Crystalline

Prologue: The Beginning of the End

Tenzin was restless. It was unusual for the normally calm, patient airbender. He never got anxious or frustrated with his wife or children, he even never truly got too upset with Korra, the rough and rowdy Avatar of this age. But tonight seemed… unsettling. The air seemed to stir uneasily as he wandered the rather chilly shore of Air Temple Island.

He had awoken from an ominous dream that was no doubt contributing to his current uneasiness. Pema had tried to reassure him it was just a dream, but her soothing words seemed to bounce off of him. He had kissed her forehead and told her to go back to sleep before leaving the room they shared with their newest addition; another airbender named Rohan. He had checked on his daughters and his other son before heading out past the White Lotus guards and to the beach.

A breeze billowed past him, ruffling his beard somewhat as it went by. He closed his eyes, replaying the few images he could remember from his dream…

Korra being bested by a female bender of some sort…

Mako begging with the female, pleading for her to be merciful as the spirits began to tear the world apart…

The female turning her back on Tenzin, who lay writhing in pain, revealing…

The older man's eyes flared open, his breathing shallow as a fine sweat broke over his brow. He could not remember what he saw after the girl turned her back on him, but he knew it was important somehow. But he could not remember!

He finally gave up and began walking back to his house when a small cry hit his ears. He turned back to the water and saw a shape there… the shape of person. He called to the White Lotus Sentries and ran into the surf. He wrapped his arms around the body and pulled them back to shore where the White Lotus stood waiting.

Tenzin quickly laid the person, the girl, onto the sand and checked her breathing. She was miraculously still alive despite the subzero temperature of the water and the multiple wounds she sported. Her face was bruised and her lip was split, not to mention her tattered garments that revealed more bruises, even a deep gash down her side. Tenzin had seen this before…

The girl had most likely been raped. He didn't hesitate.

"Take her up to the dorms and give her a room. Make sure to start heating it immediately. Wake Pema and get some healers, even Korra, and bring them to help out." He ordered the guards, who nodded and acted quickly. Howl, the Guard in charge of Korra at one time, carefully pulled the girl into his arms and began jogging to the house. Tenzin debated on whether to call Lin and report the girl, but decided against it. He'd assess the girl's situation then he MIGHT call her. He quickly turned to his house and airbended a scooter-sphere, making short work of the trip. He checked on his children one more time before sprinting to the dormitories.

Pema was there with Rohan strapped to her back in his sling, and had already begun cutting away the last of the girl's clothes, laying towels over her to protect the girl's modesty. More bruises battered the girl's body, and Tenzin saw the bruises on the inside of her thighs and felt his blood boil.

"What's going on Tenzin?"

The Airbender Master turned to see a freshly awoken Korra. She looked annoyed and yawned widely, rubbing her blue eyes. Tenzin merely ushered her in and showed her the girl.

Gone was the annoyance and rugged attitude from the Avatar, who rushed forward and began talking with Pema. After she assessed the extent of the damage, Korra stepped up with the other healers and began their work. After they were done with the front, they gently turned her over and Tenzin froze.

The girl had several tattoos on her back that sent shivers down his spine.

The left of her spine: a boulder surrounded by globs of metal.

On the other side: A large tornado with leaves scattered inside it.

Down in the middle of the small of her back: a small inferno with bolts of lightning bordering it.

And finally, in between her shoulder blades: the symbol for water inlaid on a bed of ice crystals, streams of water SWIRLING and MOVING around it. The others gasped at the moving art piece on the girls battered back. Tenzin narrowed his eyes.

"We can admire the tattoos later! Let's finish healing her before she wakes up." He hissed, spurring the healers and Korra back into action. It was only a few minutes before dawn when they had healed most of the damage. The bruise on her face hadn't completely healed and the gash on her side was still slightly open and needed a bandage.

After they had settled her in and dressed her in a light robe and loose pants, Tenzin and Pema headed back to the house, Korra following closely behind. None of them would be able to sleep even if they wanted to.

"That tattoo…. I've never seen anything like it…" Korra gasped in amazement.

"Neither have I… its a little unsettling." Pema agreed, switching the sling to the front to check on the sleeping Liu.

Tenzin nodded in agreement. "It is very troubling. I'll try digging up some information on it." Something about that tattoo seemed very familiar, but he couldn't place it. He would go to the library on the island and do some more digging after the morning lessons and meditation.

"Korra."

He turned to the Avatar, who straightened up when she met his ebony gaze.

"I know you were supposed to go to the gym to begin practicing with Mako and Bolin, but I need you to watch our new guest." He stated sternly as they reached the sliding door of his home, earning a small pout from the Avatar.

Pema placed a hand on his shoulder. "Dear… Korra has been studying very hard ever since she returned to the city. Hasn't she earned a reward?" she pointed out, rubbing his shoulder in that convincing manner that he could never fight.

He sighed and slumped in defeat. "If she wakes up and is feeling all right, you can invite your team over and practice in the courtyard."

Korra's eyes lit up, the cerulean orbs glinting in the moonlight.

"But there are conditions! You must finish your lessons and meditations! And be sure you never let that girl out of your sight, even if you have to move her bed into the courtyard when you practice!" he added, unable to keep his stern face when Korra jumped eagerly like a little girl. His features softened and he smiled as he slid the door open and ushered his wife inside.

He turned to Korra and bowed slightly. "See you in 20 minutes, Avatar Korra. Go ahead and send a message to the gym at the radio station."

Korra, instead of bowing, embraced Tenzin in a tight hug. "Thank you, Master Tenzin." She said, holding him like she held her father, Tonraq. The son of Avatar Aang was still for a couple of seconds before returning the embrace, patting her back. She removed herself from him and ran to the radio station.

Tenzin turned into his house, the girl with the tattoos creeping back into his thoughts.

Who was she? And above all, was she a friend?

…Or a foe?