.: treasured memories :.
warning: major character death
Korra ran to catch Tenzin's body before he fell, struggling to cradle his tall limp body in her arms. "No. Please don't do this I need you." Korra pressed her face into Tenzin's neck.
"You can't leave me here by myself."
Korra could feel the tears freely falling down her face once she realizes that he's no longer breathing. That he's gone, leaving behind his wife, his children and her.
"All hail the mighty Avatar." Amon steps forward, he's clapping a slow mocking clap that sends Korra into a frenzy. The Lieutenant's kali sticks are glowing from the last blow he delivered to her counselor. It was a tough fight and in the end it was her carelessness that killed him. She didn't see him coming before it was too late. "How many people are going to have to die for you, until they see that you're not worth protecting. Let's take a count."
He was baiting her, but that didn't register in her mind, falling behind her anger. The wind around her was picking up, and she felt lightning flow through her veins. They would pay for what they had done. She would make them pay. She felt her feet leave the ground and suddenly all she could see was white starlight in front of her, fueling her rage.
Amon raises his hands in triumph, laughing maniacally at the destructive scene in front of him, his followers watch on in fear. "Yes, ignorant avatar child. Your final moment has come at last."
Korra can feel the walls building around her. The cool water washing over, the strong winds that breeze past and the earth that shields her. She is shaking under all of the power running though her. It's chilling and mesmeric at the same time. That one being can hold this much power. Could cause this much destruction.
Past the white light, that's almost blinding her, she can see people running away. The building next to her crashes down when her power slips away from her. Becomes too chaotic. Too uncontrolled. Korra doesn't know if she can find it in herself to care. These people had taken Tenzin from her, from his family, from a city that never learned to appreciate him until it was too late. They would be sorry. She will make sure of it.
#
Bolin runs into Mako, who has stopped to stare in tense consternation at the scene playing out before their eyes. It was horrifying. Mako can feel his scarf waving in the strong winds as a banner, his eyes are wide and fearful and his only thought is to stop her.
Tenzin has told Mako about the state before. It was a tense day; Korra had blindly run into a mission, in her usual way. Never thinking things through. That was the second time Amon let her go free. Telling her the time wasn't right. Korra was angry, trying to hide behind her fiery disposition. Mako could tell it was all an act. Her cerulean pools, framed by her lush eyelashes, were shining with inspiring fear and confusion.
Tenzin explained that the Avatar State was a defense mechanism, triggered in times of great danger or emotional turmoil. It was all-powerful except for one fatal flaw. If Korra was killed during it. That was the end of the Avatar; the world would be out of balance forever. Tenzin made Mako promise that if he ever saw Korra in the Avatar State that he would do everything to get her out. Mako promised him, that he would do anything to protect Korra and the Avatar legacy as a result.
Tenzin just smiled a small knowing smile before placing an arm on Mako's shoulder. Mako understood what he meant, Tenzin trusted Mako because he knew. He knew what Mako couldn't find the words to say.
Mako shields Bolin's body with his own. His feet turn and his fists rise to the side of his face when Amon regards them with a flippant look. They were worth nothing to him now; he had gotten what he wanted.
"You see this." Amon raises a gloved hand to the sky where debris was falling in Korra's wake. "This is the destructive power of bending. This is why all benders must be stopped. To prevent this."
Mako snorts sardonically, a weight lifting off of him when he realizes that Amon wasn't looking from a fight from the brothers. A fight Mako knew he would certainly lose. "You caused this. This is what you wanted."
"Yes. And when I kill the beast I'll be a hero. There will be a statue erected in my honor. And you people will be shunned forever. You will know what oppression really is." Amon turns on his heels smoothly and boards a long rope that suspended itself from an airship. "If you'll excuse me. I have some hunting to do."
Mako stared back to Korra. She had stopping moving, slowly turning around to face the airship moving towards her. She was going to fight them; she was going to lash out. Amon knows her every move before she can even think of making one, she was going to die.
"Get me up there." Bolin snapped his head towards Mako, his eyes wide, hair whipping around his face.
"Are you crazy?" Pabu sticks his head out from the inside of Bolin's shirt where he had taken refuge. Bolin whispers something to it and pushes him back down. "It's way too dangerous."
"She would do the same for us." Bolin looks down, knowing Mako is right, but still unsure. "I need to do this, Bo."
Bolin regards him silently for a moment. Mako wonders what could be racing through his head. Bolin surprises Mako by pulling him into a warm hug, that was meant to be a come back soon, but felt more like a goodbye. "Brace yourself."
Mako crouches on the ground and nods at Bolin. He feels the earth move underneath him, he can feel wind whipping through his hair, threading the strands with cold fingertips. Korra is almost too bright to look at when he reaches her. He hair moves through the wind like water down a river stream and her eyes are a brilliant shade of white-hot unrestraint.
"Korra." His voice sounds weak and unconvincing. Korra's head turns toward him, Mako pushes down his fear. This was Korra. His obnoxious, wild and blithe Korra. Who could lift him up with one arm and run with Bolin in the summer sunlight, without a care in the world.
"Korra, listen to me. You don't need to do this. We can beat him together. Think of the good times."
#
The small cries break her.
Jinora is huddled in a corner of the cage they had assigned her to, barely any room to move and only illumined by the moonlight that filers through cracks in the walls around her. There are jagged scars - burn torture - that seem to weight on Korra, to push her further into guilt. The disfigurements etched into her skin do little to mute the bright brilliance of the blue tattoos that wrap around her, acting as a cocoon for the small girl.
How long had it been? Since Korra's seen the young bright eyed girl she has come to love has her own sister. Korra resented the fact she never had siblings, no one to cause trouble with. No one to blame things on. Ikki, Jinora and Meelo, welcomed her into their troublesome trio with open arms. Korra can recall nights where Jinora brushed her hair and listened to her rant about boys for the umpteenth time, offering less than sound advice, with her limited knowledge in the sacred dance of romance (her words not Korra's).
Anger climbs through Korra, reaching for strings to pull, different buttons to press. The anger quells when she hears another heart wrenching sniffle materialize from Jinora's throat. Korra lowers herself to eye level with Jinora, groaning at the pain shooting through her side. Jinora's eyes are wild, panicked, terrified, her mouth poised for a scream, pushing herself back to the edge of the small space.
"It's me. Korra."
Jinora flinches back still; her scream is chilling and damaged, forcing Korra to close her eyes. Korra keeps her arm out listening to Jinora's screams, praying that she will take her hand.
#
Naga nuzzles Korra's face, moaning in pain.
"It'll be over soon, girl." Korra strokes Naga's face – pushing their noses together. "Just one more little push.
"Ewwwww!: Meelo runs in the opposite direction melodramatically, in typical Meelo fashion, when the last of the newborn polar-bear dogs are born.
The last one is the smallest in the bunch, the runt. When watching Naga's mother give birth to her, she was told the runt wouldn't survive, that it would grasp for life, not quite reaching it before it gave up the fight. Korra didn't believe her. Even from a young age she understood that you choose your own destiny. She asked for the smallest one to take for her own.
Her parents protested, but Korra was insistent. The runt would survive; even if she had to pull it up from the shadows herself. Korra pet Naga who has preoccupied herself with cleaning her pups. Korra picks up the smallest one, fighting to grab a bit of its mothers milk. Being pushed out by the others.
She walks over to Jinora who is watching the scene with one eye from the side, pulling her parka closer to her, a particularly harsh wind rushing past them in it's haste to pick up tuffs of snow from the ground.
"Here, this one is for you." Korra hands Jinora the puppy, who takes it out of surprise, her reflexes not allowing it to fall on the icy carpet underneath them.
"This is a polar-bear dog." Jinora is blinking in confusion, looking at Korra like she's mad. Korra was sure she had drawn that conclusion long before this conversation. "Airbenders don't keep polar-bear dogs."
"True. So that means you'll be the first won't you?" Korra places a bottle in Jinora's hands to feed the pup. "You'll be a legend. Kind of like me."
Jinora ponders the idea; the pup looks up at her with warm eyes that are seeing the world for the first time. She develops a strong urge to protect it, from everything.
"But, what if dad won't let me keep it."
"I'm sure I can convince him."
"Thanks Korra." Jinora cracks a small smile; so small Korra almost thinks she imagines it. Jinora hasn't smiled in months since they found her, after Amon broke her. Korra knows Jinora is strong and she will pull herself up. Korra puts an arm around her letting Jinora know that she will always be there to help her.
#
Korra's eyes soften a bit underneath all of her gorgeous chaos, her hands relaxing softly, one long slender finger after another. She was there. Under everything, the Korra he had come to know was inside fighting to get out. Her eyes that clawed their way into his thoughts were losing a bit of the vivid light that consumed her.
"That's good Korra. Think of everyone, of all your friends."
#
There was a sick thud that reverberated in her soul, feeling more than seeing Asami's body smack against the pavement. Pain didn't suit her perfect face, it looked foreign compared to her sweet joy and fierce determination.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you." The main square of the city was packed with people, all witnesses to her electrocution, all of them doing nothing to save her. "This girl is a traitor. She turned against her own now she's paying the price. And if you come against us, you will meet the same end."
The Lieutenant seemed to be looking straight at her, Korra feels naked under her disguise. He was looking right though her. Korra pulled at the crimson scarf she wore at her neck, smelling of sulfur and lemongrass. When the square cleared out, Korra leant next to Asami's body relieved that she was still breathing, but barely. She placed the soft piece of red cloth over her body, picking Asami up as if she weighed nothing.
Tenzin would be proud of her. She didn't attack blindly when she wanted nothing more to burn everyone who sat there and watched, including herself. He would be proud that she was learning the meaning of sacrifice, but Korra wondered at what cost would her lesson be.
How many more people would they hurt because of her?
#
Asami's hospital room is filled with flowers and various candies, some boxes already half eaten by Bolin before she gets there. It's been about a month since Korra has seen her. She couldn't bring herself to come, to see her like this. It wasn't until Mako yelled at her for being a coward. His golden eyes were wide and angry, Korra yelled too. She wasn't one to just sit there and take it even though she knew he was right.
So here she was, standing in the door awkwardly, a small fresh smelling bouquet of orchids in her hand. Asami told her they were her favorite, when Korra was on a mission to find out Asami's favorite flowers because Mako had forgotten and she was a wonderful friend that needed to help him save his relationship. Korra pushes the flowers down into a smaller vase, holding some roses. She sat down in a chair adjacent to her hospital bed, her fingers clasping together in her hand, twiddling her thumbs against each other.
How did Mako expect Korra to watch her frail body lie here? Clinging on to what little support her life had left. No, Korra didn't give Asami enough credit. That girl always seemed to surprise her. Asami was fighting for her life inside of her head. Somewhere under the layers of the coma state Korra knew she was kicking ass.
The doctor had told her that talking to her would help. Korra cleared her throat, dry with unsurity. It was worth a try.
"I crashed another moped today." Korra's voice is weak and her fists are clenched. "Mako made the mistake of letting me ride his. I've gotten better though. I can't wait for you to see me. I can ride by myself for a whole minute now."
Korra laces her fingers into Asami's unmoving ones, grasping them tightly. Korra chuckled remembering the memory.
"It was hilarious. I ran into some cabbage stand on the other side of town." Korra laughs her chest shaking, Korra doesn't know if it's from the laughter or from tears that are coming down her face. "You should have seen Mako's face. I think he wanted to burn me alive. It was priceless.
"Everyone in the city thinks racing is synonymous with destruction now." Korra places Asami's hand on her forehead, her elbows hitting the bed and her head bent. "That's why you have to wake up and show everyone what it's all about."
Korra's head lifts up slowly as she feels Asami's finger move, when her eyes reach her cherry red lips there is a small smile there. It's almost nothing, but it's something. Korra runs to tell the healer who rushes in a team, pushing Korra out of the room, leaving her anxiously pacing back and forth.
It took five long hours in that waiting room, until she heard some kind of news. Mako and Bolin had rushed to the hospital when she told them what she saw. Mako's mouth was pulled into a firm line, his fists clenching and unclenching next to him. Korra understood that he didn't want to give into false hope. Not again.
"She's awake." Before the healer could get another words out, Korra rushed past him, her image becoming a blur. There she was, sitting up slowly, her hair was matted and she was a bit pale. But she was here, she had won her fight.
There are tears running down Korra's face when she grabs her. She was back, she wasn't dead. She was here. Korra looked up to see Asami smiling at her; she felt a hand at her back.
"You've always been a horrible driver." Korra cried louder, a laugh finding it way through her tears. She pushed her face deeper into Asami's neck, holding on for dear life. She was never gonna let her go again.
#
There was her smile. Her brilliant smile, that danced though him. Touching his sprit. She was closer. He could almost reach out and touch her. Mako tries to push his hand past the barrier. The pain is pretty much unbearable and he can't take it, pulling his hand away from her elemental shield.
He was so close. The airship was gaining speed, ready for the final attack.
"Remember Korra. Think about Bolin."
#
Korra's feet burn, like the angry fire running through her. Tenzin was close behind her, steering her in the right direction. Korra kicked the door down, her eyes widening at what she saw. Bolin was suspended from the ceiling, being prodded at like an animal, they were laughing at his unrestrained screams, cackling at him, at his pain.
Korra felt wind pick up around her, lightning crackle beneath her psyche, they would pay. Her fire disappeared when she felt Tenzin's hand on her shoulder; he shakes his head at her. Not today. She could see it in his eyes.
Korra shot a fireball from her feet at the Lieutenant, charging him. He made a 'come on' motion with his gloved hands. She heard Tenzin taking out the other equalists and his fatherly voice emerging to calm Bolin's quiet whimpers.
"Stop." The voice was everywhere, echoing off the intercoms to slide across the whole room. Amon's voice reminded her of how the oil from Asami's satomobile felt against her skin, cold, slimly and disgusting. "Today is not the day."
The Lieutenant placed his kali sticks back into their place on his back. Jumping just out of her reach, smirking from his place at the door. "You're lucky he's not dead."
Korra frowns, shooting a quick fireball at the door while it closes. "His time will come, just like the rest of you disgusting benders. And when that time comes not even you will be able to spare him." His voice disappears, leaving a mark on her soul.
He was right. What kind of Avatar was she? Her friends would continue to get hurt for her and there was nothing that she could so to stop them.
#
The renovated arena didn't smell like home when she walked through it, she didn't get the same feeling when her fingers traced the patterns in the walls. It wasn't the same. Korra felt the mood, climbing up the ladder to the attic.
Bolin was on the couch, his face surprisingly stoic. Pabu was in his arms making weak sounds, nothing akin to the joyful squeaks she was used to from him, he was dying. Everyone's time came and went, nothing was forever. Except her, but even that seemed to be rushing to an end lately.
Korra was quiet when she sat next to him. Bolin was fighting back tears, he didn't want his pet's final hours to be in sadness. No, pet wasn't the right word. Pabu was more than a pet, he was an ally, who had gotten them out of more situations than she could count.
"Do you want me to try and heal him?" Bolin nods slowly. He was always the type to cling onto hope. Him and his brother were very different in that way. Bolin believed if there was a will there was a way, Mako was much smarter, too used to disappointment.
"I got this special water, from when I went on a trip to the North Pole. It's supposed to be able to heal anything."
Korra's face is illumined by the water's magic, her brow furred in determination. After a minute there are no more squeaks and it seems like the ferret's suffering has come to an end.
"Stop Korra." There are tears in Bolin's eyes, he's not holding them back anymore.
"No, I'm not giving up on him." Korra locks eyes with Bolin, smiling at him. "He wouldn't give up on you."
Bolin's eyes are wide in realization; he pets Pabu softly on his head. Whispering a song she thinks she remembers. She's heard Mako sing it before, to her, on one of her less successful raids. Korra doesn't think he knows she was awake. She just sat there with her eyes closed, there was a healing warmth in the song that she can feel again now, hearing Bolin sing it. He doesn't remember all of the words, but the heart is all there.
Pabu let out a squeak, running up Korra's shoulders. It was hard and Tenzin would be angry at her for using the water it had taken them weeks to get. She didn't care about any of that, it was worth it just to see the bright smile on Bolin's face again. Sadness doesn't suit him.
"You're awesome. You know that." He picks her up and spins her, Pabu holing onto her shirt so he doesn't fall off. "Like the awesomest person who ever awesomed."
Korra laughs at his antics. She loved his carefree nature, it kept her grounded. "You're pretty awesome too, Bo." Pabu licks her face as Bolin contuses to swing her through the air.
#
She smiles a brilliant smile that makes him weak in the knees right before she kicks him down to antagonize him. He can see salt water tricking down her face, the barrier around her is starting to weaken.
Mako can finally reach his hand in to touch her, her skin was cold and she stared into his golden eyes. He loved they way they fit together. There were occasions when he felt unsure going into this war. Would be really be of help? Was he good enough to stand beside her? She would silence his loud thoughts with just a brush of her hand against his. Letting him know that she knew he was there and she appreciated him. That she would want it no other way.
She conveyed it all in her soft touch; she never needed to look at him to let him know it would be fine. That she would make everything alright.
"We're here for you Korra." Mako placed her hand in between his palms, feeling the soft skin caress his callused hands. "You don't have to do this alone."
#
It was supposed to be a simple raid. They hadn't expected the ambush, the sheer force of the equalists to rain down on them. They were unprepared when they had spent months preparing. It still wasn't good enough.
Mako's head is heavy is in her lap, his unruly hair was pressed down to his face and his tears are doing nothing to wash away the blood. Even her own salty river was doing nothing to wipe it away. She wished it would wash away. That she could erase all of his pain.
Korra reached into her pockets for a vile of water, she had brought it for an emergency, one of her finer moments. Her fingers curled over the cork when his hand grasped around hers, she felt the desperation in his tease grasp before she saw it in his eyes.
"No." He pushed the small bottle back into her pelt pocket, groaning as he lay back down, squeezing his eyes shut in an effort to push down the pain. They were both covered in blood, none of which belonged to her. "You'll need it when you reach the top. He's going to have something waiting for you, you need every resource you have. Don't waste it on me."
"I'm sorry." Korra feels guilty. They didn't ask for this. This was the avatar's duty; this was her war, her fight to win. Or lose. "I'm sorry I dragged all of you into this."
Mako places a hand on her face smearing blood there, reminding her of all of their moments in quiet corners, or stolen touches, and their glances at each other when they knew no one was watching. She had chosen him as her unwilling partner in their dance a long time ago, but he still hadn't let go of her.
"I don't know if you know this, Avatar Korra." Mako starts, trying to smile for her as he struggles to pull her hand to his face, placing a soft kiss on her fingertips, sending electricity though her body. "But, I would die for you."
Mako coughs, more blood coming up into his fist. "Now go."
This place was foreign to her. Where she was unsure of herself and alone and vulnerable. All it took was a look from him and she knew it would be all right. That he believed in her, he trusted her with his life. Thought enough of her to sacrifice himself.
She saw Asami and Bolin in the distance, running to catch up to them. Asami knelt down next to Korra and gently pulled Mako's head into her lap, stroking his hair in slow comforting motions.
"I'll watch over him." Korra nods at Asami, before locking eyes with Bolin, fortitude etched onto her features.
They run off together and Korra hopes Mako will live. That he believes in her enough to live for her too.
#
She had heard of The Festival of Nations from her parents, Korra remebers being young and asking the White Louts Guards if she could go. To see the bright lantern lights, and to taste the food and to dance to the drum beat. They always said no. That it was too dangerous for a young Avatar to run wild and free with everyone else. Yet another normalcy taken always from her. She was never allowed to be a child. Too busy training to be a war machine.
She twirls in the Fire Nation clothes that Asami had gotten for her. Her hair was free, a small bum on top of her head. Korra thought it resembled a rat's nest but Asami insisted it looked good.
The festival was more than she could ever imagine. It was Fire Nation this year and Bolin says these are his favorite because they always give a good show. Pabu's small hat was falling off of him when Korra attempted to scratch him behind the ear, when he 'acquired' her some food from the snack vendors.
There was just so much to do. The bright lights blinded her and the dances with Bolin wore her out. She was sure they were doing it wrong, flailing their arms about instead of dancing with grace and poise unlike their counterparts. Korra loved every part of it.
Korra stood feet with apart, her tongue sticking out of her mouth, brows closed together in concentration. The mallet came down with a large bang, a loud ring sounding when it reached the top of the pole.
"We have a winner. Alright, sweetheart pick your prize."
Korra turned to Bolin, who is surveying the selection, pricked with indecisiveness.
"Hmm, what about this one? No that one. Never mind this one." He shakes his head and puts the panda-cat back on the self.
"Just pick one please." Mako rubbed his temple in exasperation, he knew the routine well. "We don't have all night."
"Fine, fine." Bolin sticks his tongue out at his brother like a petulant child. "I'll pick this one." Bolin picks up a red stuffed animal, that bared a strong resemblance to the ferret on his arm.
The plush toy didn't last long after Pabu sunk his teeth in it, ripping it off of Bolin's other shoulder. Korra laughed at Bolin's shocked face, Pabu moving to lay where the toy had previously been.
"Somebody's jealous." Bolin pets the top of Pabu's head and assures him that he'll never be replaced.
Fireworks were always so beautiful, it was as if you could touch them, catch some of their brilliance in your palm, but they disappeared before they got too close. It was a plethora of colors, some Korra has never even seen before. She had never experienced anything like this back home.
She turned to her right – regretting it immediately. Mako and Asami were cuddled together, awe on their faces. There was no contest. She had lost the battle before it even started. Why would you pick her brash, obnoxiousness over Asami's beautiful smile and generous disposition? Some masochist part of her wouldn't let her move on, hope that some crevice of his heart still beat for her.
Korra laughs at Pabu who has taken refuge in Bolin's jacket, the fear of explosions stopping him from enjoying the show.
Korra's heart stopped when she felt Mako's hand thread through her own, squeezing them, a warm flutter weaving through her body. Everyone else disappears, like they never existed. She looks at him from the corner of her eye. He hasn't looked away from the fireworks, but she can see a smile on his face when he rubs his thumb against the top of her hand.
Maybe there's hope for her yet.
#
Mako can finally reach out for her, the shield fully weakened. Tears are flowing down her face. He pulls her against him; his hear skips beat when she falls into his arms, everything else falls away.
"Every one of us will fight for you. We all love you." He whispers to her, "I love you." And he does, it snuck up on him. Just like everything else about her.
Mako hears screaming behind him. The airship has finally reached them; he pulls Korra's body closer.
"Kill her now." Amon grabs a kali stick from his second in command pointing it at he two, ready to shoot Korra in the back.
There is never a moment of hesitation, it all seems to happen in slow motion. Mako turns them around using his body to shield her from the electrical shock. Her eyes fade back to their brilliant blue as he starts to scream. Her eyes are wide and fearful, when the power finally runs out and his body falls limp against her.
The airship is close now, closer enough for her to reach out and shoot it down. The ship swerves in the air before slamming into a building. Causing a huge explosion. Korra hopes that this is the end, but something tells her it can't be that easy.
When they are back down on the ground she tries to turns Mako around in her arms trying to shake him awake. There is blood so much blood. She's drowning in it, it wraps around her reminding her of her failure.
"You can't die on me." Korra pleads, shaking her head in denial. "I still have to beat you in that street race."
Mako manages a laugh, "Thank sprits I've saved you some embarrassment right."
"Shut the hell up Mako." Korra frowns. "Bolin get help please, do something." Everyone had left the area because of the commotion and there was no water anywhere. There was no hope.
Bolin stood with his head down, shoulder shaking uncontrollably. Pabu licking tears from his face.
Mako's hand fits perfectly with hers, they fit like a matched set. "I told you I would die for you." As if he had just one a bet, like someone was calling his bluff.
Korra presses their lips together for the first time since their first kiss a year ago. She kisses him until she feels his fingers go limp in her arms. Placing her forehead on his, her body juddering, rocking herself back and forth, trying to quell her pain.
She screams feeling her heart break apart. The pain is almost tangible, she can reach out and touch it. She grips his body closer to her, her screams rising in volume.
They stood their drowning in their sorrows for what seemed like an eternity. Korra screamed until her voice gave out. There between her mentor, more like her second father, and the love of her life that she fought heaven and hell to protect. Both of them lay motionless around her. With all of the strength and knowledge of the world, she was still powerless to protect the people who stood by her. The people who gave their lives up for her.
She didn't feel like she was worth it.