Please read this author's note.

Okay, a huge word on this before you get started. I really, really, want to see legend of Korra. This is probably not how it's going to go, like, at all, but I like my ideas and thought I would join the Korra fannon bandwagon share them with you to tide you over until Korra comes out. Now, I unoriginally called this Air because in the original Avatar series, the books were named after what element the Avatar sought to master, if you didn't notice, and Korra needs to master air, thus Air. Also, Mike and Brian said the original characters had some kind of connection with the Korra bunch, so I figured it would be cute if Katara was Korra's first waterbending teacher. I mean, come on, they're both from the Southern Water Tribe, they were bound to know each other somewhat. And I did the math...Katara may be an old granny, but Iroh was an old man and still able enough to be Zuko's firebending mentor...so there. The idea is totally fannon and cannon probably won't have it...but I still like it. Next order of business, Korra is seventeen. An Avatar is traditionally told of his identity at the age of sixteen, according to the original show. I don't know if Korra was told early...but she's seventeen and has already, according to what we know, mastered Earth, Water, and Fire. Water, okay, yeah, I get that. But it took Roku fifteen years to become a fully realized Avatar. So here's my reasoning for that, Aang learned the elements quickly because of the comet, thus proving it can be done. In my own little fantasy world, or "head-cannon" as I've heard it called, Korra is okay with being the Avatar and she wants to b a great one and she feels in Aang's shadow. But, since she figures the world is at peace and nothing is going to happen, so the only way she can make a name for herself is becoming a fully realized Avatar in record time. Another idea that is not likely for cannon, but still seemingly plausible. Just remember this is where my imagination is taking the show and nothing else. You don't like it, don't read it. If you like, review it to get more. So, I'm just doing twelve chapters for now. But I'll do more if you like.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or Legend of Korra.

Avatar: The Legend of Korra

Book One: Air

Chapter One: The United Republic

Water. Earth. Fire. Air.

Long ago, war ravaged the four nations, because of the ruthless Fire Nation. Then, the Avatar, master of all four elements, appeared and, with the aid of many friends, brought down the Firelord and restored peace to our world. Seventy years have passed and Avatar Aang has long since died. Yet peace still remains and I have been named the new Avatar. My goal is to master all for elements and the mysterious Avatar Sate and become a fully realized Avatar as soon as possible, in order to live up the reputation of my predecessors. My name is Korra and I will do whatever it takes to save the world.

Twelve years earlier...

"Are you sure, Master Katara?" Kamiah asked, folding her arms over her chest.

"I have been Korra's waterbending teacher since she could walk," the older woman smiled. "I always told you there was something about Korra that drew me to her." Katara looked out the window, seeing the little girl in question. She was busy playing around in the snow, trying to break in the polar bear-dog she had been given as a birthday present from her mother. Katara had to admit Korra's mannerisms were so different from her Aang's and she never would have guessed her strong affection for the little waterbender would be for the reason that had just been uncovered. "It all makes sense to me now. They will tell Korra when she turns sixteen, or at least that's what's traditional. I wanted you to know, because...it's time I joined my friends."

"Master Katara?" Kamiah asked.

The old woman sighed, turning her gaze away from the window. "Kamiah, I am an old woman," Katara sighed. "All of my friends have died before me, all so young. And, now...it is time I succumbed to their fate. I wanted you to know of Korra's identity before I passed on."

"Your children..."

"Will miss me for a time, like they missed their father..." Katara sighed, resting a hand on her betrothal necklace. "But they all have families of their own now. They will be alright, time will heal the wound quickly." She placed her hands on top of Kamiah's.

"And Korra?" the girl's mother asked. "How is she to finish her waterbending training?"

"My eldest is a fine waterbender," Katara assured. "And my youngest, Tenzin, a skilled airbender, when the time comes. I have to go, now. I wish you the best of luck. With the Avatar in your family," a small smirk played on her face, "you will need it."

Present day...

"Mom? Mom?" I gently squeezed my mother's shoulder. I could see the memory building up behind her eyes, the one that always did when I had to go away to learn an element. She had told me the story the first time I had to leave, the tale of when Master Katara, my first waterbending teacher, told her I was the Avatar.

"Oh, Korra," Mother shook her head. "I'm so sorry. It's just...you know you don't have to do this."

"Of course I do, Mom," I said, trying to be patient for her sake, though it was completely against my nature. She was an extremely fragile person and, no matter how annoying that got, was still my mother. "Besides, I have learned every other element quickly enough! I will learn air in no time and then I'll come back here for awhile before I work on mastering the Avatar state. Mom, you knew this day was coming."

"We didn't expect it so soon, Korra," Dad said. "We really should talk about this. Don't you think you're rushing into-."

"Gotta go train, Dad," I said, abruptly, shooting up out of my chair. I planted a quick kiss on his cheek before darting out of my home, ignoring his yell of, "Korra, come back!"

I would get the lecture of a lifetime when I got back, but I wasn't going to let either of my parents change my mind about learning airbending. Yes, I could have done better at telling them. "Mom, Dad, I'm leaving for the republic city tomorrow to learn airbending from Tenzin" , in retrospect, wasn't the best approach. But I had to do this. I was on my way to becoming a fully realized Avatar, faster than any of my past lives had done it. Every Avatar was distinguished by something and in a world of peace, being the fastest fully realized one was my only hope of making a name for myself other than, "That one Water Tribe Avatar after the Great and Wonderful and Perfect Avatar Aang." Okay...so I'm paraphrasing a bit, but still.

I saddled Naga, my pet polar-bear dog, and hopped on, heeling her into a gallop. Just like that, we were en route to my favorite spot for training. It was close enough outside so that the tribe was still in view, but far enough away any "bending blunders", as some of the sarcastic warriors called them, wouldn't, say, burn down seventy-five percent of the village.

...I mean, not that I'd ever done that.

When we arrived at our destination, I tied Naga up and got my firebending gear out of her saddlebag. It was a gift from my firebending master, the nephew of the Firelord himself, and I always wore it when I trained. "Let's go," I muttered, ready to work my butt off.

Fire was my natural opposite, being born into the Water Tribe, but that only made me push myself to work harder at it. I forced it to become my go-to element in combat and practiced it twice as much as the other elements. Plus, it was always an advantage in the blistering cold polar weather.

After all the work I'd done on firebending, it had become more like escapism than a martial art to me. My firebending master had drilled the "fire is life" into me time and time again, but I knew most firebenders used rage, aggression, frustration. The best way for me to take out my anger had become punching and kicking fireballs at innocent ice formation.

After several hours, my muscles felt like they were the victim of my fire, the sun had just started to set, and my stomach was growling senselessly. "Come on, Naga," I panted, sliding my gear off and my heavy overcoat back on. I drove my hand across my brow, wiping the sweat that only a firebender could have in weather this cold, and heaved myself into my companion's saddle, heading back for the village.

As I tied Naga at her usual spot by my front door, the smell of my mother's cooking wafting towards me. "Meat," I said, my mouth threatening to betray me and release a puddle of drool. I tried not to run into the house, knowing I was going to get it when I got inside.

"I figured you would appreciate it," was all Mom said when I walked inside.

Oh, that's right, I thought, dejectedly, falling into my chair. Tenzin, his siblings, wife, and children were all vegetarian. I'd nearly forgotten.

"Young lady," Dad said, helping Mom carry the food over to our table. "We still need to have a serious talk."

"Dad, I'm the Avatar," I said, before he could insist anything. "I have to do this. I've already bought the ticket for the ferry to the republic city and arranged to stay with Tenzin once I get there. It's all set..."

"Korra, you went behind our backs and made arrangements to travel to the United Republic without our consent. Avatar or not, you are still my daughter. You're seventeen years old."

"Yes, I'm seventeen years old," I said. "I'm not a child and I'm old enough to make my own decisions. I'm going to the republic city to learn airbending from Tenzin."

"What I don't understand," Mom shook her head. "Is why Tenzin would let you go behind our backs like this...it doesn't sound like the Tenzin I've heard much about."

My eyes grew wide and I stared at my bowl, shoving as much meat into my mouth as I could.

"Korra..." Father said, in that same tone we would have if I, metaphorically speaking, had just burned the village. "Is Tenzin under the impression that we approve of this little journey?"

"Well..." I said, around my food.

"Korra!" Mom gasped.

"Young Lady, you are not leaving this house to learn airbending until we say you are ready," Dad said, that fact obviously sealing the deal.

"What? You can't do this to me! It's completely unfair!"

"Korra," Mom said, trying to reason, "you have already accomplished so much and you've only known you were the Avatar for a little under a year. You deserve a break and we deserve time with our daughter. Maybe, honey, you could wait a year or two before staring airbending training. The world is at peace..."

"Why procrastinate?" I asked. "Why give things a change for the worse? Why not be prepared for any new threats?"

"That was not a suggestion," Dad said firmly. "You will wait for our consent. And you will write Tenzin first thing tomorrow and let him know you will not be arriving." He challenged me, his blue eyes hard and unyielding. Nothing I could say or do would change him mind.

I stood up so fast my chair toppled over, then I thrust my fork down and rushed out of the house. I half-expected my parents to follow me, but then I realized that was a little foolish to think, because normally they knew to let me simmer down on my own. I grabbed Naga and, together like always, bolted off into the setting sun.

We traveled further away from the village than we normally did, all the way out to the shore line. Then I slid off Naga and flopped into the snow, staring up at the steadily darkening sky. My loyal pet laid down beside me and pressed her cold nose into my side. "You understand why I have to do this, right, girl?" I asked, scratching her behind the ears. Her only response was a whine of pleasure as I continued to scratch. "Such a way with words," I snorted, putting an arm behind my head. "I mean, Mom and Dad wouldn't get why I have to do this if I told them, but I just can't live in anybody's shadow. Avatar or not, I'm still my own person. I want to be special not just another face on the list that students years from now will begrudgingly memorize for one test and then forget." Naga then proceeded to curl herself around me, her warm fur covering me like a blanket. "See. You do understand," I smiled, burying my face in her downy white coat, like I did whenever I was sick or upset as a little girl.

Naga was my best friend, even if she was only an animal. Every Avatar has an animal guide. For Aang, the Avatar before me, it was a sky bison named Appa. From what I heard, he and Appa were just as close as me and Naga. She brought me such security and warmth, before I knew it, I was dozing against her.

"Avatar Korra."

The voice made me blink awake. And then I shot up. My surroundings had been completely changed. Instead of the familiarity of the frozen tundra, I was in a misty bog, an old monk standing over me. Okay, fight now, ask questions later.

I kicked to my feet, in a perfect firebending move, but no fire blasted from me. "What the..."

"Your bending won't work here, Avatar Korra," the monk said. "You are in the spirit world."

"Oh, great," I slapped my forehead. "Don't tell me! You're..."

"Avatar Aang," the monk said, his eyes glimmering. "The Avatar before you. You were my beloved wife's waterbending pupil. Upon her reunion with me, she has told me much about you, Avatar Korra. But I already know you because..."

"You are me. I get it, Avatar reincarnated, cycle, master of all elements, bridge to the spirit world. What do you need, self?" I asked, smirking.

"To talk some sense into you, Avatar Korra," he said. "Your parents are right: you need to pace yourself. You have done well with the other elements. But, even with air the only one left for you to begin studying, you are still a long way to becoming a fully realized Avatar. You need to gain more power before you are ready to face what awaits you in republic city. It is a dangerous place for any bender, let alone an Avatar."

"What makes it so dangerous?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I cannot stay any longer, Korra," Aang said, already starting to fade off. And just like that he was gone and I was waking up, still with Naga.

The sun was still peaking past the horizon, albeit just barely, so I knew I hadn't been asleep long. I sighed, sitting up and resting my folded arms against my knees, placing my chin on top of it all. Everyone was telling me 'no', but I still wasn't going to change my mind. And making me stay here would result in nothing but frustration for me.

Then something snapped. I was the Avatar. If I wanted to learn airbending now, I was learning airbending now. Even if I had to defy the will of my parents' and previous avatars to do it. I stood up quickly, startling Naga. She gave me a knowing and skeptical look before allowing me to climb onto her back and heel her back the village.

"Korra!" Mom reached her hand out to me as I walked inside. "Are you alright? I was so worried-."

I shrugged her hand off, heading for my room. I started throwing things into a bag, trying not to tear up. I didn't want to hurt them, but I had to do this.

"Korra?" Dad's voice was unreadable as he came into my room.

"I'm going. You can't stop me," I said, firmly. I shouldered past them, heading for my front door.

"Korra-!" Mom started, but Dad cut her off with some surprising words.

"Let her go, Kamiah. Just...let her go."

I paused for a minute before walking outside and mounting Naga again, then I threw one last look at them, before I galloped off. I'd betrayed them, delivered a blow more powerful than I could do even in the Avatar state. But, maybe one day they'd understand.

I tried not think about it as I rode through the village. It was just winding down, but people were still out, staring at me. Finally, I came to the house of one of my friends, Kalani.

She came to the door right away, saw my face, and pulled me into a hug. "Korra, what happened?"

Aside from Naga, Kalani was the only one I told everything to. She was the only person-excluding Mom and Dad-who wasn't scared of me when I was named Avatar. "I ran away," I gulped. "They weren't going to let me learn airbending...so I ran away. Can I stay here for tonight? Just tonight, my boat for the city leaves tomorrow."

"Sure, sure," Kalani said, knowing she could never talk me into going back, no matter how many pleading looks she sent me.

That night, I stayed in the spare room, but didn't sleep at all. I was afraid of a visit from Aang, prying at me to go back. It wouldn't of worked, but it would've been annoying and I really didn't want to see how long the jovial monk's patience lasted. I hopped up as soon as I saw rays of sunlight.

Kalani met me at the door. "I'm going to miss you," she said.

"You, too. But, I'll master airbending real quick and I'll be back before you know it. Okay?"

"Okay," she said, quietly, then stepped aside to let me pass. Naga was ready to go the moment I approached her and we got to the boat dock with time to spare. "Take the animal below deck, please," the captain said to me and Naga growled.

"Don't worry," I laughed, patting her neck. "You're not an animal to me." I took her down, where a series of cages and a wide assortment of animals was waiting.

"Nice polar bear-dog," a voice said behind me and I whipped around to see a girl about a year older than me, grinning.

"Thanks," I replied, coaxing Naga into one of the cages. "And you are?"

"My name is Asami," the girl said, tossing her brown hair. "I'm from one of the stops this boat's made in the Earth Kingdom. And you are?"

"Korra. Just Korra."

"Nice to meet you, Korra," she held her hand out.

"Likewise," I said, accepting the gesture.

"Come on, I'll show you around the ship. It's a long way to the United Republic, so you might as well know your way around."

So, that was how I spent most of the day, browsing the ship with Asami. I was only really half-listening to Asami's surprisingly long-winded commentary, more focused on my parents. I kept wondering if I should write them while I was in the republic city. They were probably furious with me, yet at the same time...they would want to know how things were going, right? It was enough to put me in a trance until dinner.

Even as I savored what was probably going to be my last meat in months, my family was on my mind. Stop thinking about it, Korra, I told myself. You can't learn airbending if you can't even focus on what someone is telling you. So I decided to give my full focus to Asami and aide that cause by asking questions.

"So are you a bender?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'm an earthbender!" She grinned. "Two of my friends in United Republic want to form a Pro-Bending team, so they asked me to come! How about you?"

I paused. Asami seemed like a nice girl and all, but I wasn't going to go around telling strangers I was the Avatar. So I decided to tell a half-truth, if you will. "I'm a waterbender."

"You coming for pro-bending? That's what a lot of people go for."

"Yeah," I lied, making a mental note to find out what pro-bending was. "I'm...forming a team with my friends, too."

"Sweet, you'll have to introduce me to your earthbender and firebender sometime. Maybe we could all hang out and train. Before you kick your butts, of course." She winked, then laughed. And, even though I had no idea what she was talking about, I joined in. "Hey, look!" she said, suddenly pointing to something in the distance.

I followed her finger and saw a statue of Avatar Aang, much younger than I'd seen him in my dream...or trip to the spirit world. Then I saw it. The glimmer lights and barley defined skyscrapers of the republic city. "We're almost there!"

"Yeah, we are!" Asami said. "We should be there by nightfall! Before even!"

From that point on, talking to Asami became so much easier. I decided she was a pretty good choice for a friend, if I ever would seek one in United Republic. We found ourselves bonding even more and, before we knew it, the ship had docked.

"Guess I'll be seeing you in the pro-bending competitions, then!" Asami said, as she walked down with me to get Naga.

"Yeah..." I have to admit, I was kind of sad what there was of our relationship was built off of lies on my part. "See you around!"

Then we went our separate ways and I was certain I would never see her again. To make matters worse, without Asami as distraction, I was starting to think about home again. I looked at the city and suddenly a sick feeling crept over me. Maybe, if I turned back now...no. I came all this way already, I was learning airbending. Yet, at the same time...I didn't feel ready to enter the city.

I was tired and confused and, frankly, just plain grumpy. So I rode Naga to a comfortable place on the dock, one that overlooked the water and the grand bridge that lead into the city. It was truly amazing, even enough to outshine Ba Sing Se, where I learned earthbending. I slid off Naga and dangled my feet over the dock, then Naga sprawled herself out beside me.

Suppressing a yawn, I laid my head against my friend, my eyelids suddenly feeling heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep, though, Aang could...

The next thing I knew, something furry that wasn't Naga was sniffing my face and had woken me up. My eyes flew open and I saw a red creature, a fire-ferret I believe they are called, standing on my chest, starting at me. "Hello..." I said, and the creature made a cooing sound, coiling itself around my neck. "Nice to meet you, too," I laughed, rubbing the creature's neck. It snuggled against me even more.

"Well, Naga," I said, "looks like we have another companion to take into the city." Naga growled in agreement, moving so I could hop on her. I rode closer to the bridge, still marvelous in the day light, then steered Naga toward it. We took the bridge into the city and it lead us to a park of sorts in the middle.

I rode by a group of children playing earthball, laughing and having a good time. They paused their game and waved at me and I returned the gesture with a smile, then whipped out the map of the city Tenzin had sent me. According to it, Tenzin lived with his family all the way on the other side of the city. "Perfect," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

It took Naga and I a few hours at a walk to get out of the park, so by the time we reached the actual city, I was hungry. Luckily for me, though, I seemed to have walked right into a shopping district with plenty of restaurants for me to chose from. I found one that had no problem with the fire-ferret around my neck and tied Naga outside.

In no time at all, we were served and the ferret was sitting across from me, nibbling out of a bowl the waitress had brought for him. He was darn cute, I had to admit. "So, Puffball," I said, not knowing what else to call him. "Where'd you come from? What's your name?"

"Pabu!" a voice answered and I nearly had a heart attack until I realized it was a human boy who answered my question. He had a goofy grin on his face and look friendly in general. "He's my fire-ferret!" Pabu saw the boy and made a joyful little sound, jumping onto his arm. "He got out of the house a few days ago and I've been looking all over the city for him. I thought I'd lost the little guy forever. Where'd you find him?"

"On the docks. Good thing, too, I guess."

"Yeah, very good thing. Name's Bolin, by the way. Yours?"

"Korra."

"So, Korra, what brings you into United Republic?"

"Pro-bending," I replied.

"No way!" Bolin said. "My brother and I are putting together a team. You wouldn't happen to be a waterbender, would you?"

"As a matter of fact-."

"Great!" He whipped a piece of paper from his pocket. "Come by this address tonight. We're really excited to see what you can do! We've been looking everywhere for a waterbender and just can't find one!"

"But-."

"See you tonight, Korra!"

He hopped up and, with Pabu, excited the restaurant, leaving me to stare at the paper in my hand.

Next chapter Tenzin and Family plus...Mako (:D) and the famous "The...Avatar!" line. And the equalists. I figured, like the first series, this opening could be like a two-parter type thing.

Just so you know, I ship Makorra. Sorry, Korra-Bolin fans. As far as Asami goes, Seychelle Gabriel is supposed to voice her, so I don't think Asami could end of being Toph's daughter, seeing as Seychelle Gabriel sounds...young. So, I had to be creative on where to put Asami in and, trust me, I have plans for this girl (evil laugh). Maybe I'm wrong, like I am with a lot of this, but this is just for fun.

And, no, (though you probably already guessed this) The guy I made Korra's firebending master is not Zuko's nephew. It's his grandson. Okay? Okay.

And also, if I had a dime for everytime I said 'Korra' in this chapter...what can I say? I like the name...

Anyway, review...but, ehm, preferably no flames. Thanks.