Chapter Text
ARE THE SPIRIT PORTALS HERE TO STAY?!
The word from the Northern and South Poles confirmed that the Spirit Portals remain open allowing spirits to pass to and out of our realm. From the scarce information we have managed to collect it is unclear how did the portal come to be open. Some Water Tribe members say that it was caused by the civil war among the Northern and Southern Water Tribes, others blame the Northern Tribe Chieftain Unalaq, now missing and presumed dead. By far the most interesting theory is that the person behind it is the young Avatar, Korra. Korra, secluded until now with the White Lotus is something of an enigma to the citizens of the United Republic of Nations...
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!
Republic City police was shocked to discover that the person behind the destruction of a shop in the dock district was an Airbender. Even more surprisingly, it was an Airbender until now completely unknown. Councilman Tenzin, Avatar Aang's son and Airbender Master from the Air Temple Island denied that it was him or one of his children and promised to personally look into the matter. It is the third, unconfirmed until now, piece of information about new Airbenders popping up in Republic City. Are they members of some unknown Air Nomad Tribe that stayed hidden among us for generations only now to reveal themselves? If so, why did they choose this moment? Does it have anything to do with the Spirit Portals?
THE PROBLEMS GROW LIKE VINES!
Citizens of the Republic City have staged a protest outside the Council Building, demanding the government does something about the growing problem of the so-called "Spirit Vines". These enormous vines have burrowed their way to the surface, filling and taking over entire city quarters and forcing their denizens to move out. Schools, hospitals and storehouses are full of people who suddenly became homeless, with more on the way as the vines keep appearing in new parts of the city, often accompanied by spirits. Is this also a result of the Spirit Portals remaining active? Is it also the work of the Avatar? The authorities...
***
Lieutenant Tazaki watched as Amon put the newspaper on the table. For a long while there was silence.
"I wonder" the cloaked man in an iron mask said "if it really is the doing of the Avatar."
"I wouldn't be surprised" Hiroshi Sato, the wealthy industrialist and the biggest - if covert - supporter of the Equalist movement spoke. "This is something benders would do - change the world regardless of the consequences. Why would the Avatar be any different?"
"Yes" Amon spoke and despite his voice being calm, Tazaki could feel the fire and passion behind it. "The situation has changed drastically in our favour. Those poor people, forced out of their homes, need someone to be blamed for it... and it seems that rightly it is the Avatar. Lieutenant, you'd better prepare. I expect that we may have many new recruits joining our cause soon."
Lieutenant Tazaki bowed.
"Yes, sir."
"And the Avatar?" Hiroshi asked.
"From everything we know it seems the Avatar is a coward and as such she will remain safe in the White Lotus compound somewhere far from here." Amon spoke. "A distant godlike being, uncaring about how ordinary people suffer because of her choices. People will rally to our banners in outrage."
"And what if she... if this *Korra* decides to come to Republic City?" the fourth person in the room spoke. She was the youngest one among them and the newest in Amon's inner circle but they have all learned to respect her opinions.
"Asami, if Amon says..." Hiroshi shifted uncomfortably.
"No, my friend" Amon lifted his hand. "Asami is right to raise this. If Avatar comes... it will help our cause even more. I fear she won't find a welcome that she would have hoped for."