It had been a busy four days. First they discover a rouge bloodbender has been hunting down and eliminating Red Lotus members, including the grand Lotus himself. Then Kuvira some how escapes confinement without a trace. Suyin and Baatar Jr. vowing to hunt her down themselves, and to top it off, ten more White Lotus members had disappeared without a trace. Korra didn't want to jump to conclusions but it all seemed a little to convenient to be a coincidence. The truth seers that Zao Fu sent a few days back had questioned the remaining members but yielded nothing.
Her personal problems seemed minuscule compared to these endeavors. Korra hadn't talked to Asami since the day she left and felt a yearning in her heart. A good sign she guessed, only hoping her other half felt the same. On a lighter note, the voice hadn't reoccurred since Korra left, Maybe due to stress? She thought.
She had spent the better part of the day with Mako, Lin and Tenzin finishing the interrogations, opting to leave the Kuvira problem to the Earth Union. It was late in the evening and she had elected to do some much needed meditation. Maybe some time with the spirits would calm her busy mind.
Korra found a quiet little spot on the beach of air temple island, parking herself on an outstretched rock. She drew a deep breath after assuming the position. Only the sound of the gentle waves and mixture of wildlife rittled the air. The sounds slowly faded and Korra was transported to this worlds beautiful counter part.
Her eyes opened to find a familiar place. It was a forest populated by massive spirit pines, these were twice the width and nearly three times the height of the ones found in the materiel world. But several things were horribly wrong.
The air was cold and dry; the temperature in the spirit world varied wildly and often reflects the emotions of the humans around. For example, where ever Asami and Korra went was warm and pleasant, a reflection of their new found love. The bark and trunks were beginning to decay, the ground was splintered and the undergrowth had shriveled up dead, with no spirits in sight. This felt ominous.
"Hello? Spirits?" She asked, hoping for a response.
"Korra!?" a familiar voice asked from behind.
She spun, "Jinora!" Kai was in tow. "Weeelllll, what could you two possible be doing here? Hmmm?" Korra implied with a sly grin.
The young master blushed, "Nothing like that Korra, jeessh!"
"Not after her dad caught us last time." the boy laughed but was quickly stifled by a jab from his girlfriend. "Ow! Well its true."
"Ahhh, I remember being at that tender age of love and discovery." Jinora was a crisp sixteen, nearly Korra's age when she first arrived in the city. "When did you get so good at meditation Kai?"
"What can I say, I've got an excellent teacher." He added, forcing a blush from the girl.
"What are you doing here?" asked Jinora.
"Well I was hoping to find some peace and quiet, but I found this instead." Korra motioned to the pines.
The duo approached, "What happened?" Kai asked, prodding at one of the dead trunks.
"No clue, they were like that when I got here. No spirits either."
Jinora investigated further, "This doesn't look good. I've seen plants wilt and turn darker shades with overwhelming negative emotion, but never die. I didn't even know spirit plants could died."
"You still read about this kind of stuff?" Korra felt guilty asking. She spent so much time with the young air bender she should have known.
"Yeah, but nothing about this sort of thing."
Korra firmly planted her face in her open palm, scolding herself. "Maybe Raava would know something. Gaahhh, I can't believe I didn't think of this before." Without entering a traditional position, she simply touched her fists together near her center. This had finally become second nature to her. Korra took a slow breath before exhaling.
Instead of the soothing glow of the spirits symbol and the signature eye glow, the Avatar was met with something much more horrifying. Her mind went black and an image flashed in her mind, to quick to register great details but slow enough to gauge and idea. It looked like a pale woman with long light colored hair, falling into a pit, all while screaming. At the same moment, Korra's body was rocked with pain. She buckled, struggling for air.
"Korra, what's wrong!?" Jinora and Kai rushed to their friends side.
"I-I don't," another sharp wave of pain radiated from a fist sized spot in her core. The Avatar agonized before being torn from the spirit world and wrenching her eyes open in the physical.
She gasped for air before falling hard off the perch into the moist sand. Korra struggled to her knees, no longer wailing like a fish out of water. The pain was gone, only the discomfort from the fall.
Confused would be a mild way of putting it. "Please, please not this again." she cursed. Her mind quickly reverted back to four years ago. The cave chamber with the Red Lotus. The poison being forced through her skin. The feeling of utter helplessness and violation. Korra shook her head, dismissing the nightmares. No, this pain was different. The metallic toxin was more of a cool burning that slowly crept threw her form, robbing her of motion and causing hallucinations. This pain was sharp, swift, and intense. Not to mention how quickly it vanished. Like an explosion.
Korra was struggling to her feet when she heard it, a menacing laugh that vanished just as quickly as it came. It seemed to echo threw the open air as if in a chamber. It was the voice that had haunted her existence for the past few days. The brave woman felt her refined courage eroding away, breaking out into a cold sweat.
Jinora's voice sang from the bend of the cove, "Korra!? Korra are you alright!?" They must have been on the island too. Jinora's skills of detecting energy had reached their peek, she could find anyone, anywhere in seconds as long as she knew them personally.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Again with the lies. Korra knew she could trust them, all of them. But still she felt the need to hide. It almost felt as though she wasn't the one speaking, almost like something was advising her, guiding her actions and thoughts.
The laugh rang out again, this time imitating from the sea. No need to search, Korra now knew the source, her mind.
Dinner was active and they were much larger since the air nomad population erupted since harmonic convergence. Most of the chatter was about recent events and discussing wether or not Korra was a target. The three explained everything that transpired a few hours earlier to Tenzin, debating if it had any correlation. Bumi tried to lighten the mood with a story about saving helpless villagers from from a spirit possessed platypus-bear. Bolin and Opal had wonderful news regarding their new partnership with Future Industries.
Asami, she thought. Korra had wanted to call. Had this been a good idea? I wonder if she thought the same way?, were just a few thoughts that raced through her mind. She reached for her drink, Nah, that bitch has probably moved on by now. Her hand crashed into the nearly full glass, spilling the liquid onto Opal's lap.
"Ahh!" she yelped.
Attention was awkwardly drawn to Korra. "Sorry Opal, my bad!" she quickly bent the water out of the fabric and back into its container.
"No, no its ok." she laughed. The rest of the group continued with their simple banter, but Opal took notice of Korra's obvious distress. "Are you ok?" She had often accompany Asami and Korra for an occasional girls night. It was good for them to take some time once a in awhile for some well deserved rest and relaxation. After all one being the President of a multi-billionyeuon company, one the head of a national relief organization and the last the Avatar, no one would argue against it.
"Yeah, just tired."
"You talk to Asami yet?" She pried.
Her mind reversed back to what she heard herself think, "No, not yet." Korra placed her napkin and dinnerware onto her half eaten plate. "I think I'm gonna hit the sack for the night."
Opal heard the story of what happened earlier in the spirit world and assumed, "Ok, but if you need anything you know where to find me." she caught Korra's arm on her way to the kitchen, "Ok?"
She forced a smiled paired with a light hearted laugh, "Ok, Opal."
"Goodnight Korra."
She left to the kitchen without returning the favor.
A few minutes later Korra returned to her quarters to gather some cloths for a shower, then entered the bathroom. Maybe the warm liquid would help calm her nerves. She turned the faucet to just over half.
Steam filled the room while the avatar undressed rigidly, feeling as though she had a pair of eyes glaring from just out of sight. A feeling Korra couldn't shake the entire evening. She stepped in a few moments later, letting it sooth her tension away.
"Koooorra?" her shoulders tightened. "What's wrong girl?" It mocked.
She placed both palms against the front tile of the shower, leaning at a slight angle allowing the water could roll down her back. Why is this happening? Why now? It had to be connected, there's no way this is a coincidence? Korra thought, staring intently at her bare feet. She waited a few more minutes before washing, hesitating to see if the voice had anything else to say.
Korra stopped the flow of water and snatched the towel she perched on the side of the shower. The tiled floor was still damp from ten minutes of steam. Normally she would bend most of it off the floor and out of the air before emptying it into the sink, but elected against it tonight. Drying always felt like a chore too, but Korra had that done in minutes before using the towel to wipe the condensation from the mirror.
After finishing her final routines, Korra left the bathroom leaving the door open behind her. She could still hear faint talk from down the hall, indicating the rest of the inhabitants were still up and about. No one else seemed to have left yet, leaving Korra alone in the hallway. It only took her a quick walk to reach her room at the end of the second corridor. Just a few inch's from the door she heard it...the rattling of chains.
Korra's heart dropped. "...no."
The chains chimed again, "Oh yes Korra."
She slowly turned in dread, hoping beyond hope it wasn't the specter who had haunted her relentlessly for nearly two years.
"No, no, NO!" She pressed her back against the door hard, shaking uncontrollably.
It was the visage of her horrid form; the matted hair, the sweat stained cloths, the singing chains. Only this time there were several key differences making it far more menacing than her most vivid nightmares. It's eyes weren't glowing in the ominous darkness that seemed to creep down the hallway as it stalked, and she was smiling a toothy grimace. Almost as if taking sadistic pleasure in Korra's terror.
She panicked, scrambling through the sliding door to her room, slamming it behind her in disgust. She slowly backed away, keeping her guard up in case it tried to enter.
"What's the matter girl?!" It came from directly behind.
She turned in a flash to meet her reflection eye to eye, mere inch's from its soul crushing gaze. Korra's color faded as she fell to the ground. It's eye's were the most horrid thing she'd ever seen and the image would be permanently burnt into her mind. They were blood shot, the whites stained a dark yellow and the pupils dilated far beyond there normal limits.
They locked gaze for over a minute, Korra unable to force anything but a few unpleasant noises passed her lips.
However, the doppelganger just starred intently as if trying to pry her soul from its shell, with a grin that would curdle milk. It's voice matched hers perfectly, "Not happy to see me?"
She scrambled to her feet and taking a firm stances. Clenching her eyes, Korra searched her body for any remnants of the metal toxin. "Why? Why does this keep happening to me?" Her voice bled into panic, "I thought I got all the poison!?"
"You did." It hissed. "Oh, I see."
Korra froze, her body aching with anticipation. Refusing to drop her guard even while talking to a shadow. "S-see what!?" she barked.
It cocked it's head like a curious dog, "You still think I'm from the poison, or your silly trauma."
This phantom kept mocking her, "What the hell are you talking about!?"
"Korra!?" Ikki yelled while frantically banging the door.
The last of her courage faded as the visage motioned for the door, "Better get that, Korra."
Korra hesitated, opting to back towards the door rather then take her eyes off her visitor. "What is it Ikki?"
"I brought you a piece of cake, I noticed you didn't eat much but i figured you might want it for later."
The young girls thoughtfulness seemed to light a fire in the Avatar. Diverting her attention for a moment. "One second." The stalker was gone when she turned back giving her a false sense of hope. "Hey." she said sliding the door open.
"Here," Ikki enthusiastically presented the extra large piece, "It's chocolate. We had chocolate, vanilla, lime, lemon, and angel food. But I saved you chocolate because I know that's your favorite." she was twelve but still had a tendency to speak a million words a minute. "You ok? Thought I heard you yelling?"
Korra slowly took the treat, careful to hide her expression. A trick she had reluctantly mastered as of late. "Nope, just been having some trouble sleeping. Figured I'd try a little earlier tonight. Thanks for the cake though."
"Your welcome!" The pre-teen chirped, scratching the tiny squirrel on her shoulder in just the right spot. "Come on Meme, time for some night flying with uncle Bumi. G'night Korra." she said before skipping away.
"Goodnight Ikki. Be careful." Korra paused in the hallway before slowly forcing herself back inside.
Korra placed the cake on the night stand next to the bed before frantically searching any place something could possible be lurking. She even searched any shadow that seemed out of place.
Feeling defeated, Korra finally collapsed onto her bed back first. She thought hard if it were even a good idea to rest. If this thing was lurking in her psyche, what would happen if she fell asleep?
She debated before finally deciding to attempt something bold. I'm not letting this damn thing control me! Korra thought with a new found vigor. It was a gamble she was willing to take it, assuming the classic monks position. Taking in one final, cleansing breath before attempting to contact Raava for the second time.
The ambient noise of the house faded slowly, a good sign. She felt her form beginning to lift freely into open space, another good sign. Korra opened her eyes to see nothing floating with her in the familiar blue space.
"Raava?" She pleaded. "Raava...I need you." this time a little more desperate.
Only answered by silence.
Suddenly, the serene purple and blue emptiness was invaded by an encroaching black mist. Bleeding into the void like dye in water. The Avatar recoiled in horror, unable to drift very far.
"Koooorra."
It was that damn voice again. The voice identical to hers. "What the hell did you do to Raava!?" Korra raged.
The cloud finally coalesced into the specter. Only this time, it looked like the modern Avatar. Same horrid eyes, same smile. "She's gone Korra."
Korra couldn't speak or breath, no matter how hard she tried. Why is this happening? What did I do!?
The copy cat reached out with an inhuman snarl, gaining a firm grip on her throat.
She gasped for air as the personal space once used to commune with her past lives and the light spirit, was consumed by a black smoke, erupting from the false Korra's back. The area burst into a raging inferno. She felt the flames lash at her flesh and her strength being robbed.
The specter burst into hysterics seeming to take joy in watching Korra burn. Seconds later she was torn back to the real world. Still in pain but unable to scream.
Korra tried desperately to pull herself off the bed, her body growing heavier with each passing second. The Avatar failed to scream. Finally able to reach the edge before giving into the pain and loosing continuousness. The laughter continued until her mind faded.
Kuvira sat on one of the great roots of the Banyan grove tree, electing to make camp there for the night. The climate was very pleasant at night and she still had some dried rations. If she needed light, Kuvira still had plenty of battery power left.
The past four days in the swamp were both physically exhausting and emotionally taxing. Between the visions of her parents giving her up like and unwanted pet and all those she had killed taunting her, The Great Uniter was pushed to the breaking point. Her eyes were still swollen from the tears. All this place seemed to do was remind her of what a power hunger monster she had become.
Several Beifong's were spiritual people, unlike Kuvira. She never took interest when Su or Opal would ask her to meditate with them. Even Baatar Jr. had tried both during her reign and after her incarceration. The visions were bad enough, but the thought of what she must have done to the tattered remains of her relationships, especially with Su and Baatar Jr., were to much to bare. Somehow, her body managed to find more liquid to convert to tears. If you hadn't seen the Great Uniter in her prime, you would have never guessed it was this broken shell of a human being.
"Why did I listen to that woman?" she whimpered to herself. "You should have just turned yourself in and lied about some earth empire sympathizers breaking you out. They would have believed that, right?" Kuvira wiped the salty excretion from her eye, recoiling from the slight burn. In frustration, she sent her fist crashing into the wood. Pain quickly engulfed her right hand pulling it close, holding it even with her stomach like a baby.
"You know, attacking the tree isn't going to make you feel better." A deep, warm voice resonated from the left.
Kuvira's eye's widen with an utter feeling of helplessness. This high on the tree she had nothing to bend. Luckily, she remembered the thick metal flashlight in the pack.
She rolled to a more favorable position on the other side of her gear bending out the light and fashioning the end into a thick spike, she cringed for a moment, favoring her injured hand. Kuvira took a firm stance, one where she could easily defend or attack. "Who are y-" she nearly dropped the weapon.
The metalbender locked eyes with a massive wolf. It's eyes a warm yellow, seeming to glow lightly in the evening twilight. It's thick fir a matted mess of grays and browns with a thick layer a dried mud; the length along the bulk of its back (running from its head to the base of its tail) seemed to move like a gentle tide, alive. On all fours, its back reached Kuvira's chest, big enough to ride. This was no ordinary wolf.
She gathered herself as the beast maintained it's distance and took a seat. "W-who...or what are you?"
"I would prefer who if you don't mind." It asked with a politeness not found in most humans.
Dumbfounded, she spoke. "Who are you?"
It smirked humbly, "My name is Zu'Tao." Pausing to scratch an irritation behind his right ear.
She felt a calmness wash over her, but Kuvira wasn't about to drop her guard. "What do you want?"
"Just to talk." Zu looked the exhausted woman up and down, "You must be Kuvira, The Great Uniter!"
She wasn't to pleased with his praises, "Please don't call me that. I'm not that person anymore."
"I can tell." He gave a deep, bellowing chuckle.
"How do you know who I am?" she barked.
"A friend of mine told me all about you, well, a couple friends I should say."
Kuvira desperately searched her thoughts, "That woman that broke me out of prison!?"
"You mean Xin?"
Suddenly, the adrenaline faded from her system and the pain in her hand; combined the fatigue of three days with barely any food, water or sleep came crashing down. Her weight felt doubled and she could barley stand. Kuvira dropped the makeshift weapon and began falling, eyes clinched.
She expected to land head first on the root but was caught midway down by her visitor. His warm coat was a welcome comfort. Kuvira wanted to resist, she wanted to fight against everything; the visions in the swamp, her volatile emotions and the memory of what she used to be. But in that instant, she realized that was her problem, that was the source of all her turmoil a grief. It was almost like the mere presence of this canine was enough to calm her weary mind. For the first time in her life Kuvira would give into fate instead of fighting it, all of this was happening for a reason. It was time to stop resisting.
She let all of her weight rest on the back of the great wolf. Her arms and legs parallel with Zu's. "Relax. We've got alot to talk about tomorrow morning, get some rest."
Kuvira felt his speed pick up to a reasonable pace before drifting off to sleep.