Chapter IX: Skyhook
The Discovery
Several days after the fall of Air Temple Island
The sewers beneath Republic City had become a makeshift haven for those resisting Amon's occupation. In one of the larger chambers that Gommu's network had converted into a living space, Korra sat meditating while Odyn practiced controlled transformations nearby.
Something had changed since their initial bonding practice. Something neither of them had anticipated.
"Odyn," Korra said suddenly, her eyes snapping open. "Stop for a moment."
The dark elf prince let his partial transformation fade, the draconic scales receding from his arms. He'd been maintaining the form for over an hour now - far longer than should have been possible without severe fatigue. Yet he felt... fine. Better than fine, actually.
"What is it?" he asked, settling beside her.
"Your life force," Korra said, placing her hand over his heart. "It's not draining. At all. When you transform now, I can feel the power flowing through our bond, but it's not consuming you the way it did with Tarrlok."
Odyn concentrated, feeling the connection between them. She was right. The Dragon Crest, which had threatened to kill him through sheer energy expenditure before, now felt as natural as breathing. "The bonding practice worked better than we thought."
"It's more than that," Korra said, her voice carrying a note of wonder. "I think... I think our connection is actively regenerating what you use. You're drawing power, but I'm replacing it through the Avatar spirit. It's like we've created a closed loop."
Roy entered the chamber, followed by Sarai and Khanna. The captain's expression was thoughtful as he observed his brother. "You've been transformed for over an hour. By all accounts, you should be unconscious by now."
"The bond is sustaining him," Sarai observed, her earthbender senses allowing her to perceive the flow of energy between the pair. "I can feel it - there's a constant exchange happening. Odyn uses power, Korra replenishes it, and the cycle continues."
"Which means," Khanna concluded, "that Odyn can essentially maintain the Ryuumajin form indefinitely as long as Korra is nearby."
"Not just nearby," Odyn said, standing and calling the transformation again. This time, he went further - full draconic features, ethereal wings, the complete manifestation of dragon power. "The bond is strong enough now that distance doesn't seem to matter. As long as we're spiritually connected, I can access the power."
He moved through a series of combat forms, the transformation responding to his will as easily as any other muscle. The Dragon Crest had become second nature, as intuitive as his light magic, integrated fully into his being.
"This changes our tactical capabilities significantly," Roy noted, his strategic mind already working through implications. "A warrior who can maintain enhanced strength, speed, and durability without fatigue? That's unprecedented."
"There's something else," Korra said, standing up. She looked at her hands with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. "Ever since we strengthened the bond, I've been feeling... different. Like there's an echo of your power in me now."
"What do you mean?" Odyn asked, letting the transformation fade to give her his full attention.
"Watch," Korra said, concentrating. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, faintly, barely visible scales began to shimmer along her arms. Her eyes flickered with a hint of orange-gold. "I can touch the dragon power too. Not transform like you can, but... access fragments of it."
The room went silent as everyone processed what they were seeing.
"The bond is bidirectional," Sarai breathed. "You're not just anchoring his power, Korra. You're sharing it."
Odyn moved closer to Korra, studying the subtle draconic features that had manifested. "Can you feel what I feel when transformed?"
"Enhanced senses," Korra confirmed. "Increased strength. It's like having access to a partial transformation, but it feels... different from the Ryuumajin form. Less dragon, more..." she searched for words, "more Avatar-touched dragon. If that makes sense."
"It makes perfect sense," Khanna said, her amber eyes bright with understanding. "The Avatar spirit is adapting the dragon power to suit Korra's nature. She's not becoming a dragon warrior - she's becoming something unique. An Avatar with dragon characteristics."
"Which our children would inherit," Odyn said softly, remembering Korra's vision. "Not just one form of power, but both, fully integrated."
Roy pulled out a small notebook, already documenting this discovery. "We need to understand the limits of this shared power. Can Korra maintain her partial transformation while you're fully transformed? What happens if you're both drawing on the bond simultaneously?"
"Let's find out," Korra said with a grin, her competitive nature emerging. "Odyn, transform fully. Let's see how this works."
Testing Limits
For the next several hours, they experimented with their newfound capabilities under the watchful eyes of the Albanar siblings. What they discovered was both exhilarating and strategically invaluable.
When Odyn transformed fully, Korra could access a partial transformation that enhanced her bending significantly. Her waterbending became more powerful, her movements faster, her strikes harder. The dragon power amplified the Avatar's abilities in ways that neither bending nor transformation alone could achieve.
More remarkably, they discovered a form of shared consciousness during transformation. Not mind-reading exactly, but an awareness of each other's location, status, and intentions. They could coordinate attacks with perfect timing, anticipate each other's moves, fight as a truly unified force.
"This is insane," Bolin observed from the sidelines, watching as Korra and Odyn moved through combat sequences with inhuman synchronization. "It's like watching one person control two bodies."
"That's essentially what's happening," Sarai explained. "The bond allows them to share perception and intent. They're not just fighting together - they're fighting as one entity with two forms."
Asami, who had been taking notes on the technical aspects of their movements, looked up with professional interest. "From an engineering standpoint, this is fascinating. You've essentially created a feedback loop that generates more power than either of you could produce alone. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
"And there's no drain," Odyn confirmed, finally letting the transformation fade. "I could maintain this all day if necessary. The bond sustains everything."
Korra's partial transformation faded as well, though she noticed the dragon-touched features seemed to linger slightly longer than they should have. "I think the power is starting to become permanent in me," she observed. "Not the transformation itself, but the capacity for it. Like my body is adapting to accommodate the dragon energy."
"That's concerning," Roy said immediately. "Unknown long-term effects on physiology-"
"Or it's exactly what's supposed to happen," Khanna interrupted. "The vision Korra had showed them married, with children. If the power is integrating into her permanently, that would ensure their offspring inherit both bloodlines properly. This isn't a side effect - it's the bond working as intended."
General Iroh, who had been observing quietly from the entrance, finally spoke. "This is all very impressive, but we need to focus on the immediate situation. Amon has taken control of the city, and we need to retake it. How do these new abilities help us achieve that objective?"
"They give us options we didn't have before," Odyn replied. "I can engage Equalist forces directly without worrying about fatigue. Korra can use the enhanced abilities to counter Amon's bloodbending - the dragon power makes our bodies fundamentally different, harder to manipulate."
"Wait," Korra said, a thought occurring to her. "If the dragon transformation made you immune to Tarrlok's bloodbending, and I can access a partial transformation..."
"You might be able to resist Amon's bloodbending," Mako finished, understanding dawning. "Not completely immune like Odyn would be in full transformation, but enough to fight back."
"This changes everything," Iroh said, his tactical mind engaging. "We've been operating under the assumption that anyone facing Amon directly would be helpless against his bloodbending. But if Korra can resist, if she can maintain enough control to counterattack..."
"We can ambush him," Korra said firmly. "We draw him out, I engage him directly, and when he tries to bloodbend me, I push through with the dragon power. It won't be what he's expecting."
"It's risky," Roy cautioned. "We don't know the full extent of Amon's abilities. If his bloodbending is stronger than Tarrlok's-"
"Then I transform fully and intervene," Odyn said. "Through the bond, I can sense when Korra is in danger. If she's struggling, I can reach her instantly."
"Assuming you're nearby," Roy pointed out.
"Distance doesn't matter anymore," Korra reminded him. "We tested it. The bond works across the entire city. Odyn could be in the mountains and still sense if I needed him."
Asami looked between the two of them, something complicated passing over her face. "You two really are perfectly matched, aren't you? Not just romantically, but... functionally. Like you were designed to work together."
"The Avatar spirit knew what it was doing," Sarai said softly. "It showed Korra the vision for a reason. This bond, this partnership - it's not just about defeating Amon. It's about creating something new for the world. A new kind of Avatar, one who carries both human and dragon bloodlines forward."
The Rally
Later that day
The episode opened with an aerial view of Republic City filled with Equalist airships. Hiroshi Sato stood on the front steps of City Hall, addressing a large crowd about Amon's vision for the future.
Near the back of the crowd, two chi-blockers - actually Korra and Mako in disguise - listened with barely concealed anger.
"Can you believe Hiroshi?!" Korra said once they'd retreated to safety. "'The Avatar's on the run'. I'm not running from anyone!"
But Mako could see the subtle shimmer along her arms - the dragon power that now resided within her, ready to be called upon at will. She wasn't just the Avatar anymore. She was something more.
"Relax," Mako said, following the script of their plan. "General Iroh's coming with an entire fleet of battleships. Then Amon will be the one who's running."
Back in the sewers, they regrouped with the others. Asami's glare when they arrived together wasn't lost on anyone, but the immediate situation took precedence over romantic complications.
As they discussed their plans around Gommu's makeshift table, Korra became increasingly restless. "I hate this 'being patient' stuff," she muttered.
But Odyn, standing nearby with his hand resting reassuringly on her shoulder, could feel through their bond that she wasn't as impatient as she pretended. She was preparing mentally, focusing herself for what was to come. The dragon power thrummed beneath her skin, ready but controlled.
"You're ready," he said quietly, for her ears only. "When the time comes, you'll know what to do."
"We'll know what to do," Korra corrected, meeting his eyes. "Together."
The word had become their promise, their anchor, their certainty in an uncertain world. Together, they would face whatever came next - Amon, the Equalists, the revelation of secrets that could shake the foundations of the revolution.
And through it all, the bond between Avatar and dragon prince would hold strong, a force that neither bloodbending nor political manipulation could break.
The endgame was approaching. And for the first time since Amon had seized control of Republic City, Korra felt genuinely confident about their chances.
Because she wasn't just the Avatar anymore.
She was the dragon-touched Avatar, bonded to a prince who could maintain impossible power indefinitely, fighting with abilities that shouldn't exist but did.
Amon thought he was facing a desperate Avatar on the run.
He had no idea what was actually coming for him.
Meanwhile - The Others Prepare
As Korra and Odyn's bond continued to solidify, the rest of their expanded family prepared for their own roles in the coming conflict.
Bolin had grown considerably from the joking earthbender who had first met Korra at the Pro-bending Arena. Under Sarai's tutelage, his earthbending had developed genuine sophistication, and more importantly, he'd discovered an inner core of courage that surprised even himself.
"You ready for this?" Sarai asked him as they prepared to depart with General Iroh's team to take down the airfield.
"To infiltrate enemy territory, fight my way through highly trained Equalist forces, and potentially face down mecha tanks piloted by my sort-of ex-girlfriend's evil father?" Bolin replied with a grin. "Yeah, I'm ready. Weirdly, terrifyingly ready."
Sarai kissed him quickly. "That's my brave earthbender. Just remember - if things go wrong, you run. No heroic last stands."
"Says the princess who's planning to lead the charge," Bolin countered.
"That's different. I'm expendable as long as my brothers survive to rebuild Shadowvale. You're not expendable to me."
The simple honesty of the statement made Bolin's throat tight. "Love you too. Now let's go blow up some airplanes."
Nearby, Mako watched his brother's easy affection with Sarai with a mixture of happiness and envy. His own romantic situation remained complicated despite the honest conversation with Asami and Khanna weeks ago.
Asami approached him now, her expression difficult to read. "So, you're going with Korra to face Amon."
"Someone needs to watch her back," Mako replied.
"And it has to be you?"
"She asked me to come," Mako said honestly. "But Asami, this isn't about... us. Or her and me. This is about stopping Amon."
"I know," Asami said, and surprisingly, she sounded like she meant it. "I just... be careful, okay? Both of you. Because whatever happens after this is over, I'd like you both to survive to see it."
"What happens after?" Mako asked.
Asami managed a slight smile. "We figure it out. Honestly. Without the pressure of war and revolution forcing our decisions. Sound good?"
"Sounds good," Mako agreed.
Khanna joined them, having overheard the exchange. "A reasonable plan," she observed. "Though I should note that if both of you die heroically before giving Mako a proper chance to sort out his feelings, I'm going to be very annoyed."
Despite the tension, all three of them laughed.
"Only you could make death threats sound polite," Asami told her.
"It's a Shadowvale thing," Khanna replied with a slight smile. "We're very civilized about our violence."
The Separation
As the time came to split up - Iroh's team heading to the mountains, Korra and Mako to their ambush - there was a moment of collective understanding that this could be the last time they were all together.
Roy, ever the tactician, addressed them formally. "Whatever happens in the next few hours, know that you've all done honor to yourselves and this cause. Shadowvale remembers its allies."
"The Avatar remembers her friends," Korra added. Then, with uncharacteristic formality, she bowed to them. "Thank you. All of you. For believing in me when I couldn't believe in myself. For standing with me against impossible odds. For being my team."
"For being our family," Bolin corrected. "Because that's what we are now, right? Not just a team. A family."
"The best kind," Sarai agreed. "The kind you choose."
Odyn pulled Korra aside for a private moment before she left with Mako. "I'll be able to sense you through the bond," he reminded her. "If you're in danger, if you need me-"
"I know," Korra said, placing her hand over his heart. "I can feel you here. Always. But Odyn, you need to focus on your mission too. If the airfield isn't destroyed, Iroh's reinforcements can't land. That's just as important as exposing Amon."
"Nothing is as important as your survival," Odyn said flatly.
"Our survival," Korra corrected. "Because if I die, what happens to you? Through the bond?"
Odyn was quiet. They both knew the answer - the bond had become so integral to his use of the Dragon Crest that losing Korra would likely be catastrophic. Not necessarily fatal, but it would certainly strip away his ability to maintain the transformation safely.
"Then don't die," he said finally.
"Same to you," Korra replied, pulling him into a kiss that carried all the promise of their shared future. The vision of their wedding, their children, Shadowvale rebuilt - all of it waiting on the other side of this conflict.
When they finally separated, both felt the bond thrumming between them, stronger than ever. Distance didn't matter. Danger didn't matter. They were connected in ways that transcended physical proximity.
"Together," Korra said.
"Always," Odyn replied.
And with that promise echoing between them through the spiritual bond they shared, Team Avatar split up to face their respective battles, each carrying hope that they would reunite victorious when the sun rose on a liberated Republic City.
Journey to the Airfield
The team heading to destroy Hiroshi's secret airfield moved through the snowy mountain passes with practiced efficiency. Bolin rode on Naga alongside Asami and General Iroh, while the Albanar siblings maintained a protective formation around them. Sarai ranged ahead as a scout, Roy coordinated their approach, and Khanna moved through the shadows, practically invisible.
As they approached a narrow pass, Roy called for a brief halt to assess their route. The moment of respite gave the various members of their group a chance to address the unspoken tensions that had been building.
"Odyn," Roy said, pulling his brother aside. "I need your word on something."
"What is it?"
"The Dragon Crest," Roy replied quietly. "I know you've mastered it, that you and Korra have created that bond. But this mission requires stealth and precision. Dragon warriors are many things, but subtle isn't one of them."
Odyn nodded slowly. "You want me to rely on light magic unless absolutely necessary."
"Can you do that? I know the temptation to use your full power when Korra might be in danger-"
"I can control it," Odyn interrupted firmly. "The bond works both ways now. I can sense Korra's status without transforming. If she's truly in danger, I'll know. But for this mission, I'll fight as I always have - with light and blade."
Roy studied his brother's face, then nodded. "Good. We need you focused on the objective, not split between here and the arena."
"I can do both," Odyn said. "But I understand your concern. The Dragon Crest stays dormant unless circumstances become desperate."
As the brothers conferred, Roy felt a presence behind him. He turned to find Ikki approaching, her usual exuberance tempered by the gravity of their situation.
"Captain Roy," she said formally, which immediately set off warning bells in his tactical mind. Ikki was never formal unless something was wrong.
"Miss Ikki," he replied carefully. "Is everything all right?"
"Can we talk? Privately?"
Roy glanced at Odyn, who gave him a knowing look before walking away to give them space. They moved to a rocky outcropping that provided both privacy and a vantage point to watch for enemies.
"I need to say something," Ikki began, her words tumbling out faster than usual. "And I need to say it now because we're about to go into battle and people die in battles and I don't want to die or have you die without saying it."
"Ikki-"
"I have feelings for you," she interrupted, her cheeks flushed despite the cold. "Real, actual, romantic feelings. Not just a crush or admiration or whatever everyone keeps trying to say it is. I know you're dealing with exile and dragon blood and rebuilding kingdoms and all that complicated stuff, but I needed you to know that I-"
Roy tried to respond, but Ikki, in a burst of characteristic impulsiveness mixed with airbender agility, grabbed the front of his armor and pulled him down to her level. Before he could process what was happening, her lips were on his.
It lasted only a moment - a brief, sweet kiss that carried all the nervous energy and genuine affection that Ikki had been holding back for weeks. When she pulled away, Roy's normally composed expression had shattered into complete astonishment.
"That was my first kiss," he said automatically, his tactical mind still trying to catch up with what had just happened.
"Mine too," Ikki replied, equally breathless. "Was it okay? I've never done that before and I probably should have asked but we're about to fight and-"
"Ikki," Roy said, his composure returning as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "We need to talk about this. Properly. After the battle."
"So you're not angry?"
"Angry?" Roy actually laughed, a rare sound from the serious captain. "Surprised, certainly. Terrified of your father's reaction, absolutely. But angry? No."
"Then you'll... we'll talk about what this means? Later?"
"Later," Roy confirmed. "When we're not about to assault an Equalist stronghold. But Ikki, I need you focused on the mission. Can you do that?"
Ikki nodded vigorously. "I can be very focused. Super focused. The most focused person you've ever-"
"Breathe," Roy said gently. "And stay safe. We'll figure this out together after we win."
As they rejoined the group, Roy caught Odyn's amused expression and Sarai's knowing smile. Khanna, materializing from the shadows, simply gave him a congratulatory nod.
"Not a word," Roy warned them all.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Sarai replied, though her grin suggested otherwise.
Nearby, Bolin and Sarai took their own moment of privacy. The earthbender had been unusually quiet since they'd left the city, and Sarai finally confronted him about it.
"You're brooding," she observed. "You never brood. You joke and make terrible puns and occasionally sing. Brooding is not your thing."
"I've been thinking about what you said," Bolin replied. "About being expendable as long as your brothers survive. About how they need to rebuild Shadowvale."
"Bolin-"
"No, let me finish," he said, taking her hands. "You are not expendable. Not to me, not to anyone who matters. I don't care if you have seventeen backup heirs and a whole succession plan. You matter, Sarai. As a person, as my girlfriend, as someone I love. So promise me something."
"What?"
"Promise me you'll fight to survive today," Bolin said intensely. "Not just fight to complete the mission or protect your brothers or serve your kingdom. Fight to come back to me. Because I need you to survive this."
Sarai felt her throat tighten with emotion. "Bolin-"
"Promise me," he repeated. "Please."
"I promise," Sarai said, pulling him into a fierce embrace. "I'll fight like hell to come back to you. To our future. Whatever that looks like."
They kissed, and it carried all the desperate hope of people who knew they might not see tomorrow but refused to let that stop them from planning for it anyway.
As they separated, Bolin managed a weak smile. "So, when we rebuild Shadowvale, do I get a cool title? Prince Consort Bolin has a nice ring to it."
"We'll workshop it," Sarai replied, laughing despite the tears in her eyes.
Further down the line, Mako found himself in an unexpectedly awkward situation. Both Asami and Khanna had cornered him near Naga, their expressions suggesting this conversation had been coordinated.
"We figured we should clear the air," Asami said without preamble. "Before any of us potentially die."
"That's comforting," Mako replied dryly.
"We've been honest about the situation," Khanna continued. "About all of us having complicated feelings. But we need to know where your head is at, Mako. Not demanding a choice, just... clarity."
Mako looked between them, these two incredible women who somehow both saw something worth pursuing in him despite his obvious confusion. "I care about both of you," he said finally. "I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. And I don't know how to resolve that without hurting one of you, which is the last thing I want."
"Then don't resolve it yet," Asami said pragmatically. "But acknowledge that it needs resolving. Eventually."
"And know that we're both okay with that," Khanna added. "We're not going to claw each other's eyes out over you, Mako. We're adults. We can handle uncertainty while we fight a war."
"You're both being remarkably mature about this," Mako observed.
"Don't get used to it," Asami warned with a slight smile. "Once this is over and we have time to actually process feelings instead of just surviving, all bets are off."
"Agreed," Khanna said. "May the best woman win. But until then, we're all on the same team."
"Deal," Mako said, feeling simultaneously relieved and more confused than ever. But at least everything was out in the open now.
As the group prepared to resume their journey, General Iroh gathered them for a final briefing. "Once we reach the airfield, we move fast. Bolin destroys the runways, the rest of us provide cover and take out as many aircraft as possible. This is not a subtle operation - we cause maximum chaos and get out."
"What about prisoners?" Roy asked.
"Capture if possible, but don't risk the mission for it," Iroh replied. "Our priority is preventing those aircraft from reaching Bumi's fleet. Everything else is secondary."
They moved out, each person carrying their own hopes and fears into the coming battle. And in Republic City, miles away but connected through unbreakable bonds of spirit and blood, Korra and Odyn both felt the echo of their partners' determination.
The endgame had begun.
The Arena - Korra and Mako
Back at the Pro-bending Arena, Korra and Mako had infiltrated in their Equalist disguises. As they watched Amon address the crowd, Korra felt the dragon power thrumming beneath her skin, ready to be called upon.
"That's a lie, Amon!" she shouted, removing her mask. "Or should I call you Noatak?"
The confrontation played out as it had been destined to - accusations, revelations, the shocking appearance of Tenzin and his children as prisoners. When Amon demonstrated his fake scars, Korra felt a moment of despair.
"They don't believe me," she said to Mako. "It didn't work!"
But they had committed to this path. When Amon captured the airbenders, when he tried to take Tenzin's bending, Korra and Mako sprang into action.
The battle was fierce and desperate. They freed the airbenders, created diversions, fought with everything they had. But ultimately, they found themselves cornered in a back room, with Amon closing in.
Through the bond, Korra felt Odyn's alarm spike. She sent reassurance back through their connection, along with a single thought: Not yet. I can handle this.
When Amon bloodbended her, Korra reached for the dragon power she'd been practicing. The partial transformation activated - scales shimmering along her arms, her eyes flickering orange-gold, her body becoming fundamentally different from regular flesh and blood.
It wasn't enough to break free entirely, but it gave her resistance. Enough to fight back more than any normal bender could.
Amon seemed surprised by her resilience. "Impressive, Avatar. But futile."
He was about to take her bending when the Lieutenant's betrayal created the distraction they needed. In the chaos, Amon still managed to strip away Korra's water, earth, and fire bending, leaving only her newfound airbending.
But Korra had the dragon power. And airbending. And desperation.
When Amon tried to take Mako's bending, when he had her partner suspended in bloodbending's grip, Korra instinctively threw a punch. The airbending blast that resulted was enhanced by dragon power, hitting with far more force than a normal air attack.
"I can airbend?!" she shouted, elation cutting through despair. "I can airbend!"
The battle that followed showcased her enhanced abilities. Each air blast carried traces of dragon strength, hitting harder than they should. When Amon tried to bloodbend her again, the partial transformation gave her just enough resistance to push through and deliver the kick that sent him through the window.
As Amon fell, as his mask came off and his fake scar washed away, as he revealed himself as a waterbender to his horrified followers, Korra felt a surge of grim satisfaction.
They'd won. But at terrible cost.
The Airfield - Coordinated Chaos
At the secret airfield, the assault team hit the Equalist base with devastating efficiency. But they'd been expected - Hiroshi had intercepted Iroh's message and laid a trap.
The electric fence caught them off guard, leaving Iroh, Bolin, and Asami unconscious and captured. It was only Naga's rescue that saved them, with Pabu proving his worth once again.
The battle that followed was epic in scope. Iroh commandeered planes and engaged in aerial combat, taking down aircraft with a combination of firebending and piloting skill that would have made his grandfather proud.
Bolin earthbended the runways into unusable rubble, preventing takeoff after takeoff. Sarai led the ground forces with devastating efficiency, her royal combat training on full display.
Roy coordinated the assault with tactical precision, his light magic supplementing his strategic genius. Khanna moved through the chaos like a shadow of death, her abilities making her practically untouchable.
And Asami... Asami faced her father in a mecha tank battle that was as much emotional catharsis as physical combat.
"You are aiding the very people who took your mother away!" Hiroshi raged.
"You don't feel love for Mom anymore," Asami replied, tears streaming down her face as she fought. "You're too full of hatred."
When she finally subdued him, when she stood over her defeated father and made the choice to take him prisoner rather than kill him, it marked her final break from her past.
"You really are a horrible father," she said sadly, before electrocuting him into unconsciousness.
The airfield was destroyed, the aircraft grounded, Hiroshi captured. They'd won.
But at the arena, Korra had lost her bending.
The Aftermath - Southern Water Tribe
The days following Amon's defeat were a blur of activity. Korra had unlocked airbending but lost everything else. Katara tried everything to restore her bending, but ultimately had to admit defeat.
"I cannot restore Korra's bending," the master healer said sadly. "Her connection to the other elements has been severed."
Korra fled to the cliffs above the compound, unable to face the pity in everyone's eyes. Through the bond, she felt Odyn's concern, but she couldn't bring herself to reach out to him. What was a dragon-touched Avatar without her bending?
The dragon power remained, but felt hollow without the elements to channel through it. She could still access the partial transformation, but what good was enhanced strength without water, earth, and fire to bend?
She sat alone on the cliff, tears streaming down her face, when she felt a presence approaching. Not Tenzin or her parents or Mako.
Odyn.
"Go away," she said without turning.
"No," Odyn replied simply, settling beside her. "We're partners, remember? That means I don't leave when things get hard."
"I'm not the Avatar anymore," Korra said bitterly. "Not really. Just a broken airbender with some dragon powers I can't even use properly."
"You're still Korra," Odyn said firmly. "The woman I love. The woman who faced down Amon when everyone else was too terrified to act. The woman who saved Republic City."
"By losing my bending?"
"By being brave enough to risk everything," Odyn corrected. He took her hand, and she felt warmth flow through their bond. "The vision we saw - our wedding, our children, Shadowvale rebuilt - none of that depended on you having all four elements. It depended on you being you."
"How can you still want me like this?" Korra asked, finally looking at him. "I'm broken, Odyn."
"You're hurt," Odyn corrected. "There's a difference. And for what it's worth, I think you're being too hard on yourself. You unlocked airbending, Korra. The element you've struggled with for years. That's not nothing."
"It's not enough."
"Maybe not for the Avatar," Odyn said quietly. "But it's enough for me. You're enough for me. With bending or without it, with one element or four, you're still the person I choose. Every day. Forever."
Korra felt fresh tears falling, but these were different. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," Odyn replied, pulling her close.
They sat together as the sun set, the bond between them carrying comfort and warmth and unshakeable certainty. And in that moment of complete vulnerability, Korra felt something shift inside her.
"You have finally connected with your spiritual self," a familiar voice said.
Korra turned to see Avatar Aang standing behind them, smiling warmly. Behind him, countless other Avatars stretched into the distance, all watching her with understanding and compassion.
"When we hit our lowest point," Aang continued, "we are open to the greatest change."
He placed his hands on Korra's forehead and shoulder, entering the Avatar State. The dragon power within her resonated with the Avatar spirit, the two sources of power intertwining as Aang restored her bending.
When it was done, when Korra had her waterbending, earthbending, and firebending back, enhanced by the permanent integration of dragon power into her spiritual essence, she looked up to find Odyn watching her with joy and relief.
"You did it," he said.
"We did it," Korra corrected. "The bond between us - it helped anchor me. It's why Aang could restore my bending. Because I wasn't just an Avatar anymore. I was something new. Something that needed both spirit powers to be complete."
She rose into the air with airbending, sending a blast of air, fire, and earth that was visibly enhanced by dragon energy. Then she waterbended the sea into a massive wave that glowed with subtle draconic power.
When she landed, Odyn was smiling at her with such love and pride that Korra's heart felt full to bursting.
"I love you," she said, running to him.
"I love you too," Odyn replied, catching her as she jumped into his arms.
They kissed as the sun set over the Southern Water Tribe, two people from different worlds who had become one force capable of changing everything. The Avatar and the Dragon Prince, bonded by spirit and blood, ready to build the future they'd been shown.
Mako, who had followed Korra to the cliff intending to confess his feelings, stopped when he saw them together. For a moment, he felt a pang of loss. But then he saw the way they looked at each other, the way their powers intertwined, the way they moved as one being in two bodies.
They were perfect for each other. And he... he needed to figure out his own path.
As he turned to leave, he found Asami and Khanna waiting for him at the bottom of the cliff path.
"So," Asami said. "Ready to actually deal with this complicated situation?"
"Yeah," Mako said, managing a smile. "I think I am."
The three of them walked back toward the compound together, toward an uncertain future but an honest one.
Final Restoration
Back at the compound, Korra demonstrated her newly restored and enhanced abilities by giving Lin Beifong her bending back. The energybending came naturally now, flowing through channels carved by both Avatar spirit and dragon power.
When Lin successfully earthbended again, the gathered crowd erupted in cheers.
"Thank you," Lin said simply, bowing to Korra.
"I am so proud of you, Avatar Korra," Tenzin said, his voice thick with emotion.
Korra smiled, then looked to where Odyn stood with his siblings. The Albanar family had lost their anonymity, revealed their powers, risked everything to help save Republic City. And in doing so, they'd begun building the future they'd dreamed of.
"We did it," she said to Odyn through their bond.
"We did," he agreed. "And now we build what comes next."
Together, they stood watching the sun set over the Southern Water Tribe, surrounded by friends and family, bonded by love and power and destiny. The war with Amon was over.
But their journey - the Avatar and the Dragon Prince - was just beginning.
To be continued in Chapter 10: New Beginnings; A Friend's Farewell