It was late in the afternoon the following day. The cell once constructed to house the worst criminal in recent memory, was about to be used for a ceremony not performed in nearly a thousand years. Lin, Tenzin and Jinora were prepping the various incense that Xin requested, while the white lotus defects prepared various countermeasures for the worse case scenario.
The small chamber that sealed the holding cell was much less crowded. Asami, Bolin, and Mako stood opposite of Korra, Rya and Opal who were poised in meditation. The Avatar had offered to teach her friends the ancient practice on several occasions, but only Asami was able to succeed, but her skills were marginal at best. While Opal had practiced the art with her mother since before she was blessed with air bending. Rya was simply a natural.
Xin added a light pink dust to the tall glass vial of toxin, mixed, then closed it off. "There." she added with a grim satisfaction.
Jorin took the vial and placed it in an inner pocket of his cloak. "This it?"
"Yeah, I'll drink it once I've pulled it from Korra." She motioned for the earthbender to enter the large chamber. "And Jorin?" Xin spoke softly, "Thank you for everything."
He nodded with a smile before leaving. "My pleasure ma'am."
Xin made her way to the concentrating women. "You all ready?"
"Are you sure this is a good idea!?" Opal asked in frustration, rising from her crouched position. "It just seems like there has to be another way?" Bolin had spilled the beans the night before to his fiancé.
"Unfortunately, there isn't. But I'm sure Bolin filled you in properly?"
The stout man smiled awkwardly before turning to face the slightly taller waterbender. "Sure did! Sorry about that."
"It's fine Bolin. I assumed you'd tell her anyway." She grinned. "Holding no secrets from your significant other is a fine quality. Have you heard from your mother Opal?"
"Not since yesterday. Her and my older brother are still searching for Kuvira. But they told me they're heading back tonight with Zao Fu's security. Mom figured Reiko could use all the help he can get."
"What do they know?"
"Only what they needed too." Opal was quick to retort.
Xin nodded, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." She turned into Bolin, giving him a quick kiss before falling into his arms. "Be safe in there Bo. Okay?"
"Sure thing sweetheart."
"Relax Opal, we'll take good care of him." Korra said with a smile.
The group started to the chamber before Rya stopped Xin. "Mom? Can I talk to you before we do this?"
"Of coarse." No words or subtle motions needed. The friends understood this was a moment between mother and daughter. Mako glanced back to shoot Rya a reassuring smile before passing under the threshold.
"Look, I'm sorry I yelled at you last night and stormed off on Nala. But your the only person in my life that means anything to me and..."
Xin pulled her in close, tears now flowing from the both of them. "You are the only good thing I've ever done in my life." The older woman started to break down but managed to pull herself together. She cupped the sides of Rya's face. The two smiling at one another. "I love you more than anything in the entire world."
"I love you too, mom. I... I just don't know what I'm going to do without you."
"You'll be fine. You've grown into a fine young woman and I'm so proud of you."
Rya laughed through the sadness, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother. "I'm so glad I stole that apple from you."
Xin pulled her as close as physically possible. Holding her for what could very well be the last time. "Me too."
The two finally broke apart after nearly a minute.
Xin wiped the last of Rya's tears before planting a kiss on her forehead. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be." The young girl forced.
They entered the vast chamber, their emotions still apparent across their faces. Xin took the time to stop and thank each and every white lotus member they passed. Thanking them for their time and sacrifice for this cause. It was obvious all of these people had great respect and admiration for this woman. Even Lin took note at the attention she paid to each and everyone of her subordinates, and that was something she could respect.
Korra and all those about to take the dive stood ready at the center of the chamber, while the rest of the Avatar's allies stood around the outside. Prepared for the worst.
Rya made her way past Korra to stand with the on lookers. Asami shot her a reassuring smile as she passed. Nothing could fill the hole torn in her heart, but all the kind gestures from people she didn't even know, warmed her soul. The feeling was reinforced when she reached Opal and the other spectators. The young air bender wrapping an arm around the broken girl for comfort. It was welcomed.
"Alright listen up." Xin spoke loud enough for all to hear. "If everything goes as planned, we'll suppress this thing and be out in time for dinner."
Those who knew the truth felt a sinking in the pit of their stomach.
"If something goes wrong or we can't contain it...I'll try to pull it from Korra and contain it in my own body."
Xin's people stood silent while Jorin and Lee approached with thick steel chains slung over their shoulders. She had gone over this as the last resort with all those whom she didn't tell the truth. The seasoned veteran removed her cloak, revealing a dark sleeveless undershirt that clung to her fit, feminine frame. The men began fastening the heavy chains first to her arms and ankles, then to the circle on the floor.
"Jorin, if it comes to that and I can't control myself, restrain me and have someone bend the poison through my skin."
"Of coarse ma'am." He lied, already knowing he'd probably have too.
"Alright you four. Ready?" Her subordinates backed away, leaving just the people on the operation.
"Of coarse." Korra said.
"And one more thing." Xin looked to Lin. "Remember our deal chief."
"Yeah, yeah. Your confession I know. You just take care of my officer in there." Beifong barked.
She turned to the group. "Korra take a seat in the middle."
The avatar inched back into a meditative position. "Like this?"
"That's perfect." The master took a few steps forward until she was within arms reach, then turned to nod in Lee's direction. His cue to light the incense with the aid of the other members and the young airbending master. "Now, Korra informs me that the three of you aren't very good at meditation?"
The brothers seemed to turn away in unfounded embarrassment, while Miss Sato was eager to point out her fault. "Well, I did once. By accident. I was never able to doit again."
"It took me forever to finally get the hang of it, and I'm the Avatar."
"That's quite alright, I'll guide you." Xin said. "Asami, you stand in between me and Korra. Place one hand on her shoulder and the other on mine. Mako and Bolin, you two stand behind me and place a hand on my shoulders."
The three moved into place.
"What now?" Bolin asked.
"All you have to do is close your eyes and relax. Take deep breaths. And listen very carefully." Xin spoke in a serene tone that seemed contagious. Calming the bustling minds of those about to embark. She slowly placed her palm on the Avatar's forehead, gripping it lightly. "Korra. I need you to do exactly what you did in the tree of time during harmonic convergence."
"Like when I awakened my inner spirit? And like three days ago when you helped me fight that thing off?" Korra let her eyelids grow heavy and her breathing to match that of the woman's.
"Yes. That will allow us to pass into your psyche and enter the personal space that is your mind." The beautiful scent of the smoke seemed to amplify Xin's soothing voice. "Asami, your the anchor. If Korra looses her way or gets lost, your the one that'll remind her that she's in control and help her find her way. There's no telling what that thing might try in desperation."
Xin's voice started to echo. More so than it already did in a cavern. It somehow seemed farther away, while remaining close enough to hear perfectly clear.
"Stay close to Ming and I and this will be over before you know it. I have no idea what to expect from it, but it should still be under the effects of the drug. So we should have the upper hand." Her grip loosened on Korra's temples before her voice faded a bit more. "Once I remove it, it'll be up to Korra and Korra alone to enter her own domain again and find a way to restore Raava."
"Hey! What happened to keeping that a secret!?" Bolin couldn't help but blurt out.
"Relax kid, no one can hear us in here." This voice was unfamiliar to the group and startled his eyes open.
Bolin locked gaze with a massive teal tiger sitting feet from him. "What the!?" he screamed. Startling the rest from their semi dormant state.
"Bolin! What the hell!?" Asami gasped next. Eyes wide and hands desperately trying to contain a wild yelp.
Mako mumbled to himself while stumbling several feet back alongside his brother.
Perched on its hind legs, the giant cat towered nearly eye level with the officer. Its fur a variety of vibrant shades of blue. It's eyes a glowing teal, with the distinct narrow pupil of a feline outlined beneath the radiance. A light mist rolled off its thick shoulders and flared nostrils. Its long tail patting the ground, nocking small clumps of newly formed frost from it's coat.
It raised a massive paw, licking it a few times before wiping it across its face. "Now then. Shall we find this Avatar of yours?"
They all seemed to feel the shame at the same moment. None of them had noticed the empty chamber. Only the three of them and this cat.
"Where is everyone?!" Mako questioned.
"Relax." The tiger stood. "There is a lot more to this mind delving thing than Xin originally told you. This place was meaningful to Korra. Not in a very positive way but still, enough to affect her. It was a good entry point as well as a safe place to hold us once we've contained it."
"Your Ming'Yung aren't you?" Asami was the first to notice.
"Nice to see someone pays attention." It focused its sarcasm towards the earthbender before turning to the door.
"Wait. Where's Xin...and Korra!?"
It stopped just short of the exit. "That's why your here Miss Sato." It motioned with its sizable head through the threshold. "Lead the way."
"How?"
"I get it." Mako seemed to understand something the other two did not. He Turned to face Asami. "When we entered Korra's mind, she might have been drawn to somewhere she felt safe. Am I right?"
"Very perceptive. You catch on quicker than most."
Bolin caught on shortly after. "Well Asami? Where's somewhere she would feel safe?"
"You dated her too,"she told Mako. "why can't you think of a place?" The CEO was caught up in an overwhelming feeling of helplessness and doubt.
"Because she was still the big bad Avatar when we were dating. Look at where we are, in the cell of the one man to truly terrify her. Sure, she was afraid of Amon, but Korra was able to quickly overcome that fear. It took her years to finally get past what Zaheer did to her. You were the only person she opened up to in that time Asami."
As odd as it seemed, sometimes she needed a reminder. Their friendship truly blossomed in that terrible time. It some ways, its what brought them together.
Asami thought hard of such a place. Finally, she remembered. "Well, there is a place in the south pole. She took me there once a few months ago. I don't know if I'd call it her safe place, but Korra likes to go there to clear her mind. It's nestled in the cliffs overlooking the ocean."
A feeling of nostalgia washed over the three of them, bringing back fond memories of when they all first met. They marched towards the passage of the cell with a new found vigor. The younger brothers enthusiasm seemed contagious, even in these dire circumstances.
"Now this is what I'm talking about!" Bolin shouted with glee, wrapping his arms around Asami first, then Mako. "Now lets go find your girlfriend so we can save your girlfriends mom!"
"Rya is not my girlfriend!" Mako bashfully stated.
"What ever lover boy." Asami added with a sly smile.
"Is your younger brother always this...spunky?" Ming asked.
"Of coarse I am! I just needed to find my spark! Whatever this thing is, it better look out! Team Avatar is back!"