes, she felt frustration, despite not feeling fearful or worried, she finally felt frustrated. She knew things were going on around her. She knew that people were fighting for their lives around her. They were speaking words that could be important, but Korra still felt slow and groggy and like her brain just was not processing things like it should.

Yes, Korra knew all this and she felt frustrated by all of this, but yet she was not concerned by all of this. She could process that much at least. Yes, she was not concerned and somewhere in the back of Korra's mind she knew she should be feeling concerned, upset, afraid, maybe even angry, but Korra felt none of this.

No.

That wasn't true.

In the back of her mind, the part of her mind that knew she should be feeling this, did feel all of these feelings. Yes, part of her did feel all of these earthly feelings, but she was letting them go…why would she be doing that?

Korra knew there was an important reason to let go of earthly attachments. She had learned this lesson recently…from someone…but her brain was slowing down again and Korra could not make the connection.

The rock was growing heavier and filling her insides with dread. The larger the rock grew the more Korra thought she was actually going to throw-up. She could feel her meagre lunch from hours ago working its way back up. There simply was not room for half-digested food, or for any of her body's internal fluids really, not with the rock growing and taking up space.

"So, what do we do? Do we try to snap Korra out of whatever state she may, or may not, be in, or do we try to get her somewhere safe and then try to get a team together to attack my father?" Asami finally asked.

"I don't know that we can wake Korra up. When she first collapsed on Kyoshi Island I couldn't wake her up. She seemed to just come out of it on her own, but she was only out for a few minutes at most. It probably felt longer than it really was because I was so worried."

"Yes, let's try to get Korra over to my family, with the other wounded, and then we'll try to get a team together to attack your father directly," Tenzin finally instructed the group. Asami and Mako nodded, obviously relieved to finally have a purpose to occupy themselves with.

Tenzin gently tried to coax Korra forward and found that her body moved obediently, so he led her around the outskirts of the battle while Mako and Asami tried to clear the way.

Korra was aware that Tenzin was moving her again. Her feet stumbled occasionally and they were moving slowly, but somehow Tenzin was pulling her along, even though Korra knew she must weigh a tonne (what with the rock continuing to grow in her stomach). She could feel her knees bending lower causing her to walk in a rather unnatural position.

Not far in front of them now was Katara. She was finished trying to heel the man's mid-section now, the one from before who had been bleeding pretty heavily. Instead Katara was helping a White Lotus elder carry an unconscious female officer whose leg looked badly bruised and broken.

"Is Korra okay?" Jinora asked running forward from the makeshift sickbay they had created in the semi-safety of a nearby dingy alley.

"Yes, I think so," Tenzin said kindly to his eldest daughter, trying to keep the worry, fear and exhaustion from his face and words. Jinora nodded as she took one of Korra's limp unoccupied hands and led her to the alley, though it was really Tenzin doing the heavy work of actually pulling Korra along. He had an arm wrapped around her back now since Korra seemed to be trapped in a semi-standing position.

No matter how Tenzin tried he couldn't get her muscles to relax enough so that he could carry her, and yet her muscles were also too tight and contorted to actually get her to stumble along as he had been doing before. Finally, with Jinora's help, the two had Korra leaning against a brick wall in the alley. They couldn't get her to sit, but the ground was so filthy with dirt, garbage and blood that Tenzin didn't really like the idea of trying to lay her down on the ground anyway.

"What's wrong with Korra?" Senna asked worriedly, as she left the side of another unconscious victim and hurried to her daughter. Senna placed her palm to her daughter's forehead and then ran it down her cheek cupping it.

"She doesn't feel warm," Senna finally offered. "Why are her eyes like that? Why doesn't she look…" Senna didn't finish her sentence unsure of how to describe her daughter's state with words.

"Let me see," croaked Katara. Although Katara had looked youthful and invigorated upon first entering the battlefield she now looked weary and every bit her advanced age.

MEANWHILE

Korra could feel her mother's cool hand on forehead and then on her check. Again she could not make out any words her mother was saying, but she could see her lips moving as though in slow motion, though the rest of the world around her was not moving slowly.

Korra suddenly had the urge to blink. The urge to blink suddenly consumed her. If she could just blink she was sure her brain would stop feeling so slow and foggy, but for some reason Korra could not make her eyes do the simple action she wanted them to do. Korra knew what she wanted to happen, but her eyes would not obey her command.

'How does one blink?' Korra thought to herself. It was not something she had ever had to consciously think about before. Somehow her brain just knew how to do the action and her body obeyed.

That nauseous feeling was beginning to consume Korra again. What little food was still inside her was still making its way closer and closer to the point of no return. That rock of dread was growing bigger and Korra was aware that her legs felt heavy now and were aching.

'Why can't I blink?!' She suddenly demanded of herself. She was angry now. She wasn't scared however. She wasn't worried that she would never be able to blink again, even though for whatever reason she seemed to have momentarily forgotten how to do the action.

"It's almost as if she's in the Avatar state, but without the…" Katara trailed off as she wiggled her fingers ominously. Ikki and Meelo laughed despite the situation.

Tenzin nodded knowing exactly what his mother meant. Korra seemed disconnected from her body, but she wasn't displaying the wisdom of her past lives. She wasn't glowing indicating that the collective power and knowledge of her past lives was coursing through her veins.

Katara ran a hand gently over Korra's eyelids to try to close them, but they didn't budge. They seemed to be stiffly in place in their half closed position, just as her weary leg muscles were locked in a half-standing position, though growing ever closer to the ground.

"Leave her here with me. She will be safe for now. The rest of you should focus on trying to stop this madness," Katara instructed.

Tenzin nodded turning his attention to Mako and Asami who were nearby trying to aid officers struggling with the new machines Sato had unleashed.

MEANWHILE

Korra could see Katara in front of her. She could see her mother standing off to the side apprehensively twisting her hands together as she always did when she was worried. Tenzin nodded and left the alley now.

'He must be following orders from Katara' Korra thought, because although she had seen Katara's lips move, it was still as though they were moving in slow motion and Korra just couldn't process it.

In the alley Korra was shielded from some of the chaos in the clearing and the noise from the machines and planes somehow seemed quieter here. She actually felt like if she tried hard enough now she could get her brain going again. If she could blink, she was sure she could understand what everyone around her was saying. She just had to do this one small task to jerk herself back to reality.

Now that it was quieter she was sure that if she just focused hard enough she could get herself going again, get herself synched back with everyone else. However, there was still that dreadful pit in her stomach, and that rock was growing ever bigger. Yes, the bile that was ever rising felt as though it were nearly at the back of throat now. That feeling made it hard to concentrate. In fact it made it impossible, and her legs; Oh, her legs felt terribly sore now! She only now just became aware of how sore they were, like they would snap if they had to continue holding her in the half bent/squat stance she now found herself in.

Her back was beginning to ache too from being hunched so unnaturally for such a long period of time. Korra wanted to either stand straight and stretch, or collapse on the ground in a heap. She wasn't sure which would be easier, both seemed like impossible tasks, because her brain just couldn't seem to get across the gap that was keeping her from processing things. It had to be because it was so pre-occupied with the sick feeling in her stomach.

MEANWHILE

"Mako see if you can get to your brother. Asami look around for any officers you recognize from your time with the police force. We need anyone who might be helpful in a small group assault on your father. I'm going to try to get to Lin so we can coordinate. If she can get others on the radio she might be able to help get us a clear path to Hiroshi so we can bring him to justice." Tenzin spoke his orders quickly before hurrying off in the direction he had last spotted Chief Beifong.

Mako nodded at Asami briefly before hurrying through the throng of equalists and officers. He glanced back worriedly towards Asami who was madly scanning the crowd for anyone she recognized from her time at Police HQ. Mako worried that she was coming undone. He feared that the stress of the situation was going to break her.

'What a terribly mixed up world we live in,' Mako thought to himself. 'A world where children have to take down their parents and friends have to fight friends, where non-bending police officers have to fight civilians gone rogue.' Mako shook his head in anger now.

These civilians were fighting for a messed-up cause, because Amon had them believing it was worth fighting for. So, many lives had been uprooted and torn apart because of Amon and his ridiculous revolution.

Mako knew that some families, some business owners, some good people, had all had their lives ruined by benders. Mako reflected on how many times he had seen benders from one gang, or another, strong-arm small business owners out of their hard earned money for "protection."

'How many families like Asami's, had been torn apart by some bender needlessly killing a beloved family member?' the fire bender wondered.

Mako's hands clenched into fists at his side; No matter how many terrible things benders had done, enslaved nations, or started wars, none of it justified what Amon had done. Amon had caused more needless fighting and war. Mako didn't know his history well, but he knew that many fire nation members who had been tantamount to keeping villages under the fire nation rule hadn't been benders. Many had been fire benders, but not all of them. These non-fire benders hadn't been frightened into doing Fire Lord Ozai's bidding, they had carried out his orders because it was what they wanted to do, because they had believed in his cause.

There were many times Mako had felt a little guilty about being a fire bender, especially in school, when he'd been able to attend that is. He used to feel really uncomfortable when they learned about the way things used to be before Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko had established Republic City. He still would sometimes feel uneasy about being a fire bender, but slowly he was coming to terms with that. No bender, or non-bender, was inherently evil or bad. Everyone made their own choices and benders didn't oppress the non-benders. Mako refused to believe that. Amon was crazy and Sato had to be stopped.

MEANWHILE

Korra could see both Ikki and Meelo waving hands in front of her face now. She wanted to smile, to tell them to bugger off because she was trying to concentrate on blinking, or sitting, or standing, or just plain moving at all, and they were distracting her, but she couldn't.

No.

Korra couldn't do anything, but continue to stay in her awkward half-standing hunched over position.

MEANWHILE

"Lin is going to try to get some metal benders to help clear us a path to Sato, and the White Lotus guard has just arrived so they will follow us over, trying to watch our backs while we focus our efforts on Sato. Our goal is to get him out of that machine he is in and subdue him. Lin says we can use as much force as is necessary, but we want to capture Sato. We want him alive. He needs to answer for his crimes in a court, like any other criminal. We cannot deal out vigilante justice, and besides killing Sato would not be just! He deserves to stand trial and be convicted by a jury of his peers." Tenzin glanced at Asami as he said this last part. He wasn't sure if the girl would actually kill her own father, but she was obviously in quite an emotional and fragile state at the moment and not thinking clearly, so who knew what she was capable of.

Asami's face hardened. Her lips formed a tight thin line and her brows furrowed, but she nodded in understanding, at least indicating Tenzin's words had registered with her. Mako and Bolin had grabbed two former metal benders who had been training Bolin back at the Police HQ. Asami had also managed to locate a couple of higher ranking officers she had recognized from various meetings she had attended over the last couple of weeks.

"I want Bolin leading the way with you two flanking him," Tenzin indicated the two older officers Asami had found.

"Asami and you two will be in the middle," Tenzin indicated the two former metal bending officers now, "while Mako and I take up the rear."

Everyone nodded getting into formation while they awaited the signal from Chief Beifong. Tenzin caught the eye of one the former metal benders nearest him. The man leaned towards Tenzin sensing the air bender had something to say to him in a more private setting.

"You and your friend need to keep an eye on Asami. She is more than capable of protecting herself, but I'm not sure what she'll do when we get face-to-face with her father. I'm not worried about her betraying us, but…." Tenzin trailed off.

The metal bender nodded in understanding, "we'll watch her. We got to know both her and Bolin quite a bit over the last couple of weeks. I completely understand," he whispered back to Tenzin. Tenzin nodded in relief and saw the man leaning towards his companion to fill him in now. Luckily Asami was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to even notice what was going on around her. He supposed she was mentally preparing for what they were about to do.

MEANWHILE

"Katara, why is she still just standing there like that?" Senna asked worriedly as she carried a new bucket of clean water over to Katara who, along with another White Lotus elder, were still healing wounded. The man they were currently working on had what looked to be a pretty severe head wound. Some water sloshed over the edge of the bucket as Senna set her heavy cargo down.

"She's fine Senna. You need to focus on those in more immediate danger of catching infection," Katara soothed gently. Senna nodded and returned to bandaging more wounded. Some were fresh off the battlefield, having been injured by bullets from the bi-planes circling above.

Senna wiped her brow as she glanced upwards. There were definitely less planes in the sky now. Many had been damaged by metal-benders with their hooks, but a few still eluded them. The sound of motorcycles roaring could still be heard in the distance, but Senna could only assume they were being kept at bay by some of the other squads who hadn't made it to this location yet.

Senna dabbed at a simple flesh wound on a woman's forehead. She had been grazed by some sort of weapon. Maybe one of those electrical sticks she had seen some of the equalists wielding, or maybe a stray bullet had grazed by her. In any case the wound wasn't serious, but because of its location was causing blood to blur her vision.

MEANWHILE

"There's the signal," Tenzin hissed. The group nodded and turned their attention to the path ahead of them. From above them metal benders began to attack. They swung through the air, their metal hooks digging into the sides of buildings. They were trying to draw some of the machines towards them to help clear a path for Tenzin and his team. Bolin shot some large boulders forward. He rolled them along the cobbled street, their rumble enough to scare nearby equalists out of the way. Mako shot a few small fire balls at any nearby equalists who looked like they were thinking of attacking the group.

Sato was still situated in a large metal machine on the centre of the elevator platform where the factory had only minutes before stood. However, the distance seemed impossible to cover and there were three of the newer mecha-tanks between the team and Sato, not to mention one of the older models too. Plus there were still two bi-planes above, but they likely wouldn't shoot the small crew because they were now engulfed in the masses and it would be too risky to shoot since the pilots would be as likely to shoot equalists as they would Tenzin, or one of his fellow benders.

A couple of chi-blockers bypassed a wall of water benders that had been forming behind where Tenzin's team had just passed. The chi-blockers easily flipped over the water benders and dodged their attacks.

"Asami," Mako hissed and the girl turned seeing the attackers approaching them from behind. She came around Tenzin and engaged the first of the chi-blockers in hand-to-hand combat. The limbs on the two were moving so quickly that Tenzin could hardly keep up as he stood at the ready to try to help Asami if need be. Asami seemed to be blocking most of the chi-blocker's attacks. Mako was now engaged in a battle with the second chi-blocker. Mako's male opponent was small and quick, and although he was masked Tenzin guessed Mako's opponent was young, because he was short and rather skinny.

Mako clumsily dodged the chi-blocker's attempts to temporarily impair his bending abilities, all while sending small bursts of flames from his limbs. Tenzin's eyes darted back to Asami, again looking for an opening, but not seeing one. Finally, Asami found an opening herself and struck at the Chi-blocker's thigh with a quick jab of her electrical glove. The chi-blocker crumbled to the ground in an unconscious heap. Tenzin's eyes darted back to Mako and his chi-blocker, and Tenzin saw an opening, so he sent a big burst of wind towards the chi-blocker and the boy was thrown backwards. One of the nearby water benders froze the boy in place before he could regain his footing and the group was off again.

However, the fighting around them had increased and it was slow going now as their pathway was narrowed. While they had stopped to fight the chi-blockers, equalists had been trying to make their way to the small group, obviously understanding that they were up to no good for them. Officers had most of the equalists engaged, but they were all so close. Bolin was trying to clear a path ahead, but there were police officers there too and he didn't want to accidentally injure any of their comrades.

MEANWHILE

Korra still felt super sick, and it was getting worse. The bile at the back of her throat stung. Korra actually wished she would just throw up. She would probably feel better. In any case it would give the rock in her stomach more room to grow and consume her with this feeling, this feeling of…

People were shouting all around Korra. She could not hear them, but her ears were filled with a deafening noise.

The noise of planes and gunfire.

Korra could feel three little bodies crushed against hers now. She could not look down, but she knew they were Tenzin's children. Korra saw her mother near the mouth of the alley. She was screaming as she covered two injured officers with her own body. Pemma was nearby covering her head, the supplies she had been carrying to Senna on the ground scattered around her now forgotten.

A fourth body was now pressed against Korra, this body was little too, but not like a child's. No, the person pressed against Korra was short and stubby. It was Katara trying to protect Korra and her grandchildren. She had created an icy barrier around them and before the barrier closed Korra could see the White Lotus Elder trying to create an icy barrier around himself and those near him who were injured, but before he could finish constructing his icy barricade a bullet struck him in his chest.

Korra knew she should feel frightened, should feel angry, but she still felt disconnected from all of these human earthly emotions.

Suddenly, things began to register for her though. Sato was firing on the injured! On the weak!

Korra knew this should have caused her to feel angry, but she just couldn't muster the feeling of anger. Korra could hear bullets striking the icy barricade that Katara had hastily constructed around them, but none made it through the barrier.

"Korra! Korra!"

Korra turned her head sideways, or at least she thought she was turning her head sideways, despite not being able to move the rest of her body. The voice was muffled, what with a layer of ice blocking her from the outside world, but she could hear again. She could make out the voice calling her name.

It was a man's voice. It was vaguely familiar.

Her father?

She felt relieved, he had not been shot.

The sound of gunfire had ceased now. Maybe the metal benders had stopped the last of the planes overhead.

"Korra!" The voice shouted again. The feeling of dread grew worse and Korra knew now that she was definitely going to be sick.

"Korra!"

Korra tried to focus on keeping her insides down where they belonged.

That voice, it wasn't her father's she finally decided. It wasn't rough and gruff enough to be her father's. But then who was calling her? And why did the voice sound familiar?

Was it her mother's?

No, the voice was too deep, and oddly too calm for the situation. Her mother's voice would have been higher pitched and frantic given the circumstances. The voice shouting was definitely male. The person shouting for her was demanding, but not frantic or frightened. In fact the person wasn't shouting for her, but rather at her.

MEANWHILE

"They're shooting on the make-shift medical camp in that alley!" shouted one of the officers by Bolin. The small assault group turned and sure enough the planes were shooting on the alley.

Tenzin's skin felt cold and for a moment the world seemed to stop. His family was there! Korra was there!

"Korra," Mako whispered, causing Tenzin to snap back to the present.

"We need to keep moving!" Asami shouted so that she could be heard over the mayhem.

"But Korra and the kids are there!" Bolin shouted, ready to turn back. His eyes were teary as he tried to stay calm. The two bending officers at his sides kept him at bay, however.

"I agree with Asami, we need to keep moving." One of the former metal benders said in agreement. The other former metal bender put a comforting hand on Bolin's shoulder to calm him.

"Yes, we need to keep moving," Tenzin finally choked out, as he blinked back tears as well. He knew his mother was a capable bender and that Pemma and Senna wouldn't let anything happen to their children. He had to believe they were okay. He had to believe that somewhere out there his father was watching over Korra and his family.

"Okay," Bolin finally agreed as he pushed the group forward with a new vigour. Knocking anything and everything out his way to get them to Sato before anyone else had to get hurt.

MEANWHILE

"Have the planes and motorcycles head back to the other base, they are making too much noise." Sato smirked now. "I want everyone gathered here to be able hear what I have to say," he murmured into the radio piece he had situated in his ear. A fellow equalist's voice crackled over the radio indicating he had received the order. Sato's eyes narrowed as he saw the small group of benders approaching. The tall brightly garbed man bringing up the rear was difficult to miss.

Tenzin.

One of those city councillors, what a joke. He had to be voted in because he was the only air bender. It was ridiculous that each bending regime had to have a bender on the council. Who represented the non-bender interests? No one! That was who. It was the reason he had to finish Amon's work.

Sure, Amon had turned out to be a bender himself and it sickened Sato to think he had worked so closely to a bender, but he believed in Amon's goals of ridding the world of benders. Amon might be gone and with him the equalists' abilities to take away a person's bending, but with his machines Sato was equalizing the playing field. Non-benders did not have to sit by in fear anymore taking orders from benders, they could actually fight back and even win and there were still the chi-blockers. They could temporarily impair a bender's abilities.

All Sato needed was Korra. This whole war would be over if he could show the world Amon had taken away Korra's bending. It would prove to benders that they weren't the almighty and powerful warriors they believed they were. It would tip the balance of the world in the favour of non-benders and maybe finally those non-benders who had been opposed to the equalists cause would see Amon was right, that the spirits were on their side! They had abandoned the Avatar. They had allowed Amon take her bending away, so it proved the equalists were the right side, that their cause was just and noble.

Sato's spies told him the Avatar could air bend, but his sources also said that she didn't seem to be able to do any other bending and Sato knew that before all of this Korra hadn't been able to air bend, so his theory that the spirits had forsaken the avatar could still work. He just had to make them believe, and he could do that. He was Hiroshi Sato after all, business tycoon. He could be very persuasive when he needed to be and this was one business deal he was going to close.

MEANWHILE

Tonraq dodged and shoved past equalists and police officers alike trying to get to the alleyway, where he knew his wife, Katara and Tenzin's family had congregated with many of the wounded. He was pretty sure he had seen Tenzin leading Korra in that direction moments ago too.

It was sick and wrong to attack the wounded! To attack those who could not fight back anymore! It was cowardly, and Tonraq would not stand for it. If any of those he cared about were hurt he would personally bowl his way through that thick crowd of fighters and pummel Hiroshi Sato to a pulp himself.

Tonraq saw his wife shakily sitting up. She had been shielding two injured officers with her body. She seemed uninjured though. He surged forward now.

"Are you alright?" he demanded as he fell onto his knees by her side.

"Y-yes," she stammered, still shaking. Tonraq turned, helping Pemma up who was shakily getting up from her lying position on the cobbled stone street. She too seemed uninjured.

"T-the children!" she cried.

Tonraq scanned the alley and his eyes finally fell on a hastily constructed icy umbrella. The umbrella turned to water drenching those who had been standing under it. Korra was pressed to the brick wall with Tenzin's three children clutching her body tightly and Katara had her arms wrapped around the entire group. She finally pulled away from the group to give the children room to breathe. The elderly woman wasn't shaking, but her face showed her exhaustion.

"We're okay," Katara finally wheezed, as she turned to others in the alley. Tonraq helped Pemma to her feet, and she scrambled to her children who ran forward to envelope her in a hug. Meelo and Ikki were crying now and even Jinora had silent tears rolling down her cheeks.

"What's wrong with Korra?" Tonraq asked hurrying over to his daughter.

"She seems to be in some sort of meditative state. She's been that way for some time now," Katara informed him.

MEANWHILE

Bolin jumped straight up into the air, not high, but he had gotten enough height so that when he landed, he landed with a small thud which loosened another chunk of the road in front of him. Then, with a sharp punch of his right arm, the rock shot forward taking out two equalists who had been fighting with a very exhausted earth bending police officer.

The officer nodded his head wearily in thanks. Bolin tipped his head back. They were still about 50 feet from Sato and their path was blocked by dozens of equalists who had converged and were forming a barrier between Sato and their little group, literally creating a human wall.

"Sato is such a coward," Boling hissed under his breath.

"What?" the officer to Bolin's left asked? The man turned his head briefly to glance at the boy.

"Nothing," Bolin said back louder, but that was when he became aware of something. The roar from the planes and motorcycles were gone now. He glanced up into the sky in confusion.

"Where did the planes go?" Mako asked, voicing Bolin's thoughts aloud. Their group had stopped now and all gave a quick look upwards.

"I don't like the look of this," one of the former metal benders who was standing next to Asami said.

"Me either," Asami muttered.

"Hey, it'll be okay," Bolin said as reached for Asami to comfort her, but he paused when his hand was inches from the girl's shoulder because there was a loud crackling, like someone was trying to find the right radio station.

"A radio?" one of the bending officers by Bolin asked, looking around.

"Do you see any speakers?" asked the other officer.

"Citizens of Republic City!" Sato's voice boomed.

The group glanced in the direction of Hiroshi Sato now. He was still seated in his giant metal machine, but the sound wasn't coming from the machine.

"He must have a piece he's speaking into in the machine and speakers attached to the nearby buildings," Asami said.

"Is this being broadcast all over Republic City?" Mako asked.

"I don't think so. It is more like he has a microphone that is projecting his voice to all of us, rather than device attached to the radio waves," Asami said.

"Republic City's finest are out here protecting its citizens," Sato sneered now, obviously being sarcastic.

Asami's hands clenched into fists at her side, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Bolin and the others in the group.

"Or rather oppressing its citizens with their disgusting unnatural bending!" Sato continued.

The fighting that had been going on around the factory now ceased as equalists looked adoringly on at their leader and members of the police force looked repulsed and angry.

"Yes, benders. It is time you realize that your reign of terror is over! Non-benders are fighting back and we won't stand for your oppression anymore! I have equalized the playing field!"

Many of the equalists began to cheer now. Their arms were pumping upwards into the air now.

"Your whole equalist movement is based on a lie Hiroshi!" Chief Beifong's loud booming voice now broke out across the square. She didn't have a microphone to project herself like Sato did, but she didn't need it. Lin knew how to command attention. She was standing on an earthen platform one of the earth bending officers had created for her so everyone could see her.

"Everyone knows Amon was a water bender! Many of his equalist followers can attest to that. You don't have to take my word for it. His most trusted lieutenant is currently sitting in one of Republic City's holding cells at Police HQ. He will tell you the same thing, that Amon was nothing but a liar! He was a water bender! He came from a long line of water benders! His father was one of the most notorious gang leaders in Republic City's underworld during its early days!" Beifong shouted.

"Yes, Yes! No one is denying that Amon was a water bender. But that doesn't mean his goal was wrong! He got this revolution moving and it is only fitting that a man like me sees it through to the end! A man who has lost so much to benders! First my wife, and then my daughter!" Sato moved the metal arm of the machine he was in to point in the direction where Asami stood.

"You didn't lose me to benders! I didn't join your revolution because it's insane! You've destroyed your company! Your reputation! This isn't the kind and caring father I grew up with!" Asami cried angrily. Her voice didn't carry like Chief Beifong's, but the square was eerily silent now so that most could hear her anyway.

"If it hadn't been for Avatar Aang Amon's father would have hurt hundreds more innocent people! And if not for Avatar Korra Amon-" Sato cut off Chief Beifong off now.

"Yes, Avatar Korra," he sneered now, "let's talk about her."

MEANWHILE

Everything was quiet now, except for that voice, that calm, yet demanding, male voice was still calling her name. The voice seemed familiar somehow, but Korra still couldn't place it. It still sounded muffled and farther away than before.

Korra felt certain she could figure out who the voice belonged to if she could just focus, but it was too hard to focus on the voice when her stomach felt ready to burst. The queasy feeling was growing worse, if that was even possible.

Korra was vaguely aware that her father was hugging her and she was sure he was murmuring something in her ear, because she could feel his breathe ticking the side of her face, but she couldn't actually hear his voice or the words he spoke.

Pemma was clutching her sobbing children and her own mother was shakily trying to get back to work bandaging the wounded near her. Katara was working on healing the White Lotus elder whose shoulder had been grazed by a bullet from the plane attack.

However, Katara was glancing in the direction of the factory now too. Something must have been happening over there, but it was so quiet, yet Korra couldn't tell what was happening.

Maybe someone had taken Sato down?

No, Korra didn't think that was what had happened that feeling of dread was still in the pit of her stomach.

MEANWHILE

"The spirits sanctioned Amon's cause! It was proven by his ability to take away a person's bending!" Sato shouted.

"Amon didn't take away anyone's bending! He used a combination of water and blood bending to merely block-" Beifong began, but her voice wasn't as strong now and Sato took the opportunity to cut the police chief off.

"Is that why you can't bend Chief? Because Amon didn't take away your bending? How about Avatar Korra's bending? Hmmm? My sources tell me she is unable to bend-" Now Mako cut off Sato.

"Korra can still bend! Whoever told you that vicious rumour is a liar and coward! Ask anyone on the police force, or your daughter! They can all attest to having seen Korra use bending here today!" Mako shouted, his face contorted in rage now.

"Yes, air bending!" Sato laughed now, a long sinister cackling laugh.

"What a sick joke the spirits have played! They allow Amon to take away Korra's bending, but leave her with her air bending skills, just so she can uncover Amon for the fraud he was. So, that a true equalist, like myself can finish the revolution he started! Korra's inability to use water, earth or fire bending proves the spirits have forsaken her! If you don't believe them then have the Avatar herself contradict me! Where is the Avatar?" shouted Sato.

Equalists began to murmur now and even some of the officers seemed caught off guard by Sato's words. They were all obviously wondering if what Sato said was true.

"Did Amon take the Avatar's bending away?" whispered one officer near Mako.

"I'd heard rumours, but I figured they were just equalist lies," another whispered.

Mako clenched his fists tightly. Bolin and Asami did the same. They couldn't believe people were doubting Korra, that they were actually willing to believe Sato.

Sato was a mad man!

"You are nothing but a vindictive lying-" Sato cut his daughter's tirade off.

"Let the Avatar come forward and contradict me then! If she still has her bending abilities then let her demonstrate her skills to us. From her time in the pro-bending arena we all know how much she likes to show off her skills, just like all oppressive benders!" Sato's demand was met with silence and then the murmuring in the crowd began again.

"Let her show us the spirits are on her side!" Sato bellowed and now the equalists began to cheer and chant mindless equalist propaganda.

"What do we do?" Mako asked turning his attention to Tenzin. "Should we just try and take Sato out?"

Tenzin glanced in the direction of the alley, but he couldn't see Korra or his family, there were too many people blocking his view.

"What if you guys keep distracting him with some stupid banter, while Bolin and I try to sneak up from behind," Asami suggested, her fists clenched. She was obviously looking for a fight.

"He'll notice the minute anyone from our group makes a move, he has equalists still watching us like hawks!" One of the former metal benders hissed between clenched teeth as he indicated some equalists on the rooftops nearby.

"So, what do we do then?" Mako demanded in an exasperated tone.

"Please father if there was ever a time I needed you now would be it. Please help Korra!" Tenzin begged as he glanced up at the sky.

"Okay, Tenzin has lost it," Bolin said straight-faced.

"Maybe not, maybe we should all try appealing to Avatar Aang. Korra and I were coming back to Republic City in the hopes that she would be able to connect with him because her connection with him should be strongest here since this place meant so much to him. Maybe if we all focus our energy on Avatar Aang we can help summon his presence here or something," Mako explained.

"And now my brother has lost it too," Bolin said as he slapped a hand to his forehead.

"Look I don't know, but we could use a miracle right now and it couldn't hurt to try. Maybe all of us sending positive thoughts about Avatar Aang out there will somehow help Korra connect with him!" Mako tried to explain to the skeptical group around him.

"You want us to send positive thoughts to Korra! In case you haven't noticed we are in the middle of a battle here! We don't have all day to just send positive thoughts to Korra! What the heck kind of vacation did you and Korra take anyway? And what did you drink or eat while you were on it because you are talking like a crazy person bro!"

"Bolin-" Mako began with a sigh.

"No, Mako, I love you, but as your brother it is my job to tell you when you're acting crazy and you-"

"Bolin," Asami said placing a gentle hand on the younger boy's broad shoulder. Asami closed her eyes now. She took a deep calming breath. Mako did the same.

"Oh, you too Asami?" Bolin demanded. "Fine!" he took a deep breath and closed his eyes as well. The other officers in their group gave each other nervous glances and fidgeted with their hands uncomfortably before following Asami's lead.

"I never met Avatar Aang, so how do I try to focus on him?" asked one of the former metal benders as he peeked at the group through one of his now half-closed eyes.

"Uh, just picture that giant statute of Aang," Bolin said, as if the answer had been obvious.

"Yes, just focus on the things you love about Republic City. Think of anything that makes you happy here. The positive energy will help clear the air and may help Korra in her spiritual quest," Tenzin instructed.

"Can our little group of positive thoughts really have that much of an impact?" asked one of the benders next to Bolin, a skeptical tone to his voice.

"That doesn't sound like positive thinking!" Bolin snapped.

"It couldn't hurt!" Asami retorted and the man looked sheepish as he closed his eyes again trying to think positively.

"Well Avatar Korra, why don't you show us your bending prowess?" Sato shouted again and the jeering of his equalists grew louder now. Many members of the police force now fidgeted uncomfortably, some looked over to Chief Beifong for orders, but even she seemed unsure of what to do, which was probably a first for the usually brash chief.

MEANWHILE

There was a whirling noise in Korra's ears now. It was drowning out the voice that was calling her name, that male voice that was so familiar.

The white noise grew louder, but jumbled voices flitted through her mind, she could almost make out what they were saying. Some of the voices forming the white noise were growing louder and she could make out what they were saying.

"You must actively shape your own destiny."

That was Avatar Kuruk's advice, Korra thought.

She felt her sore stiff legs growing weaker and she could feel her bodying lowering closer to the ground, despite the fact her father was holding her up. Korra couldn't actually feel him doing this, but she somehow knew he was.

"..bring balance to yourself…balance to the world."

The next voice was quieter and harder to make out of the group of voices, but she was sure it was some advice Gen had given her at the Eastern Air Temple. Korra's slow jumbled thoughts recalled her time with the guru in training. She had felt much more peaceful after his help, even if the exercises hadn't returned her bending to her.

Yes! Letting go of earthly attachments! That had been one of Gen's lessons when she was opening her chakras. It was that state that she felt like she was in right now. Letting go of everything so that she could connect with the spiritual! So that she could connect with Aang! That was why she and Mako had returned to Republic City! Korra could feel her mind beginning to clear a little now.

However, the white noise began to send a screeching sound into the very core of brain now, and a pain was forming behind the back of her eyes. Korra wanted to cover her ears, but she knew the noises and voices were in her head, not outside.

"Aang is part of you…." Another of Gen's words flitted to the surface of the noise.

'If I could just focus!' Korra snapped at herself furiously.

That sick feeling in her stomach grew even worse now and Korra felt like gagging, but her reflexes wouldn't obey what her mind knew needed to happen to give herself relief.

"Korra!" There was that calm demanding male voice again, faint, but it was still below the surface of the noise.

"Justice will bring peace!" Avatar Kyoshi's words echoed in Korra's mind.

The pain was still growing, along with the feeling of dread.

"Korra!" the male voice called again, it was getting louder.

"Be decisive!" rang Avatar Roku's strong, but elderly voice.

"Korra!"

'Ug,' Korra inwardly groaned. She felt as though she were choking now.

"Korra!"

'I need to snap out of this!' Korra thought, fear was finally creeping in, those earthly fears she had been keeping at bay were creeping in.

"Korra!"

She wanted to snap back to reality! She needed to! Something was wrong! Something was terribly wrong, she could feel it!

"Korra! Korra! KORRA!"

"Bleh!" Korra threw up now as she collapsed on the street. Her father was momentarily surprised at her rigid body going completely slack.

"Korra! Are you alright?" He demanded as he crouched by her side. He had somehow managed to avoid getting thrown-up on.

"Korra!" Senna said rushing to her daughter's side, leaving her patients momentarily.

Katara and the White Lotus elder glanced back at Korra in the alley.

"Korra," Pemma murmured worriedly as she continued to hug her distraught children to her. They were calmer now, but by no means ready to let go of their mother.

"The Avatar's silence proves my point. The spirits have forsaken her!" Sato's cruel words ended in a sinister laugh.

Korra gagged and then dry heaved, but there was nothing left inside of her to come out. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked towards where the factory used to stand.

"It's okay Korra-" her mother began, but stopped as Korra got to her feet. Korra's leg muscles protested since they had been in such an uncomfortable position for so long, but still she somehow managed to get to her feet.

"Don't worry about Sato, Chief Beifong will put a stop to him," her father soothed as he stood by Korra's side and ran his hand comfortingly up and down her back.

"It's my duty as the Avatar to stop Sato! He is throwing the world out of balance and it is my job to bring the world back into balance," Korra explained cryptically. She began to march out of the alley now.

"Katara!" Pemma begged her mother-in-law now. If anyone could talk sense into Korra it would be the elderly water bender.

"Korra's right. This is something she as the Avatar must fix."

Korra's parents followed her as far as the alley's mouth, but didn't leave its safety. They knew they had to let Korra do this on her own, no matter what happened, this was something she had to try to do on her own now.

As the nearby officers saw Korra they moved aside to clear a path for her. Equalists did the same, their chanting growing softer as more and more of them realized Korra was coming forward to face Sato.

Korra moved slowly, but confidently. Her posture was rigid and although she knew she was a little pale despite her dark coloring, she kept her eyes unwavering on her target.

Hiroshi Sato.

Korra understood what she had to do now. She had to take charge of her destiny as the Avatar. She could not sit back and let everyone tell her what she was supposed to do. Not the White Lotus, not Tenzin, not the books she had read about her past lives growing up. None of them could tell her what to do. She had to do what she felt was right. She had to find her own path as the Avatar. She had felt that way when she had first left home for Republic City and she knew that now more than ever her instincts had been right. Despite everything that she had found herself wrapped up in in Republic City Korra knew she had made the right choice to follow Tenzin to Republic City.

Korra also understood that in order to bring balance and peace back to Republic City she had to be just. She had to see to it that Hiroshi Sato was brought to justice. He was not some bender whose bending she could take away, like Aang had done with Fire Lord Ozai. He was a businessman, an industrialist, an entrepreneur. Aang had created a whole new system here in Republic City, one where the public could demand justice through the public court system. She had to see to it that Sato was tried fairly by a jury of his peers, by non-benders. It was the only way to end this this feud properly. To see things turn peaceful again.

Finally, Avatar Roku's words came to her. She had to be decisive. There was no turning back now. She had to be unwavering. Korra knew she had to take action. It was now or never and Korra had never felt less prepared in her life. She was armed with only her air bending skills and suddenly she felt very alone despite all of the people around her, but as she had just reminded herself. It was now or never. She had to bring this to an end, or she had to admit defeat and let the Avatar cycle begin anew. She had no doubt that if she failed now that that would be the outcome that awaited her, death. Sato would expose her as being forsaken by the spirits and then kill her. She would not be a martyr if he could prove the spirits did not endorse her.

Hiroshi's taunts that he had been throwing at her for the last few minutes came rushing back to Korra now. Even though she had not heard them at the time they finally all registered in her brain. Yes, if Hiroshi Sato outed her now as being a spiritual failure he could kill her without her becoming a martyr for the benders. There would be no reason for them to rally behind a silly girl who had failed as the Avatar that even the spirits had deserted. No, not even the non-benders whom supported her would rally behind her death.

It was now or never. Korra had to act and end this one way or another.

She stopped now. She was situated at one end of the large elevator platform that had once stood in the centre of the factory she and Tenzin had blown apart with their large tornado. Hiroshi Sato was at the other of the elevator platform in his shiny new mecha-tank. The area was deadly silent.

"Well Avatar Korra. Care to dazzle us with a display of your almighty bending?"

Bolin had both his hands in his mouth now, as though he were biting nails. Asami's hands were clenched together in prayer-like fashion to her chest. Tenzin and Mako tensed, as did nearly everyone else in the area.

Slowly Korra lifted her leg and then she sent a flat footed kick forward. A powerful burst of air surged forward and the metal of Sato's mecha-tank groaned, but the machine itself did not budge a centimeter from where it stood.

"Yes, yes," Sato's tone was dismissive now. "We have all seen your newly found air bending skills young avatar, but what about your other abilities? Water? Earth? Fire? Come on, I'm sure many of your pro-bending fans would love to see your water bending, like you used to do in the arena."

Korra made no move. She merely returned her leg to the ground and stood rooted in place.

"No? What about some fire bending to match that fiery temper of yours?"

Korra still did not move. Bolin now was visibly biting his nails. The scene would have been comical if anyone had bothered to look at the boy, but everyone's eyes were focused on Korra and Sato.

Korra took a deep breath now and closed her eyes. Her body more relaxed, but she still stood firmly in place.

"Well?" Sato bellowed impatiently. Everyone was on pins and needles now. Mako glanced at Tenzin for guidance. 'Should we interfere?' His eyes asked, but the older man was focused on Korra, and so Mako's silent question went unanswered.

Asami caught Mako's eye however, and she looked as concerned and lost as he did. Asami glanced back at Chief Beifong. She too was focused on Korra and her father.

Tonraq and Senna stood in the alley stiffly. Not sure what to do to help the situation. Pemma and the kids also stood in the alley, completely silent now, even their sniffling had subsided as they listened to the events before them unfold.

Korra still stood silently with her eyes closed.

MEANWHILE

"It was you calling my name back in the alley wasn't it?" Korra asked.

"Yes," Avatar Aang replied as he stood before Korra. They were still in the factory area, but there was no one around them anymore. The entire area was empty. Korra somehow knew she was in the spirit world and that her mind was just creating this familiar landscape for her and Avatar Aang to inhabit.

"Why now? Why can I talk to you now?" Korra asked. Aang smiled.

"Why didn't you come to me before? Before Amon took away my bending and things got so out of control?" Korra asked. She could feel tears welling behind her eyes, but she refused to cry. Korra wasn't a cry baby. However, she did feel a little betrayed by Aang.

'Why hadn't he made more of an effort to help?' Korra wondered. Aang was about as spiritual as they got, so why hadn't he bridged the gap and mentored her as he was supposed to do.

Aang smiled, "I tried Korra, but you are very independent and stubborn." He gave the girl a good natured smile. "Those are admirable qualities," he assured her. "When Tarrlok kidnapped you, you were at a low point, feeling like your life was spiraling out of your grasp. So, I was able to get through to you by showing you some of my memories of Yakone."

"And after all of that? After I lost my bending I was feeling pretty lonely then!"

"Yes, I probably could have come to you then if I had wanted to, but I did not try to reach out to you. I knew this was a good lesson for you, even if it was a hard one. Without the other elements you had no choice, but to finally focus on the spiritual aspect to being the Avatar."

Korra nodded glumly in understanding. "Kyoshi assured me you know how to restore my bending," she finally said.

Aang laughed, "Yes, I do."

MEANWHILE

"Mommy, what happens if Korra doesn't do what Mr. Sato asks?" Ikki asked.

"I don't know sweetie," Pemma replied quietly.

Senna shivered at Ikki's words and Tonraq clutched his wife's hand tighter in his own. He had never felt so powerless in all his life.

"Aang," Katara whispered.

Tonraq and Senna began to glance back at Katara, but suddenly a large burst of wind knocked them backwards, along with everyone else in the vicinity. Equalist and Republic City Police Officer alike were thrown back at least three feet from where they had once been standing. Everyone was now ungracefully sprawled on their back or butt.

Most recovered quickly, however, to see what had happened. Tonraq's eyes widened and he squeezed his wife's hand tightly again as he looked at where Korra had stood seconds before.

Korra was floating several feet off the ground now. Her eyes glowing!

"Hiroshi Sato!"

Mako, Bolin and Asami visibly winced as they heard Korra speak. Korra's voice sounded so strange. There was a hint of Korra's voice there, but there was also a frightening element to her voice. It was like all of her past lives were speaking through her at once.

"Amon and you have thrown Republic City out of balance with your misguided ideas regarding benders! I can no longer ignore your actions. I cannot let you continue forcing the world into this imbalance."

Sato laughed maniacally now, "Cannot let me continue?" he had a wild look in his eyes. Asami had seen that look before when he had attacked her at the base where he had had his bi-planes stationed.

"You must answer for your crimes!" Korra continued as though Sato had not even spoken.

"I think not!" Sato shouted. He now put his mecha-tank in motion and began to hurtle himself towards Korra.

"Attack!" Chief Beifong commanded, finally regaining her wits. Her officers began to surge forward, benders tensing to send attacks at Sato.

However, before anyone could attack they were all thrown backwards again, by an even more powerful wind than before. This wind was powerful enough that it sent Sato and his mecha-tank flying backwards. The gears in the wheels were smoking as they tried to push against the powerful force.

Korra landed on the ground now, her eyes still glowing dangerously. The mecha-tank's gears smoked, but slowly began to lurch the machine forward again, now that the wind had subsided. However, the machine did not get more than a few inches before Korra anchored it to the ground with earth bending. Korra began to walk slowly towards Sato.

Sato began to madly pull and push levers and buttons, but it was obvious that his machine was stuck. So, he chose to use some long range attacks instead. The mecha-tank's right arm rose upwards now and a net shot out of its palm towards Korra. Korra kicked a large boulder upwards and the net entangled itself around the rock instead.

Sato, not deterred, pressed another button and this time a metal hook that sizzled with electricity shot out of the right arm. Korra, unwavering, summoned water from pipes in the nearby buildings. The buildings cracked and groaned as the pipes burst at Korra's command and the water from them came forth. She used the water like a deadly icy whip and sliced the electrical claws heading towards her off their line. They fell lifelessly to the ground a few feet in front of Korra, completely harmless now.

Mako was on his feet again and he was staring in wonder. Korra's bending was currently stronger than the average water bender's. There was no way a regular water bender could have broken through that cable.

"How did she do that?" Bolin asked. He was on his feet now too.

"She is channelling the knowledge and skills of all of her past lives. She is at her most powerful. Sato does not stand a chance," Tenzin explained, his robes rustling as he stood.

Sato pushed more buttons, but Korra continued forward blocking and thwarting all of his attacks with her bending. Korra was only feet from the mecha-tank and Sato now. She used air bending to launch herself upwards toward the cockpit of the machine and then sent some well-placed fire bending at the glass of the cock-pit to free Sato. However, Sato still had his wits about him and he closed his eyes as he saw the approaching fire and the minute the fire shattered the glass he dove out of the cockpit and to the ground.

The older man hit the ground with a thud. He rolled to his feet quickly, adrenaline numbing his pain. However, Korra landed back on the ground again too and Sato did not get more than a few feet from her before she trapped him with combination of earth and water to keep him in place.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about! Benders oppressing non-benders!"

"It is over," Korra said calmly, her voice still frightening as it echoed with the voices of all of her past lives. Korra placed a hand expertly on Sato's face, her fingers spaced as Aang had showed her and her other hand gripped Sato's shoulder. Korra used her newly acquired energy bending skills to calm Sato, and in moments his angry tirade ended and his body went limp.

Korra's body also relaxed and her eyes closed. When she opened them again they were back to their usual blue.

Everyone was silent. Korra removed her earth and water shackles from Sato and he fell in a limp pile on the ground now.

"She's killed Sato! The Avatar has killed Sato!" An equalist shouted.

Murmurs of agreement began to roll through the crowd of equalists. Mako shifted uneasily and Bolin wrapped an arm around Asami's shoulders. Her eyes were wide. The poor girl seemed to be in shock.

"No! The Avatar has merely subdued Hiroshi Sato with energy bending!" Katara's voice boomed from her position in the alleyway. Surprisingly her voice carried considering how exhausted she was.

"Energy bending," more murmurs went through the crowd now from both equalists and police officers alike.

"Yes, Hiroshi Sato will be taken to police headquarters and made to answer to the people of Republic City for his crimes!" Chief Beifong shouted.

More whispers broke out now.

"What Amon and Hiroshi were advocating for was not equality! They wanted a war! They wanted to impose their beliefs on everybody and anybody! Just take Hiroshi's daughter, Asami. Asami was a non-bender whom Sato himself tried to silence permanently when she refused to join his cause. How was that making her more equal? The whole point isn't to make benders and non-benders equal! They are already equal! The world has a particular balance that needs to be maintained and it involves both benders and non-benders alike," Tenzin explained in a commanding voice.

Chief Beifong had made her way to Korra now. She removed a set of handcuffs from the belt at her waist and clipped them around Hiroshi Sato's wrists.

"Officers arrest the equalists for disorderly conduct!" Chief Beifong shouted, taking charge. "I suggest none of you consider resisting. Cooperation can only help you at your hearings!"

Some of the equalists did try to flee, and Korra was sure some got away, but many seemed defeated, with Sato captured there was no one to rally them anymore and they did not seem to know what to do with themselves.

Korra felt a hand on her shoulder turning her around now.

"Mako?" she asked in surprise, though she supposed she should not have been surprised.

"You connected with Aang?" he asked quietly.

"Yes."

Mako grinned and then pulled Korra to him tightly. His lips were pressed roughly to hers now. Korra's hands tightened around Mako and her right hand snaked its way to the back of his head to deepen the kiss.

Bolin, ever the master of perfect timing threw himself at the kissing couple and enveloped both in a big hug. Both Korra and Mako groaned in response.

"Korra, you got your bending back," Asami said from the sidelines.

"Yeah," Korra agreed, slightly embarrassed since she had just been kissing the girl's ex-boyfriend in front of her.

"Come on Asami, join the group hug!" Bolin commanded.

Asami laughed and shook her head, but did as she was told.

SOME TIME LATER

Korra finished brushing her dark hair and then just sat staring at her reflection in the mirror. She was in her room on Air Temple Island, and was now sitting silently, recalling the events of the past week.

After the mass roundup of all of the equalists from outside the factory a special court had been quickly convened to try to deal with the situation. The majority of the equalists who had been scooped up that day outside the factory area had received conditional sentences, meaning they were expected to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, and most had to complete various hours of community service. Some were also expected to attend anger management counselling. Others who had prior records had received some jail time in addition to counselling.

Most of those who had been identified as key pieces, or leaders, in the equalist revolution had yet to be tried and most remained in custody pending their trials. Some of these key equalists, like Amon's Lieutenant, had plead guilty, but had managed to cut a deal with prosecutors by ratting out fellow equalists, and in exchange they got their time in prison reduced.

Following the incident outside the factory Korra and her friends had assisted in rounding up equalists, and mere hours after that Korra, along with Chief Beifong and some other key Republic City officials, had held a press conference, explaining that Hiroshi Sato was in custody. After that Korra and her friends had received medical attention from Katara, though luckily none of them had had any severe wounds.

After that Korra and her friends had spent their days at the courts watching as equalist after equalist had received their sentence. Some equalists glared at Korra and her friends from their seats in the court room, others seemed to be in shock.

Korra was not sure what she was supposed to do now. Although the revolution was over for now there was still tension between benders and non-benders and Korra knew it would take work to try to repair the animosity Amon had fueled between the two groups.

"Want some help with your hair?" Korra's mother asked from the doorway of her room. Her parents would be leaving Republic City tomorrow morning with Katara, as would most of the members of the White Lotus.

"I just planned to put it up like I usually do."

Korra's mother smiled. "This is a special occasion, though, and please tell me you are not wearing those worn out pants of yours and-"

Korra quickly cut her mother off, "Okay okay, you win. You can fix my hair and you can even pick out some different clothes, but I warn you I don't really have anything fancy here."

"Precisely why I went out shopping with Katara and Pemma this afternoon," she replied and at hearing her name Katara entered the room carrying a large canvas bag over her shoulder.

Korra chuckled, "Thanks for inviting me."

"After everything that happened I figured you'd prefer to rest than go shopping."

Korra laughed again. Her mother knew her well. Katara smiled fondly at the pair.

"Don't take too long you two. Guests are already beginning to arrive," Katara advised. Korra glanced at the clock on her bedside table.

"Kind of early, aren't they?"

"Keep your head straight or your hair will end up off-centre," her mother chastised. Korra sighed, but obeyed.

LATER

"I want to thank all of you for being here tonight to help us celebrate the capture of Hiroshi Sato and the end of the equalist revolution. Obviously there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of making sure this revolution is truly over, but with Hiroshi Sato's capture we are confident that any equalist support still out there will dwindle," Chief Beifong informed the crowd that had gathered outside of the main house on Air Temple Island.

"I would also like you all to give Avatar Korra a big round of applause for her effort in stopping the equalists and bringing peace back to Republic City," Chief Beifong now indicated Korra who stood off to the side of the platform she stood on. Korra blushed a little in embarrassment and waved.

"Perhaps you'd like to say a few words?" Chief Beifong asked. Korra scratched the back of her head now, trying not to ruin the fancy hair style her mother had concocted on such short notice. She made her way to the centre of the platform and to the microphone that stood there. The cheers died down and with one final whistle from Bolin who stood in the front row, the crowd quieted.

"Well, I just wanted to thank all of you for supporting me these past few months, umm, in the pro-bending ring and outside of it." Korra fidgeted with the cord on the microphone now, as she noticed reporters were furiously writing on note-pads. Everyone was hanging on her every word. "Uh," Korra cleared her throat now. "I also have a surprise for Chief Beifong."

Lin raised an eyebrow at this from her standing position not far from Korra.

"Uh, this is just my way of saying thank you for everything you have done for me, Chief," Korra sounded a little nervous as she glanced over at Lin.

Chief Beifong still looked skeptical as Korra beckoned for her to come forward.

"If you'd just kneel in front of me," Korra instructed Lin. She was no longer speaking into the microphone.

"What are-"

"I'm going to restore your bending," Korra explained quietly. Chief Beifong's eyes widened, but she closed them as she did as Korra had instructed. Korra then placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder and the other on her face. Her fingers gently touched her temple and cheek, like Amon's had not long ago. Lin squeezed her eyes shut tightly now, not sure what to expect exactly.

Suddenly the crowd gasped as Korra's eyes began to glow, and then her hands as she performed her energy bending technique on the Police Chief. After a few moments the glowing subsided and Lin stood up. The crowd was silent. Lin gave Korra a sidelong glance and Korra nodded her head. So, Lin jumped and stomped her feet, lifting a boulder from the ground just in front of the crowd.

It took the crowd a moment to react, because they were momentarily stunned by what they were witnessing, but soon they were cheering and chanting Korra's name. Soon enough Tenzin got the crowd to quiet down.

"Korra will be happy to restore the bending of everyone who was affected by Amon. A city official will be releasing the details of when and where tomorrow morning," Tenzin informed the crowd. Tenzin then stepped back from the microphone to make way for the plump elder of the White Lotus, who seemed to be their unofficial spokesperson of late.

"Avatar Korra, we of the White Lotus order wanted to personally congratulate you on your accomplishments, not only from the past few days, but from over the years and it has been our honour and privilege to have gotten to know you and see you grow into the fully realized Avatar that you have become."

Korra stood in shock and then felt her jaw nearly drop as the White Lotus elder bowed to her. Soon the entire crowd, her friends, parents, Tenzin and even chief Beifong followed suit. Korra felt embarrassed, but also immensely proud of herself at the same time. After all, she didn't think she would ever impress those stiff's from the White Lotus.

LATER

"What are you doing out here all by yourself, Avatar Korra?"

Korra turned to glance behind her. Mako emerged from the bushes and took a seat on the grassy ground beside her. Korra smiled and entwined her hand in his. Mako smiled too as he gave her hand a little squeeze.

"Seriously, why are you out here?"

"I guess I just wanted to get away from the party for a bit. So many people are congratulating me, I figured I better take a break before my head got too big."

Mako chuckled, "Ya you've really impressed the White Lotus guys."

"Apparently. I mean, I never thought I'd see that day." Korra returned her gaze to the rippling water before her. She a good view of the statue of Avatar Aang.

"You know we were all sending you positive thoughts, back at the factory, when Sato was demanding you come out and face him," Mako finally offered in way of conversation.

"Oh?" Korra asked raising an eyebrow. Mako laughed and removed his hand from Korra's to scrub his face with both his hands.

"I don't know. I mean maybe it's silly, but I guess I was just wondering if you could feel it? All of our positive thoughts."

Korra smiled. "I don't know."

"It's silly-"

"No, it's not! I mean, after everything we went through with Gen and the chakras. I think your positive thoughts probably did help me. I mean they certainly couldn't have hurt."

"You think?" Mako asked, looking embarrassed now. Korra nodded smiling.

"I wanted to thank you, you know."

"For what?" Mako wore an incredulous look now.

"For helping me with my bending problem." Korra now brushed her hands over the grass next to her, not looking at Mako.

"I'm not sure I did much to help you," he began to protest.

"You supported me. You tried to stay positive for me, even when I was being kind of rude and mean to you. I just want you to know it meant a lot to me."

Korra finally looked up from the grass and her eyes met Mako's. Mako smirked and brushed some stray strands of hair out of Korra's face that had come loose in the light evening breeze.

"You're welcome," Mako whispered as he leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips to hers.

Korra blushed and smiled as he pulled away from her. A silence settled in between the two again, but it wasn't awkward, it was comfortable. It was nice, Korra decided after all of the chaos from the past couple of weeks.

"So, what are you going to do now that you're a fully realized Avatar?" Mako asked, his voice held a slightly mocking tone to it.

Korra groaned, "Please tell me you are not buying what those White Lotus guys are selling."

Mako laughed, "I'm serious. I mean you've mastered all four of the elements and you've mastered your spiritual side, so what else is there for you to do?"

"Well, for starters I'm not entirely sure I've mastered air bending and secondly, just because I've talked to a few of my past lives doesn't mean I've mastered the spiritual aspects to being the Avatar."

"Okay, Okay," Mako relented. "But my question still stands, what are you going to do now? Will you go home to the Southern Water Tribe?"

"I don't know," Korra replied honestly. She found herself playing with the grass around her again. "I guess I have to stick around here for a while, to restore peoples bending, and I wanted to see Hiroshi's trial."

"It could take a while before both sides are ready to go to trial," Mako warned.

"Yeah." Korra glanced up shyly at Mako now. "I guess I could help the fire ferrets again in the pro-bending ring next season. I mean we'll have to do some training in the mean time to get us ready for next season."

Mako grinned, "I mean the fire ferrets will have to vote on it, but you stand a good chance of getting voted back in." Korra gave Mako a shove now and he laughed as he threw his other arm out to steady himself.

"Of course the fire ferrets will take you back!" Bolin exclaimed as he emerged from the bushes, Asami slightly behind him.

"Some of the guests actually want a demonstration by the fire ferrets right now, so that's why I was looking for you two," Bolin explained. Mako stood and brushed the grass off of himself before extending a hand to Korra to help her up.

"Duty calls," Mako said to her. Korra nodded.

"You guys go on ahead, I wanted to talk to Korra for a minute," Asami said. The two bending brothers exchanged a confused look, but did as Asami said once Korra waved them on.

"What's up?" Korra asked once the boys seemed to be safely out of earshot.

"I just wanted to thank you for stopping my father."

"Your thanks really isn't necessary, Asami."

"But still," she choked out. Her eyes began filling with tears. The girl tried to blink them away by gazing up at the moon. Korra pretended not to notice, since Asami seemed to be trying to stay strong.

"Look, Asami, I don't think your father was really a bad person. I think Amon got to him, like he did with all the equalists. Your father with his money and genius just got pulled in farther than the others."

Asami nodded; unable to speak for fear her voice would betray her emotional state. The two stood in silence for a moment.

"Um, are we okay? I mean with the whole Mako thing?" Korra finally asked, as she fidgeted nervously.

The drastic change in conversation sobered Asami instantly, "Of course we're okay. Honestly Korra, it feels like it has been ages since Mako and I dated, what with everything that's happened."

"Ok, good. I didn't want things to be awkward. I mean we all make a pretty good team."

Asami nodded and then giggled.

"What?" Korra asked sensing the girl was holding something back.

"It's just…"

"Yes?" Korra asked leaning towards Asami expectantly.

"Promise not to say anything?" Asami asked. Korra nodded. "I think I kind of like Bolin."

Korra's mouth dropped open now, the news itself didn't surprise her, but the fact that Asami was confiding this to her certainly did.

"You can't tell him! I don't want things to get weird. I mean, I dated his brother and everything-"

"I don't think it would be weird at all!"

"I mean he is younger than me-" Asami continued to babble.

"I think you two would be great together!" Korra insisted as she grabbed Asami's hands up in her own, squeezing them tightly.

"I'm so happy for you!" Korra gushed in an unusually girly fashion.

Asami laughed, "I'm not marrying him Korra! I just said I kind of like him." Korra laughed now too. "We better get going, the fire ferrets have a demonstration to put on, and quite frankly Future Industries could use the good publicity right now."

"What?" Korra asked as the girls began to head back to the festivities.

"I know Future Industries has taken a pretty big beating in the media lately, but I hope you'll still let us sponsor you guys in the pro-bending tournament next year," Asami explained.

"Wait, what?" Korra asked confused.

"I'm taking over my father's company. What with him in jail and pending trial, everything's been left for me to take of. My dad never got around to taking me off the record as the successor to the company should anything happen to incapacitate him," Asami explained.

It took Korra a moment to wipe the shocked look off her face, "Of course you can still sponsor us!"

"Great!" Asami gushed and then in a very un-Asami like move she slapped Korra on the back.

SOME MONTHS LATER

"Man, that was a productive work-out," Mako declared as he and Korra exited the pro-bending arena, where he and Korra had been practicing. Bolin had had to miss their early morning practice since it conflicted with his metal bending training with some of the police officers he had made friends with during his honorary time serving with the Republic City Police Department.

"It really was," Korra agreed. "There's no way any of the other teams stand a chance against us!" Mako kissed the top of Korra's head in response and draped an arm lazily across the girl's shoulders.

"Want to grab some breakfast before heading to the courthouse to watch day three of Hiroshi's hearing?" Mako asked.

"Korra?" Mako asked when the girl didn't respond.

"Uh, breakfast, yeah that sounds great. I could use a good meal to keep me awake during the trial," she finally responded pulling her eyes away from the water.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah," Korra replied still sounding distracted. Mako gave her a firm look and Korra sighed, "I just thought I saw something, or sensed something out there," she indicated the calm water.

"Like what?"

"I don't know," Korra replied. Mako gave her another of his 'looks' and Korra laughed "Okay, maybe a spirit or something. I don't know exactly. I mean you know Tenzin has been helping me to enter the spirit world lately. I'm supposed to be their Avatar too you know."

Mako chuckled, "I know, I know."

Korra gave him an apologetic smile.

"Why don't you go check it out and I'll get us some food to go? We can eat on the way to the courthouse," Mako suggested.

"Sorry," Korra apologized as she kissed her boyfriend's cheek.

"Ya, ya duty calls," Mako replied.

THE END