All things change with time.

As a child, my grandfather, Shan We of the Fire Nation, told me the story of how he and his wife, my grandmother Takara, came to help Avatar Aang and his friends end the Great War. My great-grandfather, Zhao, had commanded him to hunt the newly-returned Avatar. Along the way, he met my grandmother, and through a harrowing adventure, he defected from the Fire Nation, giving up his home and status in order to bring peace to a ravaged world.

Together, with the help of his adopted sons, my uncles, Jin and Li, they helped to guide Avatar Aang and his friends, ultimately winning the war. Afterward, my grandfather remained with the Order of the White Lotus, a formerly secret society comprised of scholars from all the nations of the world who were dedicated to philosophy and beauty. After the war, they worked towards restoring balance and peace, and my grandparents undertook that task, facing every challenge together.

Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko worked together to change the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom into the United Republic of Nations, with the capital of Republic City, a place where Benders and non-Benders from all corners of the world could live in harmony.

At least, that was the idea.

As the years passed, my grandfather eventually came to lead the White Lotus as its Grandmaster. Shortly before Avatar Aang died decades after the war, he entrusted my grandfather to seek out and protect his successor and guide him or her to become a fully realized Avatar.

After some time had passed, word began to spread that a new Avatar had been born in the frozen lands of the Southern Water Tribe, which had been rebuilt after the war. My grandfather went to investigate, and here is where my tale begins…

Shan We, Grandmaster of the Order of the White Lotus, wrapped his cloak tightly around his body so as to ward off the cold. Waling beside him were two much younger members of the order, his companions on this trip. He could barely see what lay ahead due to the storm blowing across the icy tundra, but he kept pressing forward, knowing that the house they sought was only a few minutes in the direction they were walking.

"Grandmaster, do you think that the claims are true?" Xiang, one of his companions asked. "Has the next Avatar been born?"

Shan We smiled slightly. "Perhaps. The Northern Water Tribe yielded no leads; maybe the same thing will happen here".

"So, do you think that the same thing will happen here?"

"Destiny has an odd way of showing itself when one least expects it" the old man replied. He was speaking from experience, as his life during the last year of the Great War was proof of his words. Back then, he had been in his prime, but now, he was eighty four years old. His time had come and gone, and others would have to continue the work he and his beloved had started so many years ago.

Just then, the three members of the order saw a house materializing before them. As they approached, a man holding a lantern stepped outside to greet them. "The White Lotus has honoured my family by coming. Thank you" he said, bowing in respect.

Shan We bowed his head, and the man opened the door of his home, revealing a woman whom the old man figured was his wife sweeping away at the dusty floor. "Welcome" she greeted, bowing as well.

Stepping into the house and welcoming the comforting warmth, Shan We and his companions drew back their hoods. "We have investigated many claims, both here and in the Northern Tribe. All of them turned out to be false".

The husband came to stand beside his wife, wrapping an arm around her as she replied "Then you should be happy to know that your search has come to an end".

"What makes you so sure your daughter is the one?" Shan We asked, arching an eyebrow.

The wife smiled, as if anticipating something very interesting. "Korra!" she called. "Please come in here!" Suddenly, a chunk of wall shot past the old man and his companions, barely missing their faces by mere inches as their eyes widened in shock. An Earthbender in the Southern Water Tribe? That could only mean…

Turning to his left, the old man turned and saw a tiny little girl, her hair tied into a ponytail and her belly sticking out of her shirt. She struck a heroic pose as she declared in a squeaky voice "I'm the Avatar! You gotta deal with it!" She proceeded to slowly advance forward, displaying her abilities in Earthbending and Firebending, leaving no doubt in Shan We's mind that he had at last found the next Avatar. The tiny girl punched a miniscule flame at his direction, but he caught it in his hand, smothering it by closing his fist and smiling.

Thirteen years later…

Shan We stood, his hands clasped behind his back, as Korra undertook her final Firebending test. Beside him stood members of the White Lotus and Katara. She leaped into the air, knocking one of her opponents to the ground of the specialized arena with a fire blast before turning to face the other two. All four combatants wore crimson sparring gear, reflecting the element they were dealing with. The two men both shot flames at Korra, but she moved her hands in a circle, dispelling them.

Good, Shan We thought as he observed the proceedings, at least she remembers to employ the defensive aspects of Firebending.

The teenager's two opponents launched another volley of fire, which she managed to dodge. One of them proceeded to charge, leaping into the air as he kicked some more flames at her. She rolled beneath him, catching her foot on his and causing him to stumble and crash onto the ground. The three continued to fight for some time, and Korra displayed an affinity for Firebending that most people from the Fire Nation didn't display.

"She's strong" Katara noted as one of the two men was launched into the air by a fire blast, landing on the roof of the structure they stood in. Like Shan We, her hair had become as white as the snow around them, but age had done nothing to dampen her spirit.

The old man stroked one of his thick, white side burns. "She lacks restraint" he countered. While Korra was becoming a proficient Bender, her headstrong nature and zealous approach to fighting meant that she wasn't yet ready to shoulder the burden of being the Avatar. She was, in many ways, the complete opposite of Aang.

Korra's single remaining opponent charged her, shooting a billowing cloud of crimson flames as he did so. The teenager passed through it without injury, proceeding to leap into the air and kick two consecutive arcs of flame at him.

He was down in the blink of an eye.

Crying out victoriously, Korra walked over to Shan We and the others, but none of them were celebrating. "Wooho! Hey, why all the doom and gloom, people?" she asked, her demeanor unflappable as she took off her helmet. "We should be celebrating! Three elements down, one to go!"

"You are getting ahead of yourself, Korra" Shan We cautioned. "We haven't decided if you passed your Firebending test yet". The teenager quickly became crestfallen, prompting the old man to explain "Ever since you were a little girl, you've excelled at the physical side of Bending, but completely ignored the spiritual side. The Avatar must master both. Water is not just about fighting and freezing things; it is about adapting to unforeseen complications and learning to change with them. Earth is not just about throwing rocks around; it is about becoming hard and unyielding in your beliefs, never breaking in the face of adversity. And Fire is not just about incinerating your enemies; it is expressing one's will and accomplishing the tasks one sets out to complete".

"I haven't ignored it" Korra protested. "It just… doesn't come as easy to me. But that's why I should start training with Tenzin immediately. He's 'Mister Spiritual'".

Shan We crossed his arms over his chest, appraising the girl standing before him. "What about you, Katara?" he asked, turning to look at his old friend. "Do you believe that she is ready?"

"Yes" the Waterbender replied. "If anyone can teach her what she needs to learn, it's Tenzin".

The old man nodded in agreement. Turning back to look at the girl he had been instructing in the ways of Bending for all her life, he said "Very well, Korra. It's time for you to begin your Airbending training".

"Yes! Finally!" she exclaimed, jumping in the air in excitement. Shan We frowned down at her, and she quickly regained her composure. "I mean… ahem! Thank you all for believing in me". She bowed as properly as she could before calmly strolling away, nervously laughing before dashing off towards her pet polar bear dog, Naga. Shan We sighed; dealing with teenagers was one of life's greatest challenges, no matter what age one was.

The following morning, the old man stood beside Katara and Korra as the Bison flew over the compound, circling before coming in to land several feet away. As it came closer and closer, Shan We could hear a high-pitched and extremely hyper voice asking all sorts of questions. As he approached, he saw Tenzin, dressed in his Airbender robes, at the reins. He had brought his wife, Pema, and their three children: Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, who was currently gnawing on his father's bald, tattooed head.

"Yes, Ikki", Tenzin said, identifying which of his daughters had been asking the questions, "as I've been telling you for the last fifteen minutes, we are, finally, here". As he got down from his Bison's head, his daughters squealed in delight as they summoned air scooters which they used to ride down the animal's tail. "Hello, mother" he greeted, walking up to Katara. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. Please, help me".

The old woman proceeded to pluck Meelo from Tenzin's head, laughing as she brought him close. The tiny little boy struggled against her grip, crying out "Unhand me, strange woman!"

"That's your grandmother, Meelo" Tenzin reminded him.

The boy used his Airbending to nimbly escape from Katara's grip, landing on the ground and running over to his father as she said "It's so good to see all of you".

Shan We came to stand beside her as Jinora walked up and said "Gran Gran, Grandmaster Shan We, I've been reading all about your old adventures. I've been dying to ask you: what happened to Zuko's mom?"

Shan We and Katara exchanged amused glances. "Well, Jinora, it's an incredible tale" the old Waterbender told her granddaughter.

Just as the old Firebender opened his mouth to speak, however, the constantly-excited Ikki suddenly appeared. "Gran Gran, you look old! So do you, Grandmaster! How old are you? And why is it so cold in the South Pole? Can we make a campfire, and all huddle around it, and tell scary stories, and make snowmen?" Shan We stared down at the hyper child with his typical stoic demeanor, crossing his arms as she continued. "And then can you make the snowmen move with Waterbending and chase us? Wouldn't that be fuuun? Huh? Wouldn't it?"

Shan We looked over at Tenzin and said "I honestly pity you".

The Airbending Master snorted his agreement when his gaze was drawn by his pregnant wife trying to slide down the Bison's side. "Pema, let me help you" he said, rushing over to her side. "Careful now, careful".

"Stop doting on me" she told her husband. "I'm not helpless, I'm just pregnant!"

Shan We and Katara walked up to the couple, both embracing her in a hug. "Pema, it is so lovely to see you again" the old Firebender greeted warmly.

"The baby's strong" Katara said, placing a hand on her daughter-in-law's belly. "I see another Airbender in your future".

Pema looked decidedly unhappy with that prediction. "All I want is one child like me: a nice non-Bender who doesn't blast wind at my face every five seconds!"

"Your odds are not that great" Shan We told her. "Out of all my grandchildren, only one is a non-Bender. I would advise being prepared for another wind-blasting child".

"Mommy, look!" Meelo called. Shan We and the others turned to look at him, seeing that he was buried in snow. That was soon rectified, as he spun in a circle and used his Airbending to throw the snow away from him. "I'm a Snowbender!"

Pema maintained a deadpan expression as she turned to Katara and asked "Were Tenzin and his siblings this crazy when they were kids?"

"Kya and Bumi certainly were, but Tenzin has always been… rather serious".

"Mother… please" Tenzin begged.

"What about your children?" Pema asked, looking at Shan We. "With Earthbenders and Firebenders in the family, there weren't any wild children, were there?"

The old Firebender smiled, looking back over his children's lives. "Like Tenzin, Katsumoto was rather serious growing up. Jin and Li, on the other hand, had a mischievous streak about them. I blame that on Toph".

Just then, Aang's youngest child looked past the two elders. "Korra?" he asked. The teenager approached, and he said "Look at you: so big and strong. You've grown into quite the young Avatar".

"She still has a long way to go before she can properly claim that title" Shan We reminded them.

Korra ignored his words, smiling and saying "Master Tenzin, I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait to get started!"

"Yes, well…" Tenzin said, suddenly becoming apprehensive.

"You're going to have to tell her sooner or later" Pema said, causing Shan We and Katara to exchange questioning glances.

"Tell me what?" Korra asked, clearly confused.

"You're not staying, are you?" Katara surmised.

Tenzin sighed. "I'm afraid not. We're only visiting for the night. Then, I have to return to Republic City".

"But, you're supposed to move here" Korra said. She sounded heartbroken, and Shan We knew how important this was for her. "You're supposed to teach me".

"I'm sorry, Korra" he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Your Airbending training is going to have to wait".

"Perhaps this is a good thing" Shan We offered, stepping up beside her. "Now, you will have more time to master the other three elements". He tried to place a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged him off before walking away.

"Well, how long until you're ready to teach me Airbending?" Korra asked. Night had fallen some time ago, and they were all gathered inside one of the larger tents in the compound, eating dinner. "A week? A month?"

"It could be much longer" Tenzin replied.

"I don't understand. Why are you making me wait?"

"I have a responsibility to Republic City" he explained. "I'm one of its leaders, and the situation there is very unstable right now". Shan We sat across the table from Korra, silently eating his rice and listening to everything that was being said.

"But you also have a responsibility to teach me" Korra reminded him. "Believe me, I'd be happy to find another Airbending Master, but you're the only one. We're stuck with each other".

"I wish there were another way" Tenzin said.

"Wait! There is!" Shan We stopped what he was doing and narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his young charge. "If you can't stay here, then I'll go back to Republic City with you! It's perfect!"

"Absolutely not" Shan We cut in. "The city is far too dangerous. Avatar Aang tasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements, and I am not about to break my promise to him by letting you go gallivanting into the world when you are clearly not ready!"

"I get that, but I don't think keeping me locked up in this compound like a prisoner is what he had in mind".

"I know this is difficult to accept" Tenzin said. "But it's not the right time for you to come to the city".

"Whatever" Korra shrugged, proceeding to stand up and walk out. Shan We and Tenzin sighed, both men feeling a little drained from dealing with the headstrong teenager.

"I miss you so much" Shan We said, choking up a little as hot tears ran down his cheeks. He held a picture of his family in his hands, staring at it lovingly. It depicted him and Takara a few years after they had been married, with the former Kyoshi Warrior holding a baby in her arms while twelve year-old Jin and Li stood on either side. They were all smiling; they had been happy after the war, for many years, content to living lives of peace and comfort.

But Takara was gone. She had died many years ago, just like Li, and not a day went by when Shan We thought of them.

He brought the picture to his lips and kissed it tenderly before placing it back on the shelf along with the others. Family was the most important thing to him, and had been ever since he was a child. From now until his dying breath, he would always treasure family above all else.

The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon, and the old Firebender was preparing to resume Korra's training. Yesterday, Tenzin and his family had left, and he knew that the teenager was sullen at the postponement of her Airbending training. With any luck, Shan We hoped that she could use this experience to delve deeper into the more spiritual aspects of Bending. That would be ideal; Shan We wanted to keep the promise he had made to Aang before his death, and setting Korra on the proper path was how he would do that.

Suddenly, a member of the White Lotus knocked on his door before stepping into his room, knowing that the old man always awoke before sunrise. "Yes, what is it?" he asked, wiping the tears off of his face and taking a deep breath.

"Grandmaster, Avatar Korra is gone" the young man told him.

"She's what?" Shan We demanded, standing up as quickly as he could. Turning to look at the other man, he could see that he was telling the truth. "How did this happen?" he asked, walking out of his room at a brisk pace for someone of his advanced years and forcing the other man to follow. Soon enough, they stepped outside, and the old Firebender saw Katara standing alongside several more White Lotus members. Judging by the look on his old friend's face, it was clear as to what had happened. "Katara, what is the meaning of this?"

The old Waterbender calmly returned his stoic gaze. "Korra has left to fulfill her destiny as the Avatar" she said.

Shan We sighed in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose before returning his gaze to the old woman. "Katara, Aang asked us, asked ME, to find, train, and protect his successor. I cannot do that if she is not here".

"She is the Avatar, Shan We" Katara reminded him. "She has to go out into the world. How can she possibly expect to maintain balance in the world if she never actually sees it? Would you rather she remain here, kept hidden from the world, like Toph?"

Shan We glared at her. She knew how much he cared for the blind Earthbender, and how much his son cared for her. Even in old age, Katara was extremely difficult to deal with. Finally, after a long and tense moment, he replied "I will call my grandson in Republic City. He will collect her, and bring her back here".

"Don't worry, grandfather" I assured my father's father, leaning back in my chair as I talked into the telephone. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll find Korra and bring her back to you as soon as I can".

"Remember, she is to be brought back to the South Pole immediately; she is not ready to assume her duties as the Avatar, and she will likely do more harm than good out there".

"Judging by what you've told me, she won't be that hard to find" I said, glancing out the window. It was mid-day, and Republic City was bustling with activity as Metalbending Police airships slowly journeyed across the sky overhead. From where I was situated in my penthouse suite, I had a grand view of the city. "Once I find her, I'll bring her back myself. You have my word".

"Very well" my grandfather said. "Farewell, and good luck".

I then hung up, placing the telephone back on the desk in front of me. Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on the desk and interlocked my fingers, staring at the wall as I mulled over my grandfather's words. From what he had told me, Korra was as headstrong as a komodo rhino, and just as likely to wreak havoc on the city. After three years of living there, I had come to view Republic City as my home, more so than back in the Fire Nation, and the last thing I wanted was a delusional teenager to tear it apart looking for adventure.

After some thought, I picked up the telephone and dialed a number. After a few seconds, a female voice came through. "Republic City police".

"Yes, I'm calling to report a dangerous individual who's about to enter the city" I said, holding the speaker close to my mouth. "She's about seventeen years old, wearing Southern Water Tribe clothing, and she rides on a polar bear dog. I believe she may be entering through the harbour district".

"Can I have your name and—" I hung up, ending the call before she could finish. Placing the telephone back on the desk, I stood up, taking a moment to smooth out my elaborate royal robes. I stared a little to the left, at the full-length mirror, giving myself a once-over.

Green and blue eyes stared back at me, an inheritance from my grandmother and the most unique feature of my face. I ran a hand through my long, black hair, which ran past my shoulders and framed chiseled features with a square jaw, from which ran a triangular patch of facial hair. I had been told often that I greatly resembled my great-grandfather Ozai, and I could see the resemblance. He was one of the last of my family that I wanted to look like, but as I was born this way, I had no control over it.

"What was all that about?" a voice asked from nearby. I turned and saw Kara walking towards me. Her olive-coloured skin was glistening in the sunlight that filtered through the windows, and I guessed that she must have just gotten out of the shower. The only thing she wore was a towel that was wrapped around her fit, toned body, and she used a smaller one to dry her long, black hair as a pair of blue eyes met my gaze.

"Nothing" I replied, placing my hands on her arms and giving her a tender kiss. "Just taking care of some business".

"Is it serious?" she asked, tossing the towel she had been using on her hair onto a nearby couch.

I smiled, momentarily allowing myself to admire just how beautiful the woman before me was. "I think so, but don't worry: I just made some arrangements. Things should be settled soon". She smiled as well, and I kissed her once again. "I'll be back soon".

"Love you" she said, placing her hands on her hips as she watched me walk over to the door.

"Love you, too" I said, opening the door. Just outside, four Imperial Firebenders stood guard, two on either side of the door and two across from them. Their armour was mostly crimson, with golden shoulder pads and helmets that represented a Dragon motif. The helmets had been forged in the likeness of Dragon heads with the jaws wide open, revealing the face of the wearer. After the end of the Great War, my grandfather, Fire Lord Zuko, had implemented countless changes to Fire Nation culture; one such change was the armour of the Imperial Firebenders, making their faces visible as opposed to face-concealing in an effort to eliminate the ruthless ambition of the past.

The Imperial Firebender to my right, Chang, turned to look at me and said "Good morning, my Prince".

"Good morning" I said, returning the gesture. Even though my personal bodyguards were Firebenders, I respected them deeply, as I had grown up with them in the Royal Palace back in the Fire Nation. The only stipulation I imposed on their duties was that they use Firebending as little as possible, instead employing spears.

When my mother had insisted that I have an escort during my stay in Republic City, these four men and women had been the obvious choice. "I thought I would head out for some breakfast". Chang nodded, and he and his three comrades fell in step in front of and behind me as I made my way down the hall.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Your Highness" Tenzin said upon seeing me. My bodyguards and I walked through Police Headquarters towards the Airbending Master. As I predicted, my quiet breakfast had been interrupted by news of Korra's arrival. From what I'd heard, it was just as destructive and chaotic as I was expecting.

My grandfather, it seemed, was right about her.

"I just heard about Korra's arrest" I told the youngest son of Avatar Aang as we both made our way into the station in order to collect the rogue teenager. "My grandfather wants me to bring her back to the South Pole immediately. He doesn't think that she's ready to go out into the world".

"I think he may be right" Tenzin grumbled, and I smirked. Eventually, we approached a Metalbending officer who was standing in front of one of the interrogation rooms. "We're here for Avatar Korra" the Airbending Master told him.

He nodded, walking over to the wall and using his Metalbending to slide a panel open. The unique feature of Metalbending police stations was that, aside from the main entrance, there were rarely any doors, as Bending could do just fine while preventing any unwanted escapees from police custody. "Chief, Councilman Tenzin is here" the officer spoke into the room.

So, Lin's in there, I thought to myself. A resigned sigh, then "Let him in" came from inside.

"I'll wait out here" I told the bald man, who promptly stepped into the interrogation room.

From within, I could hear someone who I assumed was Korra say "Tenzin, sorry. I got a little sidetracked on my way to see you". I snorted; apparently, this Avatar thought that destruction of city property and assault was being "sidetracked".

"Lin, you are looking radiant as usual" the Airbender told the Chief of Police. From what I had been told in the past, the two of them had been in a relationship for some time before breaking things off.

"Cut the garbage, Tenzin" Lin said rather curtly, channeling her mother's snarky attitude. "Why is the Avatar in Republic City? I thought you were supposed to be moving down to the South Pole to train her".

"My relocation has been delayed" Tenzin explained. "The Avatar, on the other hand, will be heading back to the South Pole immediately where she will stay put".

"But—" Korra started to protest.

"If you would be so kind as to drop the charges against Korra, I will take full responsibility for today's regrettable events and cover all the damages". I shook my head in disgust; after destroying city property and assaulting police officers, this bull-headed teenager had a city Councilman covering for her. My opinion of the new Avatar was rapidly dropping, and I had never had cause to respect her in the slightest.

After a moment, Lin sighed and said "Fine. Get her out of my city".

"Always a pleasure, Lin" Tenzin said cordially. "Let's go, Korra". With that, the wall slid open, and the Airbender stepped out, followed by a Southern Water Tribe teenager dressed in blue clothing that left her arms bare, with her hair tied into a ponytail and a toned physique. I walked beside Tenzin as he and Korra made their way to the main entrance, the four Imperial Firebenders serving as silent guardians along the way.

"Tenzin, please, don't send me back home" Korra said, apparently not noticing me in her desperation to stay.

"You blatantly disobeyed my wishes and the orders of the White Lotus" he countered, his tone unyielding.

"Katara agreed with me that I should come. She said my destiny is in Republic City".

"Don't bring my mother into this!" Tenzin snapped, his face turning an angry shade of crimson.

"If your destiny is to demolish a city street and violently resist arrest, then I'd say you've accomplished it" I told the petulant youth standing before me.

She turned, finally noticing me as her brow furrowed in frustration. "Just who do you think you are?" she demanded, angrily poking a finger on my chest.

Chang was at my side in an instant, roughly grabbing her hand and wrenching it off of me. "No one touches Prince Zhang-Li!" he said, glaring down at the Avatar.

"Prince?" she asked, her confusion likely preventing her from doing anything so foolish as to attack my loyal bodyguard.

I gave her a humourless smile as I crossed my arms. "I believe you know my grandfather, Grandmaster Shan We. He called me and told me to collect you and bring you back to the South Pole. I intend on fulfilling my promise".

"Let's try and keep things from heating up" Tenzin offered, trying to play peacemaker. I nodded at Chang, who released his grip on Korra's hand as he took a few steps back.

The young Avatar stared at me for a moment before turning back to Tenzin. "Look, I can't wait any longer to finish my training".

"Clearly" I muttered under my breath.

After glaring up at me, she continued. "Being cooped up and hidden away from the world isn't helping me become a better Avatar".

"Neither is sneaking away in the middle of the night and rushing off to play hero when you clearly aren't meant to be". I was getting frustrated with this girl, and it took all of my training to keep it contained as I projected an image of stoic confidence.

"I saw a lot of the city today, and it's totally out of whack. I understand now why you need to stay: Republic City does need you, but it needs me too".

I chuckled derisively, looking down on her as I asked "So let me get this straight: a seventeen year-old girl, who is too headstrong and overeager to master the most basic tenets of Bending and follow simple instructions, and was foolish enough to start a fight with members of the Triple Threat Triad that caused a great deal of damage, is supposed to solve all of Republic City's problems? I must say, Korra, you have the wrong calling; you should be a comedian, not the Avatar". I glanced over at Tenzin, who had been stroking his beard this whole time in silent contemplation. "You aren't seriously considering this, are you?"

He looked at me, and then back to Korra. "You…" I raised my eyebrows, expecting him to make the right choice, when a noise drew our attention.

We turned and saw a police officer holding the reins to Korra's large pet. "Is this your polar bear dog, miss?" The giant, white-furred animal licked its large tongue across the man's face, making his hair stand up straight.

I turned to look back at Tenzin, who finally said "You should go home, Korra. We'll go back to Air Temple Island, and Prince Zhang-Li can escort you back to the South Pole". Korra became crestfallen, and with that, we started walking.

Tenzin, of course, ultimately decided against sending the Avatar back home. After the prodding of his three children, he told the teenager that he had done his best to maintain his father's legacy by leading Republic City down what he considered to be the proper path. Though I didn't say anything at the time, I heartily disagreed; the City Council was not leading the United Republic of Nations down the proper path.

He went on to say that Korra was Aang's legacy, and he allowed her to remain in the city and study Airbending under him.

I then found myself standing in my penthouse suite, staring out a window at the city I had come to call home. After a few moments, I walked over to the front door. Opening it, I saw Chang turning to look at me from where he stood. "I don't want to be disturbed for the next few hours" I told him. He nodded, and I knew he would follow my command unquestioningly. With that, I closed and locked the door before making my way over to a bookshelf. Dragging my fingers across several volumes, I stopped at a copy of A Study of Bending in Relation to Society. I pulled it, and a click sounded from behind the bookshelf.

Grabbing it by the side, I pulled it open like a door, revealing the hidden room behind it. Stepping inside, I closed the secret entrance, hearing the click of the locks re-engaging once it was closed. With that, I turned around and looked at the arsenal before me. On the far side of the room, over a mannequin, was a black suit of armour underneath black leather, the ultimate combination of protection, flexibility, and stealth.

I then disrobed, placing my royal robes on a table in the centre of the room, revealing my bulky, powerful physique. A full-length mirror to my right let me see the prodigious muscles that made me rather intimidating, along with the number of scars I had collected over the years. I then took the suit of armour and put it on, until I was dressed head-to-toe in black. Strapping the half mask over the bottom half of my face, leaving only my blue and green eyes uncovered, I drew the hood.

I then retrieved my twin swords from their mount to my left. Holding the familiar weapons in hand, I took a moment to examine them: their blades were as black as the armour I now wore, and consisted of straight edges that ended in points, while the blades emerged from bronze hilts that had been forged in the likeness of open Dragon maws, and red tassels tied to the pommels completed their unique look.

These swords had been my constant companions for most of my life; they were extensions of my own body, inseparable and unbreakable in their purpose. My grandmother, Takara, had forged them seventy years ago, while under the tutelage of Master Piandao, the greatest swordsman who had ever lived. How appropriate, then, that I should fight with them, having been instructed by Piandao also.

Placing the swords in their sheaths, which were slung across my back in an X, I walked over to the elevator. One of the reasons for my decision to live in this particular hotel was the fact that it contained an old service elevator that ran all the way down to the city's underground. No one else knew about it, and thus I had been using it for my personal use for some time now.

Stepping inside, I pressed the very bottom button, and I began my long descent. For several minutes I stood there, in the dark, no more than a grim spectre of death. Eventually, the elevator stopped once it reached the underground tunnel system that spread throughout the city. Stepping out into the tunnel, I started making my way towards my destination.

After some time, I heard the whine of an engine coming from somewhere ahead. I stopped, clasping my hands behind my back as a bright light emerged from the darkness. I squinted my eyes a little, but where others would have been hurt by the sudden appearance of a bright light in the midst of pitch blackness, I was hardly bothered.

The whine of an engine came closer and closer, until the light suddenly veered to the side as the motorcycle came to a halt. Its rider was dressed in a full body jumpsuit, and they wore a helmet that covered their face with a crimson circle on the forehead as well as green eye pieces. Without a word spoken, I mounted the back of the motorcycle, and the rider drove back in the direction they had come from.

After a few minutes, we emerged from a tunnel into a massive chamber that served as a crossroads of sorts, sitting dead centre in between all manner of tunnels. All around us were countless trucks and motorcycles, and similarly-garbed men and women to my driver were spread throughout the chamber, attending to a vehicle, manning the catwalks above, or standing around and speaking to one another.

My driver came to a stop in front of a set of double doors, and I proceeded to dismount. Stepping through the doors, I entered a large room lit by several lamps and containing several different people.

Most were dressed like my driver, but two were different: the first was dressed in a grey uniform with shoulder pads, while the top half of his face was covered by a skin-tight hood and his eyes were covered with green goggles, leaving his mouth uncovered. Catfish-like whiskers ran down either side of his mouth, and a pair of kali sticks connected to a small generator were tied to his back. I walked up to the man, and we both clasped forearms, placing a hand on each other's shoulders and nodding in respect.

I then turned to look at the second man, whose back was to me as his hands were clasped behind his back. He was dressed in a darker grey uniform with a drawn hood, and he wore leather vambraces as well as black boots. I clasped my own hands behind my back and said "Amon". The special filter built into my half mask changed my voice into a low, threatening growl, befitting my intimidating appearance.

He turned to look at me, and I saw his stylized mask, which was white, and had eyeholes, a slit for his mouth, and a crimson circle on the forehead. "Welcome, my friend" he greeted in his cool, carefully-modulated voice.

"There has been a development" I told him, stepping over to the radio sitting on a nearby table. Turning the dial, I got it on the proper frequency, and a voice started coming through.

"… Korra, your new Avatar" the teenager said. Right now, she was standing in front of City Hall, addressing a large crowd which had gathered to see her. Glancing to my left, I saw Amon and the Lieutenant exchanging surprised glances before returning their attention back to the radio. In response to her words, the crowd applauded, and I crossed my arms, scoffing at her apparent popularity.

Soon enough, the people of Republic City will see you for what you are, I thought to myself with grim satisfaction.

"Does this mean you've moved to Republic City?" a voice, probably belonging to a reporter, asked from the crowd.

"Were you trying to send a message to the Triads yesterday?" another one asked.

"Will you be fighting crime or the anti-Bending revolution or both?"

"Will you be working with Chief Beifong and the police?"

I knew that the young Avatar was barely holding up against the onslaught of reporters. As a member of the Fire Nation Royal Family in the new, modern age, I had gotten used to the tricks and harassments of people who tried to stick their noses in my business. The Southern Water Tribe girl, on the other hand, was not.

After a moment, Korra's unsure voice replied "Uh… yes, I am definitely here to stay, but honestly… I don't exactly have a plan yet… See, I'm still in training, but… Look, all I know is Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the centre of peace and balance in the world, and I believe we can make his dream a reality. I look forward to serving you! I'm so happy to be here! Thank you Republic City!"

With that, I turned off the radio, looking at Amon and the Lieutenant. "She arrived yesterday" I told them. "She picked a fight with members of the Triple Threat Triad and, after demolishing a city street, assaulted police officers as she resisted arrest. Councilman Tenzin has allowed her to stay so she can study Airbending".

"Amon, how do you want to handle this?" the Lieutenant asked.

"So, the Avatar has arrived early" our leader said as he turned back to look at a map of the city. "It looks like we'll have to accelerate our plans".

I nodded in agreement, knowing that the world was about to be shaken to its core.

I'm back, baby!

Man, writing this was even more fun than I was expecting! It feels so good to be back in my happy place, just like when I started writing Fire and Earth.

So, I'm going to do something different in regards to how I publish this story. With my previous works, I've kept to a regular schedule, but this time, I'm doing away with that. The reason for that is because the pressure to meet a deadline ultimately affects the integrity and quality of whatever I'm writing. Looking back at Fire and Earth and The Black Dragon, I see several things that I would have changed. So, this time, I'm going to post the chapters of this (and all future) fanfic(s)… IRREGULARLY! That's right: I'm going to publish a chapter whenever I feel like it. That way, I can maintain the integrity and quality of the story, while also allowing me time in between to work on my novel.

Now, to get into the gritty details: as I said back in "Takara's Master", that particular chapter had a ton of stuff that would serve as the groundwork for this story. Case in point: the twin meteor swords. Zhang-Li is the first member of his family to be a non-Bender, and thus his training in swordplay and hand-to-hand combat, which will be explored in-depth in this story.

Now, as to his name: he was named after his great-grandfather, Zhao, as a way to kind of "reclaim" it after the monumentally dishonourable actions of Shan We's father. He was also named after Li, who died in the years between the end of Fire and Earth and the beginning of this story. Again, that will be explored here, but at a later date.

So, when it comes to his outfit, I want you guys and gals to think of the League of Assassins outfit from Arrow, with the face piece and some armour bits from Katsumoto's armour in The Last Samurai. Links are being uncooperative here, but you can google them.

Also, the filter that changes his voice makes it much deeper and more threatening. I want you to think of Malcolm Merlyn's "Dark Archer" voice from season 1 of Arrow: watch?v=l7OvvVmXv1g

Zhang-Li will have really significant character arcs throughout each Book, along with the love interest I introduced here. Between here and the very end of Legend of Korra, he is going to go through some life-altering stuff. The arcs will be much more prominent and vivid than in Fire and Earth.

This story is going to be more AU than Fire and Earth. With Fire and Earth, I was dealing with a show that was, on the whole, freaking fantastic all the way through. With this story, I'm working with an awesome show that has several things that I would change. I'll be true to the stuff that happens in Legend of Korra conceptual-wise, but there are going to be numerous things that I will be changing in order to make the characters and events that much more epic.

I look forward to experiencing this story with you all! I invite you to review and favourite; let your voices be heard!