The Legend of Korra: Amon's Resurrection
Book One: Rehabilitation
Chapter One: Lost
Present
The cold arctic wind whistled in the air, similar to an owner's beckoning call to his Polar bear dog, while the beautiful, yet murderous snow rained viciously, and consistently down upon me as if it were punishing me for my past mistakes. I looked up eyes heavy from the freezing temperature, and pondered thinking back on past events which would seemingly be the cause of my irrefutable death.
"Mmn" I groaned. Feeling the icy tears of the Heavens rain down upon me. I stood up, wide eyed in awe at what lied before me.
"W-where the hell am I..?"
There were no directions, no sense of right or wrong. I walked on every single step, my body gradually getting weaker, and weaker, I could feel my life slowly, but surely slipping away into death's cold domain. I continued to walk, I had no choice, I clung to life itself, I wanted to live, I had to live. So I walked on..
I continued my freezing journey through this unknown, icy, man-devouring tundra, my limbs frozen from the inside only barely moving onward through sheer willpower alone. I felt myself reach the end of my journey, I inhaled my final breath, taking in the air of my environmental killer, I then exhaled, causing my previously taken breath to become visible from the climates below zero temperature. Moments later my vision departed from me, causing my surroundings to become a blur, my knees soon after buckled reaching their breaking point. I collapsed.. This was my dying moment.
Past
I looked up, gazing maliciously at the masked man known as Amon, the Equalist's Leader. This man, this symbol of Equality protruded a mysterious, and fearful aura as if his cold stare penetrated my soul, killing me slowly from within.
"You don't scare me." I lied, as every bone in my body trembled at the sight of this man's presence.
He then spoke..
"You do not have to fear me child, no it's quite the opposite. Embrace me, acknowledge me, I am not here to bring upon harm. My sole-purpose is to create a world of Equality, by cleansing the sins that benders such as yourself have committed consistently through the ages." Amon made a hand gesture toward the Lieutenant ordering him to bring forward something. Moments later, the Lieutenant came back offering a small beat-up leather book with the four nation symbols on the cover.
"This is the history of our world. The world once did possess Equality." Amon preached, opening the book, then flipping through several pages until he came onto a stern stop. He then proceeded to read the context of the book.
"The Lion Turtles had the ability to grant citizens the power of elements so that they could protect themselves in the Spirit Wilds, but upon returning the citizens would have to give back the previously borrowed power." he continued to read on. "Then a citizen known as Wan who would later become the first Avatar was exiled from his home for his treacherous acts upon the villages richest inhabitants with power granted by the Lion Turtle. This is what started inequality between man. The abuse of the Lion Turtle's generosity."
Amon gently placed his thumb onto my forehead, then began reading once again. "The Avatar created an imbalance in this world. Man, and woman looked up to the Avatar as if the title was as prestigious, if not equal to God: "Humans were created Equal", yet where is this Equality?!" Amon shouted seemingly getting angry at his previous question.
"Today is the day you shall be purified, the day in which you shall look at life through new eyes."
I felt not only my body, but my mind spinning causing me to become nauseous, and my body to feel as heavy as a boulder, then light as a feather feeling if my body had just been relieved of a thousand burdens. The room kept spinning, my head throbbed with severe pain comparable to having your skull crushed.
"STOP!" I yelled in agony struggling to bring my hands to my aching temple in an effort to console the pain. Amon then moved his hands as if he were pulling my ability to bend from my very soul, moving his arms in a fluidly tugging motion.
"AGHH!" I screamed once again, the pain becoming even more unbearable, as if he intentionally were torturing me, giving me a slow, and painful event to remember.
He then stepped back. "Your bending is no more. You've been ridden of all your sins, look at this world for what it truly is, in the eyes of those who were not blessed with the power of bending, people who are now treated as low class citizens!"
I stared wide eyed at the man who had just passed judgment on my very soul. Emotionless, dull, as still as a Koi fish's pond in the midst of the night. I pointed my hand at Amon, jutting it forward several times in an effortless attempt to firebend. The Lieutenant then stepped forward, staring in my direction with a grudge-filled smirk.
"Amon, as second in command of the Equalist, I'd like this criminal to pay for his treacherous acts in regards to trying to assault an Equalist Leader." referring back to several hours ago when he forcefully took me as hostage.
"And the punishment?" Amon questioned.
The Lieutenant quickly answered back. "Exile.."
Present
"Hey everyone look! A dead guy..!"
"Step away from that!"
"I-I'm not dead. Well.. I don't think.." I managed to mutter.
I opened my eyes, to be greeted by a multitude of vibrant bright colors. My eyes wandered to the sky inhabited by several flying creatures from dragon-like birds, to dragonfly-like bunnies, quickly averting my vision from the sky to the ground. It all was nothing short of magnificent, how everything seemed to compliment the other, the word perfection would be an insult to this beautiful place.
"Would you like some tea? I make the greatest tea that's ever existed here! Then again there aren't any tea makers here. I still am the greatest though!"
I turned my gaze to the warm, and welcoming voice. To my surprise my eyes met an old man protruding a peaceful aura, I felt safe just being in his presence. He reached his arm out, gesturing me to come forward, then moved his other arm, and pointed to a table occupied by what looked like spirits of multiple colors.
"I don't know what to make of the situation. I'm confused, frightened, questionable, and more. If I may ask, your name?" I said, while taking a seat.
"I am Iroh, Uncle of Fire Lord Zuko, and previously holder of the Grand Lotus title within the White Lotus, and you my boy?" Iroh answered.
"Cormac. I'm not entirely sure how I came to end up here. Last I remember I was stranded in an arctic environment, then passing out. Where exactly am I, and how did I get here? Am I dead?" I asked.
"Cormac? What an interesting name. Did you know a long-lost legend once said: "A name's meaning holds somewhat truth as to what happens in the near future in regards to the bearer.", but it's only a simple legend. No one believes those things anyway." he laughed, sipped his tea, then began talking once again.
"You're in the Spirit World. Home of the Spirits, as to how you've arrived here, I cannot answer that reassuringly. However, you do not seem knowledgeable about the Spirit World, so you must have come into contact with something bountiful in spiritual energy. It is possible that you've suffered a premature death. Yes, that would be the most logical possibility." said Iroh, pouring, then passing me a cup of tea.
"Drink. It'll soothe your nerves." he said.
Iroh, and I continued to talk for what seemed like hours about topics ranging from Spirits, to his past life traveling the world with Fire Lord Zuko, to legendary benders. This man was different from anyone I had ever held a conversation with, he was smart, idiotic, funny, serious, and more, all cramped together in this wise, old man. Then he asked a question. Something I had been trying to forget ever since it happened.
"Are you a bender?" he asked.
"Not anymore.. My bending was taken from me." I replied hanging my head dejectedly in shame at my response.
"What an unfortunate event. However, bending isn't everything. I once knew a man who defeated a hundred benders with not the power of the elements, but the power of his heart, soul, and sword." Iroh said putting his hand on my shoulder.
I knew he had only said that in efforts to comfort me, but I also knew it wasn't a lie. From the little time spent talking to this man, it seemed as if I had known him my whole life, he was the closest thing to a friend I had ever gotten in my seventeen years of life.
"You might not believe this, but the closing of one door, opens up many more." he removed his hand upon my shoulder, swinging his hand in the air beckoning for something in the sky to land. Seconds later, a golden dragon-bird spirit landed next to him, nudging its head onto his lap awaiting his hand to caress its scaled temple.
"Good boy, good boy." he told the Dragon-bird as he gently rubbed from its scaly forehead, down to its neck, slightly moving his fingers in between its bird-like wings."
"Listen to me Cormac, the Spirit World is a place of vast knowledge that predates back to ancient times, even before the Avatar's existence. Someone as troubled as you could benefit from this knowledge, so that you may strive onward onto a new path."
"I want you to visit Wan Shi Tong's Library, a few distances away from here in the forest. Tell Wan Shi Tong, Iroh sent you. This Dragon-bird will guide you there safely."
"I've been here way to long already, I must get back to my body in the real world, if I'm not already dead." I replied.
"Spirit World, and Real World time are vastly different. An Hour in the Spirit World is equivalent to a second in the Real World." Iroh then stepped back, allowing the Dragon-bird spirit to come forward. The magnificent creature glared at me with an emotionless gaze as if it were looking intently through me, right into my very soul.
"Some say the Dragon-bird spirit can look into the deepest parts of ones soul, and determine their true intentions."
"Is that so?" I replied not breaking my gaze with the spirit.
"Some also say the bond between a man, and Dragon-bird reach beyond that of the psychical, and spiritual realms."
I walked forward reaching out with kind arms to the spirit, welcoming it to retaliate my actions. As I crept closer, the spirit mimicked until its head was nudged into my arms silently cooing, I could feel the gentle vibrations of its breath hitting my forearms.
"He likes you." Iroh stated with a big smile on his face.
The Dragon-bird spirit then lowered its head, similar to how a student would bow in the presence of his master. I took this as a sign of respect, loyalty, and partnership sliding my hands from its temple to its scaly spine climbing atop of this massive creature's back.
I turned my gaze back to Iroh, who was once again pouring tea, and serving it to several of the spirits occupying his table. "Thank you" I said. "Thank you for everything Iroh."
"Do not dwell on the past, think only of the future. Clear your conscious, and accept what has happened in your life. A troubled mind, is a weak mind." he replied. Turning his back one last time to greet me with his heart-warming smile, and to bestow upon me those wise parting words. Iroh then mouthed the word: "Go."
...
The Dragon-bird spirit lifted its head, flapped its wings, and soared high into the colorful skies. It then dived at high speeds into the spirit world's giant forest. As the spirit flew, a giant fog emerged out of nowhere, engulfing the Dragon-bird spirit, and I. The spirit then dissipated into hundreds of tiny particles floating up, and out of the fog leaving me alone, and trapped in this endless cloud of a prison.
I hit the ground, landing back first, then hitting my head on the rocky terrain passing out from the impact.. I slowly came to, opening my eyes, to be greeted by a crowd of Equalist soldiers all wearing the mask of Amon, staring in my direction emotionless, without a sign of life.
"W-what is this?!" I screamed out in terror, and fear not wanting to accept this as reality.
One of the Amons stepped forward, reaching out to touch my forehead, I viciously pulled back, but it seemed the more I struggled, and tried to move back, the closer I would get, until his hand connected to my forehead.
"You shall now be ridden of your impurity, become the first to experience life in new eyes." Amon preached. Forcefully pulling his hand away from my forehead as he did before causing my head to ring with the same pain I once had experienced.
"No! This can't be real, you're not real!" I screamed swatting my hand forward causing Amon to vanish. I caught my breath severely hyperventilating, and sweating from the mental taxation I had just suffered. I stood up, legs shaken from interaction with the man I feared most slowly walking onward into the thick foggy prison.
Amon then appeared before me again, but this time his hands were behind his back, and his head was turned down. He then looked up towards me.
"Fight for what you believe in. Equality cannot be achieved without determination, and drive!" Amon said running at me with full force sending several quick paced jabs my way. Still shaken from my previous mind-boggling experience, I was slow to react blocking a few hits aimed at my chest, and enduring several more in my shoulder, stomach, and ribs. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I screamed launching a punch at Amon, only to have him vanish once again.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!" I yelled into the endless fog. I ran, trying to find the exit in this foggy hell, stepping forward only to be tripped seconds later by a foot which vanished quickly after falling face first into the once rocky terrain, now slippery, and sticky mud. A hand grabbed my head, tugging me upwards. I turned to look at the person, with wide, bloodshot eyes from the consistent stress of the situation, and quickly figuring out who I was eye to eye with.
"How.. How are you here. You're supposed to be in Republic City! You're in my head, get out of my head!" I yelled shaking my head wildly in confusion.
"You fear me, your mind cannot accept what happened months ago causing turmoil not only physically, but mentally." Amon's face then turned to Irohs.
"Accept what has happened. Remember, when one door closes, many more open." Iroh's face then shifted back into Amons.
"Accept it." Amon said, as he multiplied into two.
"Accept it. Accept it. Accept it. Accept it. Accept it!"Amon's voice echoed gradually becoming louder, and louder second after second he'd multiply until hundreds of Amon were surrounding me shouting for me to accept what had happened.
"I KNOW!" I closed my eyes, and shouted. "My bending is gone, and I realize this. I just can't come to terms with being a nobody, I'm useless! You talk about being equal, but equality will never come!"
I opened my eyes, the army of Amons, the fog, my bruises all no where to be seen. I stood up from the ground, putting my head in my hands yelling into them out of frustration. What is happening to me?! Why?! I then focused my gaze toward the sky, it had shifted into a cool, and calm violet-pink, the Dragon-bird spirit was no where to be seen. I sighed in relief, but also confusion in regard to what had just taken place.
"So are you going to run away from your problems, or face them head on?" a familiar voice asked.
"You're a figment of my imagination, you're not real. Begone!"
"Oh, but I am very real, Cormac." Amon replied, appearing behind me then touching my shoulder.
"How are you here?! Why did you just torture me moments ago! What do you want from me!" I cried in anger, shoving him away from me still believing it was a mindless joke being played on me by my mind.
"You were engulfed within the Fog of Lost Souls, those who are imprisoned within the fog encounter their worst fears, only capable of escape through acceptance. As to what I'm doing here? That's quite simple. I experienced death, knowing it was inevitable I projected my soul into the spirit world hoping you'd make your way here sooner or later."
"Waiting for me? Explain everything to me Amon!"
"This will take awhile.." he said moving his arm in an upward motion, two chairs then appeared in front of us. "The spirit world responds to emotions, and mental stability. Anything is possible here." he then took a seat, and told his story from the very beginning.
...
"So the Avatar defeated you, outing you for being Noatak, son of Yakone, the Bloodbender. You then escaped with your brother Tarrlock, who performed self homicide taking both your, and his life to end the bloodline of Yakone." I summarized his story.
"Correct. My brother Tarrlock was never one to look deep into the future, he only thought of the present. What he, and Avatar Korra did that day ruined the Equalist's Revolution, returning imbalance to the world. People don't understand, that in every age, and era bending was the cause of war!" he shouted.
"The end of bending would be capitalization upon the worlds problems as a whole! Especially in regards to war, and politics!" Amon insisted causally moving his hands while he talked, emphasizing his passion for the cause.
"You asked me why I had chosen you earlier, I didn't choose you, if anything destiny or perhaps deep down in your confused conscious you wanted to be here standing before me. When I first started the Equalist Revolution I knew I'd be killed sooner or later, death is an inevitable factor with change." Amon stood up, beginning to walk back and forth between his chair, and mine.
"Listen Amon, I understand what you're saying, but to think that one man ca-"
"No!" he abruptly interrupted me. "One man can't change the world alone you're correct however, what do you think Amon is?!" he questioned me in a fierce, lecturing tone.
"Amon is a symbolism of Equality, not man nor woman! One follower becomes a hundred, a hundred becomes a thousand, and thousands soon become millions! You will never be alone in this world as long as there's someone capable of believing, someone who possesses the freedom to speak their mind, and voice their ideologies!
"WHAT CAN I DO?!" I angrily stood up from my seat shouting in Noatak's face.
"I can't do what you did! I'm powerless, I have no bending, I don't know the Arts of Chi-Blocking, I know nothing! I'm not you Noatak!"
"If there's a will there's a way, become Amon, and I will teach you the Art of Chi-Blocking.. As well to regain your long-lost capabilities to bend the elements."
I was taken by surprise at his statement: "Teach me to bend? Again?" shaking my head in utter disbelief at his asinine claim.
"H-how could you possibly restore my bending?!" I desperately questioned.
"It's as I previously stated. If there's a will, there's a way! Now your answer?! Will you become Amon, a symbol for Equality severing all ties to what you once believed was reality?! Will you live, and be ready to die for the soul purpose to make a difference, a much needed change in this disgusting, vile, prejudice world in the name of Equality?! GIVE ME YOUR ANSWER!"
At that moment I wasn't to sure on the whole becoming Amon, living, and dying for Equality idea, only focusing my attention on restoring my bending. I closed my eyes, and began to think on my answer to Noatak's question, to only be interrupted seconds later by several Amon faces constantly popping into my thoughts.
"Rid this world of its prejudice."
"Equality must be restored!"
"Don't you want your bending back?!"
"Become Amon!"
"Alright!" I shouted opening my eyes, to be greeted by Noatak reaching out for me to take his hand in a mutual agreement, that I'd shoulder the burden of becoming Amon.
"I shall take your place. As Amon.."
Author's Note
A/N #1: Exactly how Noatak was defeated/died canonically in The Legend of Korra is what took place in his story to Cormac. So I skipped over all of that.
A/N #2: I hope you all will enjoy/did enjoy Chapter One, of Book One. Please leave comments, and feedback!