Chapter Eleven: Attack On Republic City Part 1

War is an interesting concept. A notion as old as time, or at least as old as civilization, depending on how you want to define it. Some say war didn't start until mankind found things to have conflict over. Others say war has occurred way before man even walked the world. However you may see it, war is part of life. As long as there exists difference and disagreement, there exists war. War between the ancients Raava and Vaatu. War between the spirits and humans, with Avatar Wan in the middle. War between the Firenation and the rest of the world, with Avatar Aang in the middle. War wrought by Kuvira's Earth Empire, which was stopped by Avatar Korra. And now this, some things never change it seems. There is always a fight, there's always opposing sides, and there's almost always an Avatar that tries to make the best out of the situation.

The young warrior peeked over the wall to get a sense of the heights he had reached. In hindsight this may not have been such a good idea. Being raised an Earthbender, Nuri automatically felt a little nauseous when he comprehended how far from the ground he actually was. But fortunately it didn't take him too long to recall standing on the summit of the Kazan volcano, this lead to him regaining his composure for the most part. He looked to his left and to his right, almost the entire wall was occupied by United Nation soldiers. Benders and Nonbenders alike. The Nonbenders were geared up with the latest Varrick weaponry and technology. As far as Nuri understood, this technology came from Varrick and company exploring the new spirit portal opened by Korra all those years ago. This was initially for research purposes. But after the Shadowbenders arose, Varrick industries decided to use these new resources to aid mankind in the war. New kinds of spirit vines were harvested for their spirit energy, which was then converted into energy based blasters, canons and swords. Furthermore, new materials were discovered that were harder than any type of metal we are familiar with in the human world. These materials were used to forge armors for the soldiers on the frontlines and of course to reinforce the walls. Naturally these new advances made it so that humans had a far better chance against the Shadows. But since the technology was otherworldly and unreliable, it seemed more like a temporary means of survival instead of a permanent solution. Skillful benders were, as was first discovered by general Iroh the second, also able to fend off the Shadows without using any of the spirit weapons. For this reason, president Yumira surmised that only Nonbender soldiers would be equipped with the weaponry as a means of evening the playing field. Nuri was a little bummed out by this, because he actually thought the weapons looked kind of cool.

"You don't look very nervous" said a voice coming from the left.

"What?"

A young Waterbender was staring curiously at the Avatar, apparently this whole time: "I'm just saying that you seem really calm, how do you that?"

Nuri didn't really feel like talking at a time like this, but decided to humor the younger bender anyway: "It's all about focus kid. Focusing on the task at hand and on what's right in front of you, focusing on the mission. Do you know your mission?"

"To uhh…keep the Shadowbenders out of the city? I mean that's why we're all here right?"

"That yes, but it also helps to have your own personal mission. At least for me it does."

"Oh, what's your personal mission then?"

"I'm going to kill every Shadowbender in existence, to avenge my lost loved ones and to save our reality. I swore it to myself after they took almost everything from me. I'm going to eradicate every single one of them, throw them off the face of the earth, even if it ends in my own death."

The young man looked at Nuri in awe.

"That…is so badass!"

Nuri wasn't quite sure how to respond so he just awkwardly smiled and switched the subject.

"Aren't you a little young to be standing on the frontlines like this?"

"I might be young but I'm one of the best southern Waterbenders you'll ever see!"

"You're from the Southern Water Tribe? What brings you all the way to the city? I can imagine they would need you at home."

"Yeah well, I've never actually been to the South. My parents moved to the Republic before I was born. But after we beat these Shadows, and it's safe to go out there, I'm gonna go visit my homeland and finally meet the rest of my family!"

"Sounds like you do have a personal mission."

"Hey yeah… I guess I do. My name's Yurok by the way, you can call me Yuri."

"Avatar Nuri, but I'm sure you already knew that by the way you've been staring at me."

"Please don't tell the general I spoke to you! He told all the soldiers about you, but we were ordered to give you space so you can do your thing. But I couldn't help it! The Avatar is back and fighting on our side! How am I not supposed to make a big deal out of that?! You're my hero!"

Nuri was now smiling genuinely: "Thanks kid, but remember what I said?"

"Right right! Focus on the mission. I won't let you down!"

The boys shook hands with mutual respect and admiration for one another. Then they both turned their attention to one of the Airbenders that had just returned from her scouting mission, now landing in front of them. Jinora had sent some of her best students to help defend the city. General Him Fei was of course glad with all the help that he could get. The Airbenders were given the order to use their gliders to scout ahead and find out the enemy's location and movements. They had already radioed the whereabouts of the Shadow King's base of operations to the special task force. This Air Nomad girl however apparently had new intel that she wanted to present in person.

"Listen up everybody, the Shadows are approaching at a rapid pace. They have small airplanes and ground troops on horseback, luckily no tanks. I suggest we move to phase two."

The general nodded hesitantly: "Very well, I suppose this is it then. Kyomi, take the rest of the Airbenders and take down those planes. Avatar Nuri, you will descend down the wall with the Firebenders, Waterbenders and swordsmen. Your job is to intercept the ground troops. I will remain on the wall with the Earthbenders, shooters and of course with our canons. We will gun down anyone who gets past the two of you. Those bastards will not take the city on this day, I swear it! Are we all clear on the mission!?"

"Sir yes sir!" the soldiers yelled in unison.

"Good", the general responded firmly, "we will dispatch in five minutes, give them hell!"

Before the mission began Kyomi made her way to Nuri. Apparently Yurok wasn't the only one who wanted to see what the boy Avatar was about.

"So, you're the Avatar huh? I hope you're better than the other one, we're going to need it."

Nuri actually wanted to use this time before the battle to meditate and mentally prepare, but it looks like he wouldn't get the opportunity.

"You're from Jinora's temple aren't you?", he asked, "Were you friends with my sister?"

"Hmph, friends is a bit of an overstatement. We were more like rivals. I didn't even like her all that much if you must know."

"Well, I guess we have that in common then, the part about being rivals I mean."

"I watched her as she saved our home. I hate to admit it ,but it was the most impressive thing I ever witnessed. She really saved all of us, can't take that away from her."

"Really? Well she has always been strong, I can't say I'm surprised."

"Well, I was astounded. What she displayed… It was the first time I ever felt like we had a chance in this fight. I just hope that today, you will surprise me just as much as she did, or hopefully even more. But don't misunderstand me. After all this is over, I'll defeat both of you."

Nunu was smiling again: "I didn't know Airbenders were so… competitive. But I'll hold you to that."

"Good, now if you'll excuse me…"

Kyomi then suddenly dropped herself off the ledge of the wall, leaving her glider behind and giving the boy Avatar quite a scare. It appeared as if she was diving towards death, until she reemerged to the skies. Her fellow Air Nomads followed her on their gliders, to battle. Nuri didn't even have time to fully grasp what Kyomi just exhibited, because the enemy was already visible. It was time. With his heart nearly beating through his chest, Nuri looked to his fellow brothers in arms.

"Firebenders, Waterbenders, swords and shields, hear me now!", he yelled out confidently. "I know that these monsters have made our lives a living hell for the last few years but that all ends today! Today we destroy every last one of them! For our friends, our families and our world!"

He was starting to sound like a real leader, his father would be proud. His squad roared in agreement and followed him into the fight.

Using maneuvering equipment provided by Future Industries, the soldiers grappled down the wall. Nuri was in the lead using fire- and earthbending to descend. When they landed, the Shadows were already approaching, some on animals some on foot. They were unyielding, like nothing could stop them in their tracks. Yet somehow they needed to be halted.

"This is it" , the young man thought to himself, "This is what I've been preparing for all my life, my purpose. They'll pay for what they've done." He then dove straight into the giant frenzy, fire in his hands and earth at his feet. The Avatar was here, and he came to win.

It quickly became clear that the boy had grown in his abilities, effortlessly switching between elements as his foes fell one by one. Disorienting the opposition with his rapid earthbending technique, then going in for a fiery finisher when they were overwhelmed.

While Kyomi and the other Air Nomads took down the enemy airplanes one at a time, Nuri and the other ground troops were right in the middle of the action. And they were doing unexpectedly well. These Shadowbenders weren't as skilled as the one Nuri encountered in Kazan, so they were being dominated by the well-trained militaries. The Varrick weapons proved efficient enough to push them back, and the Water and Firebenders didn't give the adversary any room to advance either. They too had prepared well for this day. Two opposite elements working in symmetry like this was something the Shadowbenders didn't anticipate at all. You'd see a Waterbender freeze a Shadow in place, so that a Firebender could end it. Others utilized lightningbending in combination with water to make quick work of the opponent. Before you knew it, bodies were dropping left and right. At least for now it were the right bodies, no casualties on the Republic's side as of yet. These Shadowbenders, they weren't the dark and invincible spirits everyone was led to believe. These were humans, these were mortal beings. And they were losing.

Nuri looked to his left and to his right, scanning the battlefield. It was then that he discovered his new friend holding back two Shadows with his waterbending. An impressive feat, but he also saw that the kid wasn't going to last very long.

"Yurok get down!", yelled Nuri before launching a boulder in the direction of the struggle.

The kid did as instructed, thereby dodging the Avatar's attack only by a few inches. One of his assailants however wasn't as lucky, and caught the full force of it. Yurok then took it upon himself to eliminate the other Shadowbender with a water whip. The two warriors were now standing back to back, conversating with each other while fending off any approaching offenders.

"Thanks man", said Yurok, "I owe you one."

"Next time be better", Nuri replied mockingly.

"Oh come on, we're winning!"

"It's not over till it's over, till all of them are dead."

"So badass…Hey Nuri?"

"What is it now? I'm trying to concentrate here."

"I understand that, but uhh…what's that?"

"What's what?"

"That thing heading right for us?"

The Avatar turned around to see what the youngster was talking about. That's when he perceived a tall shady figure in the middle of all the commotion, making its way to our heroes. At first glance this didn't seem significant or peculiar, but as it came closer it was absorbing more and more shadow. Because of the way the sun was positioned, the wall itself was casting a huge shade over the battlefield. The Shadowbenders of course anticipated this and used it to their advantage, creating all sorts of weapons and constructions ranging from swords, to tentacles to projectiles. But still, nothing new and nothing the defenses couldn't handle. On the contrary, this particular figure was actually absorbing the shadow into its own being, growing in size with every step it took. A giant colossus with a body completely made out of darkness was persistently moving towards his objective, unfazed by anything that touched him. This was making Nuri disturbed to say the least.

"This is wrong, we have to stop that thing from reaching the wall", Nuri said as he was trying to find radio contact with the air troops. "Kyomi, do you read me? I need some Airbenders to attack that giant from above right now! We can't allow it to get any bigger than it already is! Kyomi? Come in Kyomi! Kyomi?!"

To the boy's frustration there appeared to be some sort of interference, preventing any form of long distance communication with the other squads.

"Damn it! Forget it ,I'll just do it myself. Yuri cover me!"

This is when Avatar Nuri bravely dashed forward, using firebending to propel himself in the right direction and to dodge enemies from all sides. Meanwhile young Yurok tried not to stay too far behind on his ice sled, as he fended off any Shadowbender that got near the Avatar. Eventually, Nuri got close enough to the imminent danger. With both feet rooted in the ground, he gradually raised both his arms. Magma busted from out of the core of the earth, creating a stream of lava between the opposite sides. The intention was to keep the shadowy figure in place, so that it wouldn't continue to make advances towards the wall any more. This was however to no avail, because the creature walked right through the lava without a care in the world, startling our Avatar and his new companion.

"This is bad", Yurok said appalled, "this is bad right!? I feel like this is really bad!"

"What is that thing? A monster?"

"No way! My grandpa once told me about a Waterbender in the swamp that pretended to be a monster by covering his body with vines, secretly bending the water within. I bet it's the same kind of thing here. There's no such thing as…"

Before young Yurok could finish his comparison, the colossus had gotten too close for comfort. Avatar Nuri knew they had to move out of the way as quick as possible before something critical would happen.

"Yuri get out of here!"

It was however too late to get to safety. The shadowbending giant had already made its way through the lava and was now towering over the soldiers. With one fell swoop of its enormous arm, most of Republic City's defensive forces were wiped out. And immediately after that, the beast launched a devastating attack directly at the Avatar and his sidekick. Nuri raised a rocky barrier in hopes of shielding him and Yurok from the impact, but this did close to nothing. A big fist broke through the shielding, and then it all went black.

In the darkness, an eerie but well-known voice spoke to Nuri.

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"Wake up."

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"Wake up my love."

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"You're not giving up that easily are you? Do you hear me Nunu?"

"M… Mary-Liu?"

"Yes Nuri, I'm here."

"But…but how? I killed you…I left you to burn with Kazan."

"Oh you can never truly kill me love, I will always be a part of you. We promised to be together forever, remember?"

"Yes, yes I remember…"

"Anyway, that's not what's important right now. We'll have plenty of time to catch up later. You need to get back to the fight."

"I don't… I don't think I can… I don't think I'm strong enough… I wasn't ready for this. I don't have it in me."

"Nonsense, don't be a weakling. This city and everyone in it is doomed without you. You are the Avatar, step up and do your job. How do you expect to destroy their king if you can't even take care of some big monstrosity?"

"What do you care? Aren't you supposed to be on their side?"

"No, I'm on your side. I don't care if Republic City gets wiped away, I just care about you, and I want to see you succeed. I believe in you Nuri. I believe in you and your power. I believe you can do anything you want with the right push."

"…How do I even beat that thing Mary?"

"The same way you beat me, just find another way."

"Another way?"

"Yes my love, now get up. Get up and kill them all, every last one."

Nuri woke up to see a concerned and panicking Kyomi looming over him.

"Thank the spirits", she said, "I thought we lost you!"

"No I'm… I'm okay. Where is Yuri?" the Avatar asked as he gathered himself.

"I had a few Airbenders fly him to the wall, he was badly hurt but he'll live."

"Good… that's good." You could hear some relief in Nuri's voice. "And the Shadow giant?"

"See for yourself" said Kyomi.

Avatar Nuri looked behind her and saw the commotion at the wall. General Him Fei and the wall troops were urgently launching attacks towards something. Canons and blocks of earth were being fired downward towards the creature, who had grown even bigger since Nuri last laid eyes upon it. It wasn't as huge as the wall itself, but it was still a sight to fear. What was extra impressive, was that it had managed to grow a few extra arms. With these additions, the monster was now climbing up the wall like a gigantic black spider. Needless to say, if it would reach the top and jump over the wall, Republic City and its citizens would be condemned.

"Come on we have to act quick!", Kyomi barked, "we already lost halve of our troops! But no matter what we throw at it, it doesn't seem to budge! Reminds me of this spirit that showed up at our temple."

"Except this isn't a spirit. Master Iroh told me the Shadowbenders are human, and Yurok told be about this Waterbender from the swamp who covered himself in vines to make himself look like a monster. So believe it or not, within that thing there's someone controlling it. We just need to get to that person."

"And how do you suggest we do that?"

"Well direct attacks from above or from the front and back don't work, so we come in from the side. If you can get me close, I can take him out."

"Or her."

"I can take out the Shadowbender."

"Really? And how are you going to do that?"

"You'll just have to trust me, like you trusted my sister. We have to hurry though, he's almost at the top. It's now or never you understand?"

Kyomi looked revolted, but she accepted Nuri's plan: "All right Avatar Nuri, I trust you… Take my hands."

As instructed, the Avatar held on to Kyomi as she rose to the sky, steady and carefully. Nuri felt the thrilling sensation of his feet leaving the earth. His arms stretched while Kyomi held him from above, taking him higher and higher. For a moment he closed his eyes, to savor this blissful moment of ecstasy and euphoria. Walking on air.

He should thank her for this, someday.

But now was not the time for sentimentality. The Shadow titan was nearing the top of the wall, still invulnerable to the resistance. They had to be quick and precise, for they wouldn't get another chance. She increased her flight speed and he braced himself. They were gaining more and more momentum, going faster and faster, until eventually and finally…

"NOW KYOMI!"

The Airbender responded accordingly. She spun the Avatar around and, upon release, threw him as hard as she could towards the intended mark. Kyomi's Airbending followed by Nuri's Firebending jet propulsion, made it so that the young Avatar reached an immense level of speed, almost breaking the sound barrier. The boy closed his right fist, engulfed it in a furious flame, and stretched his arm out in front of him.

"This is for you…father."

In an epic turn of events, he punched right through the beast. Taking whoever was inside it with him. As a consequence, the Shadow giant began to evaporate right before it reached the peak, causing the United Nation's army to rejoice in relief.

"He did it", Kyomi said to herself, "he actually did it" .

Regrettably it wasn't completely over just yet. Both Nuri and this Shadowbender landed on a part of the wall that had slightly shifted forward during the Titan's climbing effort. The Shadowbender, a dark-skinned thin man, was trying to recover while the Avatar did the same.

"Foolish boy!", said the man in disgust, "do you really think your feeble attempts will stop our king? He will succeed where I failed!"

"Too bad you won't be here to see it.", Nuri said right before he struck the man in the stomach.

Nuri made sure that his strike was pivotal and painful, it made the man fall to his knees and cough up blood. They both knew that the Shadowbender was incapable of fighting any longer, while Nuri still had some strength left.

"Please spare me", the man begged. "

"Why would I ever spare anyone like you?" Nuri said cold as he prepared a killing move.

"You are the Avatar, aren't you? You of all people must understand that there's multiple sides to a story, multiple sides to a war! Sides that aren't easily divided by the difference between good and evil. For I am not evil, I took this power only to protect my family!"

Nuri lowered his offence, he didn't expect a Shadowbender to show such… emotion. Usually these things are just mindless puppets or complete psychopaths, or at least that's what he thought. Doubt was clouding his mind as the man continued his plea:

"I was there… I was in Ba Sing Se during the civil war caused by King Wu. It was a nightmare, outstanding Earth folk were at each other's throats like savages. Me and my family stayed in our home to avoid the violence and destruction, but monarchy supporters broke down our door with Earthbending. After knocking me down, they took my wife. She… she died right in front of me, and I was powerless to stop it. They would've taken my children too if the Shadow King hadn't interfered and bestowed this power upon me. I was a nonbending merchant, unable to protect that which I loved. The Shadow King he… he gave me the power to fight back. The power to take a stand. I was supposed to die that night, but I didn't. He saved me!"

The man was now crying real tears, you could almost feel his pain. It turns out that the enemy wasn't that different from us after all. They too felt pain, loss, and regret. Avatar Nuri nevertheless, was unmoved by the man's words.

"Yeah well, he can't save you now."

"Please just, look me in the eyes! Are these the eyes of an evil man?"

"…No", Nuri said admittedly.

Before the kneeling man could reply, Nuri shot a tiny stone precisely between the eyes and into his skull, killing him instantly.

"But it doesn't matter, you made your choice."

As the man laid in the dirt, a voice in the Avatars head spoke once more:

"Well done my love. Now go to him to finish this, then we can finally be together."

Nunu was in the middle of recovering his scattered thoughts when Kyomi landed on the scene. She was of course confused and wanted answers.

"Wh-what happened?", she asked referring to the dead Shadowbender. "Is he… are you okay?"

"He didn't survive the landing, how are we doing in the fight?"

"We uhh… we took down the enemy forces. Most Shadowbenders are defeated, others are giving up. I suppose you can say that we've won the day. You've won the day."

"Good, that's good."

"You don't seem too excited about it."

"That's because the king is still out there, he's the real threat. And my sister is facing him all on her own. I'm going to go and help her."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Maybe you should let your sister handle it, we each have our own mission and orders after all. President Yumira would have never sent her to her death. Besides, aren't you drained after all of this. "

Nuri stared at his palm, his hand was trembling. But he disregarded this and closed it to form a fist.

"No, I'm fine. I have to be the one to face the Shadow King, my sister won't be able to do what is necessary. And I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her, ever. So either point me in the right direction or move out of the way, you can't stop me."

Nuri was serious, it kind of scared the female Airbender.

"… I see. In that case, the king's underground base is approximately 230 miles West from here."

"Thank you Kyomi."

After the Avatar left to fight his next battle, Kyomi noticed something peculiar about the dead Shadowbender. A small hole in the man's forehead, the size of a pebble. As much as she tried to shake the thought, she couldn't help but wonder that…

If things had gone a little different.

If she had chosen to stand in Nuri's way.

That she could've shared the same fate.