Chapter Nine: The Temple and the Northern Water Tribe Part One
I awoke with many questions after a long nights sleep. It was breakfast time and I was roughly the first one awake. I went up to the deck and the cold air made me shiver. We sure were getting close to the North Pole now.
I looked out over the open sea, it was beautiful. I had never seen anything like it. The water was a deep blue with ice floating here and there. Then in the distance you could see massive icebergs and pieces of ice islands. I enjoyed it here, all except the fact that I was nearly frozen to the bone.
I sat down and waited for the others to wake up. It wasn't long before Chi came strolling up the stairs. He stretched at the top, yawning and rushed over to me. "Awake I see, well how about some breakfast, I'm famished." He said as he jumped into my lap.
"I wasn't even thinking about food right now. I'm more pressed about the events of yesterday. There's a lot of answers I didn't get and I want to know what happened."
Chi looked out over the ocean. He seemed to be deep in thought when he said "Sometimes Keyx, the truth comes at a cost. Poor Korra learned that yesterday. I feel as if I lost a great part of myself when we left Kyoshi Island and I know the pain she is going through. My life hasn't been easy."
I looked at him, "I still don't know much about you Chi. All I know is your one cat I wouldn't want to mess with."
He laughed and still stared out into the ocean. "I suppose it's time I told you my story then, isn't it?"
I looked at him. I did want to know where he came from but it seemed that the memories pained him. "You don't have to tell me Chi. It's enough that you're here right now, even if the reason why is shrouded in mystery."
"No, it is fair that you know my backstory. It was years ago, Arabella and I were just young kids. Yes I was a human at one point, I presume you guessed that I wasn't always a cat. Well Arabella and I had grown up together on Kyoshi Island. We were outcasts, shunned because of what happened to Arabella's family. Her father had been the noblest man on the island, until a young girl who had been his maid died while at his manor. Arabella's mother was pregnant with her at the time. They never truly proved it to have been her father's fault but the whole island was certain he killed the maid. It ruined his reputation and when Arabella was born she was shunned like the rest of them. That's why when they learned she was the first Earthbender in two generations they had her trained immediately."
"Wait, Korra's great grandparents weren't benders?" I asked, feeling confused because of all I read about Toph Beifong and her family.
"Even the greatest of bending families have some in their line that are born without the ability to bend. That alone should have made them outcasts but they all worked hard to keep the great Beifong name as noble as they could. You know firsthand too that they can produce non-benders. Korra's own brother can't bend."
He was right, Korra had told me that the first time we went out training. That felt so long ago now, the breeze on Kyoshi Island felt more welcoming than the chilling crisp air of the artic. "I remember now, she told me that the second day I was on the island, before I met you."
He nodded then continued, "I met Arabella on her first day of training, I was two years older than her. They placed me in charge of teaching her the basics so she could keep a class with me. We quickly struck up a friendship as I trained her. I thought she was going to be hard pressed like her parents but it turned out that she was laid back and rather fun to be around. We kept training and training until we were in advanced classes together in our teen years. We were inseparable, a match made by the divines some called us. Many believed we were to be wedded soon. I never had those feelings for Arabella and I believe she felt the same. I can't be too sure because my accident came a little after that. It was spring, we were eighteen years old and had just finished a rather tough course together and were celebrating by the northern beach. It was beautiful out, the birds were singing and the wind felt great and I will admit, Arabella looked amazing with her hair flowing in the breeze. We sat down and opened a bottle of juice, it was all Arabella would drink. Then the sky darkened abnormally and we looked around, slightly curious and slightly panicked. A number of ships came sailing into sight and docked nearby us. They were bandits and pirates and other assorted scum. They saw us and accosted us, asking for valuables. We had none of course so they threatened our lives. Apparently they didn't know about the whole town of wealthy benders just down the road but I felt like I had to protect Arabella. So in turn I attacked them but they were too much for me. I was able to deal with a few of them but in the end they had got me, a sword cut right across the chest. They laughed and boarded their ships as Arabella ran over and held me, tears in her eyes. I was dying and I knew it but I didn't want to leave Arabella's side. I felt like her guardian. I couldn't hear the words coming out of her mouth but I knew she was asking me to stay with her. I closed my eyes and prayed to the spirits, praying that I could stay and protect Arabella for as long as she wanted me too. A bright light flashed and the next thing I knew I was a cat. It was odd at first but I think it was the spirits way of showing they cared."
I watched him. So he really knew sacrifice and hardship. I had figured he had be through a lot but I never guessed it was that much. I felt sorry for the guy, or cat. I really didn't know how to address him now.
"So I lived as her house cat from then on. I guided and protected her. We learned that the only thing that changed was my appearance, or so we originally thought. It seems though that in my haste of praying I signed a contract that means I can only die when the Beifong family lets me. It's a curse and a blessing, I just don't see Korra letting me go anytime soon."
That seemed rather rough to me, living as long as a family wishes you too. I looked out on the ocean again wondering what it would be like to be in Chi's shoes and have to serve a family for eternity. I sure wouldn't wish it upon myself but he must have had some feelings for old Granny Beifong to have done that just for her sake, even if he won't admit it.
It wasn't long before the rest of the gang made it up to the deck. We got breakfast cooking and those that were still alive after yesterday's trials were happily conversing with each other while wearing big heavy coats and eating a nearly frozen breakfast. Dano as usual had his normal four plates in front of him and was chowing down. I decided to question him first and leave Korra for last, when we could talk alone about it.
"So how in the world did the great Dano get himself captured by the Elves yesterday?" I said with a smirk directed towards Dano.
"Hey now, shove off. It wasn't our fault that the Elves were hot on our trail from the start. What killed us was that we used the same entrance that you did. They were ready for us when we got there. They pointed swords at us and when we said we were there to just look around they arrested us. It was as simple as that. Well not entirely, see I had the brilliant plan to fight back."
Nya laughed at that, "Yeah, his brilliant plan was to kick the Elf in the face and run. I had to laugh at it but when we did it, it seemed to work for the moment. That is until they bashed me in the head with a club and I was knocked out."
I laughed. "Damn Elves love their clubs. Remember back at Luxemburg, they got me with a club too."
Dano laughed more. "Yeah and they did the same to me but not before I got a few of them with my Waterbending. I totally went ninja trying to defend Nya but in the end it wasn't good enough. I got pegged in the back of the head and the next thing I knew I was looking at a crowd of people and saw you waving at us Keyx. Brilliant idea on your part to just chuck a huge rock at the dudes head." He said with a slight laugh.
"It was all I could think of to do, they were going to execute you guys if we didn't do something. So starting a massive fight against innumerable Elves was the best thing to do in that situation." I said, shoving some eggs in my mouth and munching down on them, feeling like I was eating blocks of egg ice or something.
"Well thank you for that, it really saved us. If you hadn't done that I don't think we would have made it through that ordeal alive, none of us. You were the brains of the escape plan Keyx." Dano said.
I knew he was right, it seemed to have been only me thinking of the plans as we did them but I still didn't want to take full credit because even though I'm the Avatar I wouldn't have been able to do it without them.
Breakfast passed quickly and we all went about to our regular business, except me of course. I went off to try to corner Korra so we could chat privately or with Chi but no one else. I just didn't want to upset her in front of other people and I knew we had a close enough bond that she would trust me.
Around mid-day I finally got my chance. Korra was downstairs working on cleaning up around the cabin areas and so I made my way down there. I saw her sweeping the floors and made a note at how beautiful she looked today. She had a long green overcoat on and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. Her eyes shined even without much light and she looked like she was as happy as could be. I knew though that she was only putting on that outward appearance so no one knew about her real pain inside.
I slowly walked up to her and watched her work. She noticed me and smiled and said "Hey Keyx, come to help or just look at me weird?"
I smiled and replied "I can help if you want. I just wanted to talk about yesterday. Chi said something about you learning the hard way that the truth comes at a price. I just wanted to extend a hand of friendship to you."
She looked at me, all the happy in her face gone. Her eyes darkened and she looked pained but I could tell she trusted me. "Well Chi and I made our way into the city like we were supposed to. Everything went smooth for us, none of the Elves really cared that we were Outlanders and they let us go about our business. I found a lady that had just moved in from the Royal City. She could tell that we weren't native to Tarok and she let us in. She wasn't even shocked that Chi could talk."
It seemed to bring pain to remember what happened yesterday. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to let her continue but she pressed on. "She had been there when the brought in my grandma. She asked me why I was wondering about her and I guess I just lost it. I told her everything, I didn't care, I just wanted to have some closure. She was understanding about it, she didn't seem to care that I was a bender from Kyoshi Island. The woman was nice, better than any other Elf we've been in contact with. Well she explained that the truth would bring more pain than the mystery of doubt. I kept pleading for her to tell me what happened and she finally did." She stopped, tears leaking out of her eyes. I couldn't stand to see her like this so I hugged her and she let me, gripping onto me tightly as she finished her story. "She said they didn't stop at just a normal beheading. They wanted to show dominance so they used a special form of magic they had been developing and they… they… oh Keyx, they blew her up completely!" she started crying in earnest, holding onto me tightly.
I couldn't think of what to do but stand there and hold her. It was terrible. They were going to pay for what they did and I wasn't about to let go of Korra. I didn't know why but I felt close to her and to see her like this pained me as much as it did her.
After a while she stopped crying. She looked up, her eyes sparkling from the tears and the pain was still etched in them. I kissed her wet cheek and she seemed to smile as she wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just so hard. Growing up she was all I had, her and my little sister. I don't even know what became of my little sister but no matter what I will avenge my grandma."
"And I will be by your side the entire time Korra, I promise. We need to get to the Northern Water Tribe though." I said.
I helped her finish and dinner came quickly enough. By that time her eyes had cleared up and she was smiling again. We sat down to get some food and looked around. I had a question rear up in my head but I didn't know if I wanted the answer or not. "Uh, Dano, where's Marcy?"
He stopped getting food and looked around. It seemed it had slipped his mind as well but Marcy was missing. He got up and walked over to a young boy and started talking with him. After a few minutes he came back and sat down. "Marcy was to lead the Water Cult to get a boat and dock in the Midport docks. It seems though that she disappeared in the northern waters when they were ambushed. She's presumed dead but there were signs that she lived. No one knows where she is." He looked at the ground. Everyone was hurting after our trip to Midport and it seemed that we would have troubles getting our answers.
After tonight there would only be four days till the solstice and I was supposed to have the necklace and find a way to communicate with Avatar Korra by that day. I was tired so I found my way down to my room and laid down. What a day, I laid there thinking about yesterday's events and where Marcy could be now. I hoped we found her, I couldn't stand it if another one of us was dead because of those damn Elves. I slowly found myself drifting off to sleep and before I knew it all was black again.
I opened my eyes. The sun was blazing through a window to my left and a little red ferret was laying on my stomach. I looked down but couldn't see properly because my boobs were in the way. Wait a minute, I was a guy, I didn't normally have boobs! I thought to myself that this must be a dream.
I got up and the ferret rushed off my bed. It was really bright today and I walked over to the mirror. My hair was a mess but the person I was looking at was Avatar Korra. It seemed I was in one of her memories.
The door behind me slid open and a man stood there. I didn't recognize him but it seemed Korra did because my body rushed over to him and hugged him. He was tall with jet black hair and a red scarf around his neck.
"Mako, I'm so glad to see you. Bolin really needs to keep a hold on Pabu. I hate waking up feeling like I'm suffocating because he's on my stomach." I said.
The man, Mako, laughed and said "Yeah, leave it to Bolin to let Pabu run around the entire temple. How's your head feeling today though? You did take quite the tumble in that last match."
"Oh it's fine today. Don't feel too much pain. Not like yesterday with those splitting headaches I had."
Mako laughed again. "Well I just came to tell you that Tenzin wants you in the courtyard. He said something about further Airbending training or something. I don't know just hurry along won't you?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be out when I'm dressed. Take Pabu with you won't cha?" I said, pushing the ferret towards the door with my foot.
Mako picked him up then left and the scene shifted and I was out in a courtyard with a mean looking old guy standing in front of me. "Okay Korra, I still have the duty of teaching you Airbending even if you went through all that trouble to unlock your Airbending in the first place. Now follow me."
He started to weave around, pushing his wrists in different motions and the air seemed to pick up around us as he did it. He stopped and so did the breeze. I was astounded by what I was seeing, he moved quickly and deliberately. He certainly was a master but of course you would expect that from a child of Avatar Aang.
"Avatar Korra, it's your turn. Attempt what I just did." Tenzin said
My body seemed to move on its own like all the other dreams. I started to try to do the formation in which Tenzin was doing. I move my feet out and I walked with my arms waving like he did but my balance was completely off and I tripped over my feet. I wound up face down on the ground.
"I see you have a few balancing issues Korra. It is hard to master but easy enough if you give enough thought into the movements. Watch me again and remember to keep an eye on how I am doing the movements."
He did the same maneuver again and I felt the same rush of wind. I watched his every movement and it seemed that he was light footed and fast on his feet. I didn't think that I was capable of doing something like that but then again this was Korra's memory not mine.
I attempted it again but this time I was actually half decent at it. I didn't trip at all, I was fast on my feet as the wind picked up around me. All was going well until I hit my foot again, making me trip.
"Okay you've done well for now. I want you to practice that maneuver on your own and remember that persistence is the key. That is all the training for today." Tenzin said.
He didn't look angry at all but I figured he was pretty disappointed with me. He left me there and it seemed that Korra was a bit disappointed with herself because she was shuffling her feet and looking at the ground.
The scene shifted and this time I was on a giant polar bear dog. We were racing through the city, which I recognized was Republic City, and it seemed that we were racing for a certain reason but I couldn't tell what it was.
We raced down the streets turning left and right in all different directions and we found ourselves in front of a tavern. It was beaten up and old looking but Korra dismounted the polar bear dog and entered it. There were people in every table in the place but it seemed I was looking for a specific one.
I spotted a girl sitting near the back and walked over to her. "You wanted to see me Asami?" I said to her.
She was rather pretty and looked quite regal with her long black hair and makeup and fancy clothing. She looked at me and smiled, "Yes I did Korra. I fear the worst is to come, forces unknown are gathering to rally around my father's old ideas. The non-benders still want justice, especially after discovering the bodies of Amon and Councilman Tarrlok. I need your help Avatar Korra, for I think they are after my life."
I looked at her, shocked. I didn't know this girl but if she was being hunted even I would have helped her. "I'm sorry Asami but I can't help you. You see things are different now, they won't stage another rebellion after they found out that their beloved leader was really a bender. If your life is really in danger I will help if the situation presents itself. Until that moment I must decline."
"But Korra!" Asami started but I waved her off. "I have stated my decision and you must live with it. Now if there isn't anything more you need I must be going." And I turned and went to leave the tavern.
It was just moments before there was an explosion down the street. I looked over, a worried look on my face and there were people running and screaming all over the place. A voice rang out, "Avatar Korra! You think just because you defeated the Waterbending scum Amon that the city is safe? I will be this cities true savior!" and more explosions rang out.
I ran down the street as more and more people tried to get out of the blast zones. I got to the end of the street and there was another explosion behind me, back at the tavern I just left. My heart began to race and I went back as fast as I could but it wasn't fast enough.
On the ground near some flames laid Asami, burned badly and coughing. I leaned next to her and looked at her. She was barely able to breathe but she managed to say "Mako, take care of Mako, protect him. Please Korra."
I said "No Asami, you aren't going to die." I pulled some water out and tried to heal her with my bending. It did no good, her wounds wouldn't heal. I tried again and again, tears splashing out of my eyes but there was nothing I could do.
Asami's lifeless body lay before me and all I could do was cry. Then the same voice rang out again saying, "See what bending does to people, Avatar? It hurts them, it even kills them. The Hundred Years War began over benders wanting power. It must be stopped and I'm on the verge of finding a permanent solution to benders. Just you wait Avatar Korra, your time will come."
The dream faded with that man's laughter ringing in my ear. Over and over, he wouldn't stop laughing. Not until I regained consciousness and looked around my room. I was sure he was standing right next to me still laughing, even after all these years.
The megaphone sounded and I heard Dano's voice yell out "We are about to dock, all hands on deck!"
I walked up to the deck and looked around. It was bright out and the land was nearing quickly. I went up to Dano and said "Boy is it bright out."
"Yeah, I'm home that's for sure." He had a smile on his face. I couldn't tell why until I looked out and noticed a girl standing on shore, her arm bandaged up but she was still standing there, the girl was Marcy. First thing on my mind was how did she end up here?
We came to dock and started to file off the ship. We all ran to greet Marcy but Dano was the first to get to her. He gave her a small hug and looked at her arm. "What happened Marcy?"
"Oh man is it a long story. Good thing that we practiced our Waterbending as much as we did as children or else I'd be dead right now. What matters is you guys finally made it here. Didn't think you'd be returning home did you Dano?" she said, looking happy that we were all here.
"No I didn't. It's not a place I really want to be but oh well, it's a must if we are to help the Avatar get to that necklace. Now do tell us this long story Marcy."
She started to lead us towards a small village cut into the snow. Off in the distance we could see an inlet area guarded by what looked like an old wall of snow. It was destroyed now but I recognized it, the Northern Water Tribe. I was surprised to see the amount of destruction done to it. I didn't even want to imagine what the inside looked like.
Marcy led us down a path carved through the snow and started her story. "So we found ourselves a nice looking ship right, well their crew was feisty. We fought them tooth and nail but a few of us went down before we captured the ship. I can't remember who all it was but we went down from thirty to like twenty-five. Well we were sailing into Midport, we could see it around the bend when a fireball pegged the side of the ship and we started to sink. As Waterbenders we were able to pull through it and make it back to land but we were ambushed by a lot of Elves that looked like the crew from a nearby ship. We fought but they were too much for us. I haven't a clue after that because one of them used some form of magic I would guess and I went flying through the air as explosions rang through the air. I landed and passed out on a floating piece of ice, can you believe it? When I came too I had drifted pretty far north so I decided to find my way here and wait for you, hoping you had been able to successfully make it without me. How many Water Cult members were left over?"
"Well six including you. I didn't think I'd see you again Marcy, I'm glad you're alive." Dano said as we passed a snow formed gate. The village was small with huts made out of snow and many people in fur coats lining the area. They all watched as we entered and walked to the middle of the small gathering.
"People, these are the visitors I spoke of, the Avatar and his small gang of friends! We are saved!" Marcy said, holding up her one arm and looking around them. They seemed excited but none of them cheered.
A little girl came up and said "Which one is the Avatar?"
I stepped forward and looked around the small group of people. Many looked sad and worn out. Others looked proud and many older women held small children in their arms. "I am the Avatar, my name is Keyx and I'm here to stop Daichi from destroying the world. I would appreciate it if you people could accept us in for now."
An old lady stepped forth and looked me over. She then smiled and said "He is indeed the Avatar, salvation has arrived!" she raised her arms and the fountains came to life with water and small rivers started to flow through the little village. It was a beautiful sight to see and it seemed these people were all Waterbenders.
We all got given a small tour of the place by Dano and then we were giving a small ice hut to stay in while we were here. It was peaceful but many of them were nervous around the water. When I asked Dano about it he simply said "Having the water running like this is a danger but many people are happy to see the Avatar again, I mean since Korra's death the benders haven't had anything really to celebrate."
The day went by and we found ourselves having dinner in a huge circle full of members from the tribe and the elderly lady that had activated the waters sat in a chair up near the top.
"That's the tribe elder, her name is Koichi. Really nice woman, she's around seventy-five years old now." Marcy told us.
The dinner was great, the best fish I had ever tasted. We played games with the younger kids after dinner and once it got dark we all got laid down in sleeping bags with full bellies and warmth in our hearts. It seemed pleasant but all good things must come to an end I suppose.
The next day was all about plans to go into the old Northern Water Tribe. Dano insisted on a day of planning because it was dangerous around the town right now. If anyone tried to enter there would be a fleet of Elven ships here in no time he said so we spent the day thinking of ways to enter it safely.
At the end of the day we had it all planned out. We were going to push in through the side where we hoped no one would notice and then the necklace should be located in the old palace up near the top of the city. It wasn't fool proof but it was the best we had so we went to bed hoping it would work. We were wrong.
I awoke next morning hoping we would have no issues what so ever. I only had till the end of the day to contact Avatar Korra and I needed to do this no matter what. My hopes were trashed when I looked out to sea and saw at least fifteen Elven warships coming our way.
