moonchild ☽ legend of korra

book 1 - chapter 1

"You will pay for what your late grandfather did, long live Firelord Ozai!" The man exclaimed as he let out a huge flame, pointing right at me.

I had never truly felt fire. It burned the skin on my neck to such an extent that I couldn't even scream. It was agonizing, it was unbearable.

"You can't even defend yourself. Granddaughter of Avatar Aang? Pathetic. Just like he was."

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't move. I just hoped he wouldn't burn me again. I had never felt so weak, so helpless. I had never felt such pain. I wanted to fight back, I truly did.

I just wanted them to leave me alone. I should have never snuck out of the palace.

I wake up screaming. I'm sweating. I immediately reach for my neck, feeling the ragged skin from my scar. Sometimes, like tonight, it hurts. I sigh deeply. I hate this nightmare, this memory. I hate that I can't rest.

"Same nightmare again?" I hear a voice ask. I look up to see Korra sitting by the window, wide awake. I was so rattled up by my nightmare that I completely forgot where I was. Korra's big firebending test is tomorrow, and she had asked me to spend the night.

"Yeah," I say as I pull back my hair. "Why are you up? Are you nervous?"

"More like a mix of nerves with excitement. If I pass this test, Tenzin will finally come, and I'll be an airbender." She explains, "It's like, I'll finally be able to be somewhat comparable to Aang, you know? It's so much pressure having to fill his shoes."

I stand up and sit next to my best friend. "You've already done so much. Don't sell yourself short, Korra. You're going to ace that test tomorrow, just like you did your earth and waterbending tests."

Korra looks at me and smiles slightly. "I just hope Tenzin is able to teach me how to airbend," She huffs. "I feel like I'm the only avatar that is an element short."

I chuckle. I pull her in for a hug. "You're amazing Korra, you just have to believe in yourself."

"You always say that." She retorts as she pulls away, "What about you? Do you want to talk about your nightmare? You seemed pretty riled up."

"I didn't want to talk about it yesterday, or the day before. And, I don't want to talk about it now." I dismiss. It's always the same dream, I can deal with it.

"Okay, if that's what you want." She says, giving me her 'I don't think you're okay, but I won't push' face.

Knowing she'd keep pressing on the subject, I say: "Want to do some drills? Final practice for you test tomorrow."

She smirks. "I know what you're doing, but I will never pass up the chance to bend."

Korra eagerly steps out of the room and runs to the training grounds. I sigh, and quickly look at my scar in the mirror in Korra's room. I will never pass up the chance to bend either. Not again.

☾ ☾ ☾

I stand along the examination board and Gran-Gran, to the side of the training grounds, watching Korra's test. So far, it would be fair to say that she's kicking the firebenders' asses and enjoying it.

Every time they get too close, I flinch. Gran-Gran reaches for my hand. She can read me like an open book. I like to think I'm strong, but deep down I'm terrified of fire, and Gran-Gran knows. I smile at her and squeeze her hand.

As Korra launches one of the firebenders to the roof above us, Gran-Gran's eyes widen just slightly. "She's strong." She comments.

"She lacks restraint." One of the White-Lotus examiners remarks.