It took Korra a moment to find her voice. "You're not serious."
"I'm always serious."
Korra gave Taimu an incredulous look.
Taimu smiled grimly. "Alright, no I'm not. But I'm also not giving you a choice. I helped Mako save you in return for a favor. If you don't hold up your end of the deal, I'll step out of time, go back a couple months, and make sure I don't help save you."
Korra looked at Taimu in open-mouthed horror. "You-you wouldn't."
Taimu shrugged. "Can't and won't but you weren't supposed to figure that out this quickly aaand you were just expressing shock."
Taimu sighed heavily, and leaned forward in his chair. "Korra, listen. I've saved your life. Twice, if you count me stopping you from opening the box last time. You're one of the few Avatars Raava's had that I actually like, so please. For Shijan, if not for me. Do this for us."
Korra paused, struck by the emotion that Taimu was displaying. "You could die."
"That's a risk I'm comfortable with."
Korra closed her eyes, and sat for a few moments, considering Taimu's request.
Finally, she nodded. "I'll do it."
Gratitude illuminated Taimu's face. "Thank you Korra. Do you need me to help you up, or...?"
"No, I've got it." Korra said, slowly forcing herself to a standing position.
Taimu stood as well, and the two avatars faced eachother.
Korra met Taimu's gaze. "Are you sure about this?"
A hint of his old humor gleam in Taimu's eyes. "Korra, I appreciate the concern, but I'm not getting any younger. Or older, for that matter."
Korra, breathed in, then exhaled slowly. "Alright. Let's get started."
Korra opened the vial at her side and slowly pulled a stream of water out, sending it towards the ground at Taimu's feet.
Upward and around Taimu the water flowed, forming the distinctive helix pattern of the purification ritual. As the pattern completed, Taimu drifted into the air, suspended in the center of the helix.
"Woah." He said, half to himself. "This feels...strange."
"Should I stop?"
Taimu shook his head. "I'm fine. Keep going."
Korra took another deep breath, then continued the ritual, golden energy flowing up the stream.
Taimu's eye closed. "Aaah." He whispered. "This feels...good."
As the golden energy reached the top of the helix, Korra saw Taimu change. His body faded, and within him Korra could see a spirit, shaped like a tan kite with brilliant green diamond patterns, shaking and twisting in a wind that she could not see.
"Shijan." She whispered, and knew she was not the one recognizing him.'
With a final gesture, Korra sent the ritual into the last stage, causing the energy to scatter to dust from the top of the helix down.
As the pattern dispersed, Taimu lowered back to the ground, his spirit partner vanishing as his body lost its transparency.
Taimu sank to his knees as he reached the ground, falling forward as the helix vanished and just barely catching himself with his hands.
"Are you alright?" Korra asked, slowly making her way over to Taimu.
Taimu pushed himself back upright, and stood, eyes closed. "I'm fine. Better than I've been in a long time. In fact..."
Taimu opened his eye to reveal the bright tan glow of his Avatar State. "I'm better than I've ever been."
Korra took a surprised step back. "You're in your avatar state?"
Taimu nodded. "Without having to step out of time. And I'm capable of more than that now."
Taimu looked down at his hands. "So much untapped power." He said his voice echoing slightly.
Abruptly the glow vanished, and Taimu looked back up at Korra with a smile. "And it can stay that way for now. I need to get back to my cell."
Korra blinked, surprised. "You're actually going to let Lin lock you back up?"
Taimu shrugged and smirked. "I did break the law to save you both times. I don't often have consequences. It's nice to be reminded they exist every once in a while."
Taimu walked, to the door, paused, then turned back to face Korra again. "Besides, this way, if you ever need me, you know just where to look." He bowed. "Raava. Avatar Korra. Until the next adventure."
A/N: Sorry about the delay on getting this up. This weekend got busy in a hurry.
