Mako's POV
I sighed in relief when we finally reached the bottom of the icy mountain, earning a laugh from the Waterbender. I scowled, dusting myself before following her back to the ship. I was lucky to be alive. We'd nearly tumbled down the mountain. Despite her making the dark creature disappear I looked around, readying myself for any more surprises from the Goddess Azula.
The crew cheered as their captain stepped on board and I saw Wing give Wei a couple of coins. I scoffed. Had they really bet on whether or not we'd come back? Nice crew.
I sat down and sighed, trying to rest when the polar bear dog came over to me and started to lick my face. I tried pushing her off but the heavy beast wouldn't budge until her owner called her.
"Looks like Naga missed you," Korra commented with a smirk.
I scowled in response, trying to get the mutt's drool out of my clothes.
The crew asked her what had happened and she wasted no time in telling them, embellishing some details, a pirate's trick. I rolled my eyes as I listened, Kai sitting next to her and nodding along though the grin on his face told me he knew just as well as I did that some of the facts weren't so.
After a while I decided to head down to her cabin, which had been my sleeping quarters for the last couple of days. I was tired.
When I woke it was to Naga licking my face again. I growled and sat up just in time to see the pirate sneak out the door. I raised a brow and grabbed my bag, following her upstairs. She was whispering with Lin and the youngest Airbender.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
She turned, not seeming surprised that I'd followed her. "I'm walking to the portal from here. Go back to sleep."
"I'm going with you."
An irritated sigh. "No, you're going back to sleep."
"This is Asami we're talking about," I answered. "I'm going."
Korra let out an exasperated sigh before nodding we permission causing Kai to pout. "How come he gets to go?"
"Because he isn't twelve," she answered placing her hands on his shoulders. "I need you to stay here and listen to Lin. I'll be back before you know it."
He sighed but nodded and I checked my bag to make sure we had some supplies before following her off the ship. Lin hadn't been too happy about her going to the Spirit Portal alone. We were almost to the threshold where the two large pillars stood when the pirate turned to look at me.
"You didn't have to come with me."
"I wanted to."
Her blue eyes studied me for a moment before continuing to walk in silence.
Tonraq's POV
A week had passed since Korra's departure.
Senna hadn't talked to me since, refusing to even meet my gaze. She wouldn't eat dinner with me and I couldn't really blame her. For years after Korra's departure I had worried, always wondering if she was okay, if she was still alive. Then the rumors started to come in about how she was now a Captain of a pirate ship and I had grown angry once again.
How could she do this to me? To her people? How was I supposed to look them in the eye and tell them that it was true. That the heir to the Southern Water Tribe was a thief and a pirate.
I had even sent my best men to capture her but they all had failed, telling me she was a powerful Bender and to my shame I found myself a little proud. She was the strong woman I had wanted to raise her to be.
I took a deep breath, opening the drawer of my desk and pulling out an old photograph. It was the very first picture taken and the first time I had held her in my arms. She had been so tiny then, so vulnerable...and I found myself wanting to protect her forever.
But fate was cruel and she inherited my adventurous spirit.
I put the picture away, placing my chin on top of my clasped hands and scoffed, shaking my head. The Goddess Azula had stolen the Book. Such a convenient excuse. That's what Korra had nowadays: excuses. But for some reason my wife and Asami believed her, enough to risk her own life to give her a chance to prove it. If she didn't come back...I wouldn't be able to look Hiroshi in the eye. He would be losing his only daughter.
However, despite the ridiculous notion of a Spirit Goddess being responsible for the Book's disappearance, I had my doubts. Though my daughter was a pirate and a liar, there wasn't a reason why she wouldn't give the Book back when her best friend's life was on the line. Senna even testified to her being with our daughter but then again she'd do anything to protect her.
I sighed. I just hoped she came back with the Book. Alive. Ok.
Korra's POV
I sighed as I settled against the cave wall, trying to get to sleep. Mako was a few feet away, eyes closed, breathing in and out peacefully. If only I could fall asleep at will like he did but my mind wouldn't shut down. Everything was finally crashing down on me and it was as if I just realized what was at stake here.
Hiroshi wouldn't kill his only daughter but it wasn't up to him, the council had granted Asami the right to substitution. They would kill her, no matter how they felt about it.
Maybe Iroh would use his head and try to convince my best friend to break out which I doubted. She was too proud and honorable for her own good. Asami was one of the few people who still had faith in me and it could cost her her life.
I growled in frustration, turning so that I was facing the Firebender. Then there was him. This idiot that had caused me more trouble than I would have liked but at the same time I...liked his company, and it scared me.
Curse the day I decided to go back to the city.
Suddenly I felt my eyes droop, my muscles relax and I finally welcomed the idea of sleep. My body finally convincing my mind to give it up.
When my eyes shut, however, I wasn't met with the usual darkness but instead I was found myself in a room of sorts, the walls were extravagant and painted with a faded blood red. There was a bed in the middle of the room, a fancy four postered with what looked like silk sheets. They looked even redder and bloodier than the room. Then in the corner a large mirror sat, wider and taller than myself by a lot. I shivered involuntarily, rubbing my arms. The temperature of the room felt like I was being stabbed with ice.
"Look who's still alive," a voice purred
Of course.
"I met your other pet," I told her. "But I had to end our time together, seeing as it wanted to poke my brains out."
She sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed. She had traded her dress for a robe, revealing long pale legs and if she slanted just so far more than I wanted to see of her chest.
"You are no fun," she chuckled.
"Oh I'm plenty of fun. Except when you're trying to kill me."
Her hand went to her chest, looking stricken by the very idea, the picture of innocence if hadn't already known who I was talking too. Even then there was a cold calculating gleam in her amber eyes.
"Me? Kill you?" the goddess asked. "Now why would I do that?"
"Because you don't want me to make it to Tarterus." Wasn't it obvious?
She tskd and shook her head. "It's not that simple. But, oh, where are my manners?" Azula eyes sparked as she watched me shiver. "My little thief, won't you have a drink with me?"
My eyes flickered to the bottle of Fire Whiskey in the goddess' hand, and watched as two flutes materialized in midair. Azula poured the crystal clear liquid and took a sip, humming in delight. "Simply divine. That'll warm you right up."
Her form flickered and she was suddenly right in front of me. Her breath brushed against my face and the I could smell the tempting drink wafting. The raven haired goddess traced her nail down my jaw.
"Humor me. Have a drink with me, my noble thief."
I know I shouldn't. That I should stay sober for tomorrow's walk. I don't even know if I'm dreaming or if this is real anymore. But I can feel the cold in my bones like a layer of black ice engraved in the marrow and I reach out to take the cup. It looks so tempting and I haven't had a drink in a couple of days, my longest sobriety in a long time.
"It's to die for."
I bring the cup to my lips, tilting it before I stop and put it down and I could see traces of disappointment on Azula's face.
"Really? To die for?" I hand her the cup back and she takes it. "You almost had me."
The goddess said nothing before she chuckled and willed the cup away as if it mattered not. So I was right. It was a trap.
"You're so smart." Her face was inches from mine and I could practically hear her purr again, her voice dropping lower to a new sultry register. "I love that in a woman."
"I bet you do," I replied stepping away and simultaneously getting her to drop her hand that had found its way to my bicep. "But I think I'd like to rest before I officially meet you again tomorrow."
A disappointed sigh. "As you wish. Keep toasty warm for me, I know I will for you."
My eyes snap open and I'm back in the cave, Mako looking at me with concern. I feel myself shake and he drapes another blanket over my form.
"Hey are you okay?" he asks.
I nod. "Just a little cold." If you didn't count the blocks of ice I had for feet.
"Maybe you should move closer to the fire."
I nod and scoot closer, sighing in relief as the warmth comes over me, making my eyes droop again. Once he makes sure I'm comfortable he goes back to his spot and I whisper a 'thanks' before closing my eyes once again, breathing deeply in order to Firebend some more warmth.
Spirits, I couldn't wait till I got that Book back and was done with this mess.
Asami's POV
I sighed turning once more in my cot, unable to sleep.
It had been over a week since Korra had left and there was no sign of her return and I had started to worry. Had something happened to her? Was she hurt? All kinds of thoughts started to spiral through my mind causing me to lose sleep.
Nothing would happen to her I mean...she was Korra. The best pirate that had roamed the seas. But then again the mission she went off on wasn't exactly a typical pirate raid. I sat up and the lamp next to me lit up.
"Can't sleep again?" the pirate across from me asked.
I guess I wasn't the only one that was restless. "No," I admitted.
"Why?"
I sighed. "I'm thinking about Korra."
"Ah, the Captain." He smirked a little. "You're worried she won't make it on time? Punctuality isn't really her forte."
I rolled my eyes. "Very reassuring." Iroh laughed and I brought my legs up to my chest, resting my chin on my folded arms. "I'm just wondering if I sent her off to her death."
The Firebender hummed in response. "Well it is an unusual destination," he began. "But the Captain does like a challenge. Something we both have in common."
I managed a small smile. "You think I'm stupid for worrying."
"Not really. I mean, doesn't do you any good now does it?" I suppose it didn't. "She's the best there is. If anyone can get the Book back, the Captain is your gal."
"Would you have done it?" I asked.
"Excuse me?"
"Would you have volunteered to take your best friend's place," I explained. "If they were sentenced to death and give them a chance to clear their name."
"I value my life, I think most people do."
I nodded. "Most people being those who wouldn't."
"It was your choice," Iroh answered. "Not one that I would have made or a wise one, but yours. So what does it matter what anyone else would have done?"
I tilted my head. He had a point. It didn't matter what he or my father thought about my choice. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I just couldn't help but hope Korra was okay.
Mako's POV
There was no denying it now. I was falling for a pirate.
At first I had dismissed the idea, the mere notion ridiculous but the more time I spent with her the more I realized it was true. I felt the guilt gnaw at me. I was supposed to be getting married to Asami. She was going to be my wife. But I couldn't deny the feelings I had for the Waterbender either.
"Here we are," she finally said as we approached a dome-like portal.
"Do you know how to open it?" I asked.
"Only one way to find out."
Korra took a deep breath opening her eyes to reveal the glow before placing her palm on the surface of the portal. It began to shine and we stepped back, feeling the ground shake before energy burst upwards towards the sky, and lights began to dance in the clouds. The forever lost Southern Lights, it seemed.
"One down, one to go," she said with a smirk.
I chuckled and followed her inside the portal, greeted by the most magnificent view. There were all sorts of Spirits here, floating about as we continued on our way. Despite being the Avatar, Korra seemed to be as amazed as I was, looking around as we walked across different landscapes.
Soon we came across another dome, similar to the portal the Waterbender had just opened and she repeated the process. Another tower of energy burst upwards before bending to connect to the southern portal. My brow furrowed as yet another portal sprang forth in the middle of the other two, this one pure white compared to the other two yellows.
Korra and I shared a look, taking a deep breath and walked into the light.
Azula's POV
I grinned as the Portal to my realm opened, revealing two figures. Well they had been able to reach me after all. After all the obstacles I had put in the little thief's way, she had still managed to get to Tartarus. How amusing. But it wasn't over yet. I still had one more trick up my sleeve and I knew that after today her world would tumble and I'd win.
I always did.
"Bravo, Korra, no one had ever made it this far before," I greeted with a chuckle. "Alive that is." I appeared in front of her, my face inches from hers. "Do you want a welcome gift?"
"I'm good, still recovering from the last one." I sighed in disappointment and she took a deep breath. "Listen, uh, I'm sure you have things to do so we'll just get the Book of Peace and be out of your way."
"What makes you think I have it?" I asked innocently.
The Avatar crossed her arms over her chest, raising her brow. She was just so cute. "You framed me for the theft to give them a reason to execute me."
"Just you?"
"Yeah." I grin knowingly and it looks like she finally understands, her eyes closing. "Asami...You knew she'd take my place. And my dad would disown me..."
"What a clever little Avatar you are."
"You thought I'd run," she continued. "Then Asami would die leaving Republic City and the Southern Tribe without an heir, causing the Nations to-"
"Tumble into glorious chaos. You humans are so predictable." Oh and were they. Always thinking more with their hearts than their heads. "Asami couldn't help saving her best friend and you couldn't help betraying her."
Her jaw clenched. "But I didn't betray her! I didn't run away!"
"Oh but you did betray her. You stole her only love," I countered, shoving her into the Firebender. "Look at him, Korra, she isn't even in her grave yet and you're moving in on him, stealing his affections from her." I came closer, staring her in the eye. "Face it. Your heart is as black as mine."
"You're wrong about her!" Mako, the royal fiancé, snapped, speaking for the first time.
"She knows I'm not," I replied as I looked at my nails, uninterested in his intrusion in our conversation. Sure, he made an interesting pawn but I found his presence annoying.
"You don't know who Korra is."
He was adamant to defend her. I didn't like his tone. "Oh yes I do and, more importantly, so does she." I pushed him aside to be in front of my prey once more. "You know in your heart that Asami is going to die because she saw something in you that just...isn't...there," I tap her shoulder, emphasizing each word.
"You're wrong," the little thief countered.
I smiled. I was hoping she'd say that.
"Wanna bet? I'll tell you what, let's play a game and if you win, I'll give you the Book of Peace," I suggested making the Book appear out on the end of the ledge. "There it is, noble thief." I stepped in front of her when she tried to step forward.
"Not so fast. My game has rules, Korra." I could see her impatience, hints of desperation and I fought back a grin. "I'll ask you a question. One simple question. If you answer truthfully the Book is yours."
If only it were that simple.
"Give me your word," the Avatar asked.
I chuckled. "You still don't trust me?"
"Given your track record...no."
"It's a pity we live in such skeptical times," I mused. I sighed and nodded my head. "Very well then. You have my word as a goddess."
The Avatar took a deep breath and nodded. "Ask you question."
My smile widened. "Now we all know what happens if you get the Book of Peace. You return it to Republic City and save Asami," I began rolling my eyes. So boring. "But if you don't get the Book, you have a choice to make. You can go back to your pirate life with the man of your dreams or return to Republic City and die. You're either a thief or a hero."
The Firebender straightened at this and I smirked. So maybe I had borrowed his words, no matter.
"So here's my question, my noble thief: if you don't get the Book...will you go back to die?"
"I will." It was admirable that the brunette was so sure of herself that she answered with no hesitation. But even then I could see bit of fear creeping in the corners of her eyes. There was my window of opportunity, slight as it was. Mind games were part of my fun, after all.
I brushed a chuckle by her ear and I got a thrill from how her body tensed. "You're lying." Two simple words. That's all it could take to destroy someone's image of themselves. Korra liked to think herself a pirate, but one with a code. All I had to do was twist the code.
Her eyes widened and I made the floor disappear beneath her and Fire Nation boy as she tried reaching for the Book, transporting her and just like that they transported out of my realm. All that was left to do was sit on my crumbling golden stone throne and wait. I grinned.
And we're back! Be sure to check out Silent Sound and, for the Korrasami fans, Titanium on Speedy08's profile.
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We out! Peace!
