Not Your Hero

Chapter 26

A/N: One of my favorite moments from TLOK (besides from all seasons 3&4 Korrasami interactions) is the Light in the Dark clip, where Korra turns into a giant spirit. I put the clip at the top of this chapter, and if you want you can play it for the final part. I really love this soundtrack. And please ignore Wan's voice... But I couldn't find a better version of this soundtrack besides this one.

"Avatar Korra, Miss Sato. To what do I owe the pleasure this time?" They were greeted upon entering the modest living room.

"Just a friendly chat, Zaheer. I need to throwback after all that's happened." Korra grinned, accepting the cup of green tea she was offered.

"I take it you confronted Amon?" Zaheer asked. Asami grimly nodded. "He escaped before we could get him. But we have reason to believe it'll be a while before he re-emerges again. If he re-emerges. Everything's been at peace since Amon escaped and we helped Lin imprison every leader involved. I think the Saviors won't rise again. Their followers need strong leaders and those leaders are staring at jail walls currently."

Korra contemplated everything Asami said. It'd already been a month after Amon's escape, but Korra couldn't find peace anywhere, no matter how her girlfriend tried to help. Tenzin, Raiko, and all the other conspirators were sitting in separate jails, possibly facing lifetime imprisonment. Things started perking up again.

Zaheer remained silent.

"You knew him, didn't you? Amon." Korra said. Zaheer nodded. "You know that I was a passionate anarchist in my younger and more chaotic years. I used to be a brilliant researcher in comparative political studies. I had a smart team: Ghazon, Minghua, and P'Li. The four of us published paper after paper of how each and every one of our governments has failed. That was when I met Amon. That was just a pseudonym, his true name is Noatak. He also had a younger brother, Tarrlok. They took an interest in my studies, and together we started campaigning around the world, preaching how governments have failed us. We were so influential that parades and marches inspired by us would last for weeks." Zaheer paused, seemingly lost in his own moment.

"You guys fell out, didn't you?" Asami asked softly. Zaheer nodded, taking a sip of his tea thoughtfully. "I was positive that the problem was in the government, while Noatak was convinced that the citizens themselves were to blame. Around that time, Aang established the United Republic. Tarrlok, always the less ambitious of the two, became a counselor in the central government. His brother naturally didn't approve and told me that Tarrlok was going in the wrong way. Our opinions diverged greatly, and we lost contact over the years. My team all gradually retired, there wasn't much they could do as anarchists. I came to terms with the fact that maybe the United Republic citizens would have more freedom. I later became friends with Aang, and he told me that he believed balance was always more important, whereas freedom always brings chaos."

Zaheer leaned back and sighed. "Noatak and Tarrlok were quite the pair. Tarrlok had the political knowledge and Noatak knew what to do with it. Counselor Tarrlok was quite close to General Tenzin before the latter was sent to jail. Noatak, or should I say, Amon, became more radical after splitting up with his brother. And so you have the Saviors."

"I don't think Amon will be back," Asami said after a long silence. Answering Korra's questioning gaze, she continued, "This isn't some job like robbing banks where you could pick up where you left off. His grand plan is ruined and his face is known. There won't be any comeback any time soon."

"I agree," Korra said.

"Then what's bothering you?" Zaheer prompted. "You're clearly bothered, or you won't show up here."

"What if Amon had a point?" Korra admitted. "People are starving, and some don't even have access to clean drinking water. If they're not a burden to society, how do we actually help them? All seems well now, Amon's gone and the conspirators are in jail and we get to relax, but there's so much in this mess. I don't think Aang would agree that a republic where there are millions starving every day would be the republic he envisioned. In fact, I know so. And then there's USOF. That was the start of all of this, wasn't it? To create a special force for me, the avatar. This whole mess is far from over!"

[A/N: If you want, you can play the soundtrack now.]

Zaheer looked at her with an unreadable expression, but Korra felt sure she could see understanding in those eyes. "That's the work of the avatar, Korra. I'm glad you're taking on responsibility. As for the solution, that's something you know deep down. Ask Raava. If you don't know how, think about what Tenzin taught you about meditation. And I also know that this won't be a journey you have to take alone. From the looks of it, Miss Sato seems pretty willing to hitch a ride with you." The old master winked, leaving Asami slightly flustered.

And just like after she understood she was the avatar, Korra felt she could see her path clearly.

--

Korra sat cross-legged in the living room of the Sato Mansion, her fists lightly touching. She breathed deeply, and thought back to everything that is out of balance right now. People are starving. The political world is in chaos because Raiko is in jail. The planet is heating up after the industrial revolution. Thousands of people still work in USOF when the purpose for their existence is gone.

"Find the light in the dark," Tenzin used to say. Korra thought harder. She gradually learned that meditation is about tapping into what's going on inside your brain while you stay acutely aware of everything that's happening around you.

With a small smile, Korra opens her eyes. She feels more at peace with her surrounding environment than ever. Moreover, she feels like she's found the light. She stood up in search of Asami. She'd need to start preparing for her plan as soon as possible.