Author Notes:

Hey guys! Definitely taking everyone's suggestion into consideration. I've loved the feedback. See something? Got an idea? Let me know! Or you simply want to review the story have at it!

I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

EM ;)

Balance Part 2

Asami- One Month Earlier

I took a deep breath as darkness surged through me. I found it bizarre how the coldness of the black tentacles could burn. It was a pain so severe that my body would twitch uncontrollably around the areas the shadows would cross my flesh.

My vision flickered from the hues of blue of my bedroom to red tints as I felt the incoming invasion.

"Why do you continue to fight it, Goddess?" said the little sprite, Esmay.

I turned to look at her and even though her words were kind, and the expression on her face sympathetic, I knew she was not here for me.

"Don't call me that. I'm not a Goddess."

My voice was infused with pain, but the statement didn't change the expression on Esmay's face.

"You have been given gifts from a spirit as strong as Vaatu. You're learning to control darkness as any bender would bend an element, yet you are neither bender nor human anymore. So, what does that make you?"

"Not a God."

Esmay just chuckled as I felt the twitching get worse.

The first time I regained consciousness, about a week ago, I was in the Northern Watertribe. I couldn't comprehend how I had gotten there and the last thing I remembered was feeling the power of the elements as they enclosed me in the tree. Elements that Korra was controlling.

The memory had caused the first surge of anger and hate. I was so caught off by it, it stole my breath, and just as sudden as my gasp other memories came to the surface.

The entrapment, the pain, the voice… Vaatu's voice, always whispering, always telling me how I had been forgotten and left for dead. How I had been nothing more than a mere worthless human to the Avatar.

I couldn't bear the agony I was going through any longer that I allowed Vaatu, for the first time, to take control of my body willingly. To take away the pain.

Nearly a day had gone by before my eyes flickered open and I was back in control. I could sense that Vaatu didn't care for downtime and had released his control on my body the moment I was alone.

It felt as if I had been running a marathon as my breathing went in and out in rapid successions and I groaned as I felt the pain twitch through my chest.

It was also the same day I met Esmay.

The creature looked so calm as the blue hues of her hair and wings twinkled behind her, and the smell of the sea wafted to my nose.

The smell that had reminded me of Korra had disgusted me.

Esmay explained what had happened to me, the amount of time that I had been sealed away, and what the Avatar had done in the meantime.

At first, I felt the briefest flood of emotions I could only describe as my old human self, surfacing.

I felt it all, the love and sorrow I had felt for leaving Korra and the pain she must have endured, but as the cold burning pain intensified and twitched through my limbs, only Esmay's voice comforted me. The twisted pain somehow dulled the feelings and quieted them until they were no more.

I knew my old feelings and my feelings towards Korra should stay buried with the old Asami. The Asami, Korra had buried herself and not just figuratively.

I wondered what it would feel like to stand in front of my own tombstone?

As Esmay said, I am something else. I am something more powerful than before, something new and reborn… I am like a phoenix who has risen from the ashes.

Esmay floated closer.

Each time I saw her, she seemed to change forms to what suited her whims for that day.

Today her deep red hair waved down her body as her wings fluttered behind her like flickering flames as they changed from orange to red with each movement. Her body was covered with the different hues of autumn leaves, and as always, she stood barefoot in front of me her toes barely touching the ground.

"Why don't you just let Vaatu take the pain away. It only hurts worse when you resist."

I turned away.

I knew it did. I fought him nearly every day, but why? Maybe deep down I still wanted to keep some form of my humanity. A piece of my old self, but there was no way I could.

I looked back and stared into those burning eyes.

I knew Vaatu's plan. I knew the world he envisioned. I saw it as glimpses in my mind and in my dreams every night. What scared me the most was that I reveled in the pain and chaos he wished to bring into his new world. A world he needed me to build. If I helped him so readily, I would lose every bit of goodness left in me.

Memories of the pain I suffered in the tree came back to me. I knew Vaatu brought them to the surfaces because, like me, he can also see brief glimpses of what I m thinking, and I instantly understood what he was trying to convey.

Why shouldn't everyone have a taste of what I went through?

Especially the Avatar.

If someone deserved it, it was her.

I closed my eyes and took a breath and as I opened them my vision was hidden behind a veil of blood reds and the twitching pain was gone. All that there was left was hate, anger, jealousy, and darkness. I inhaled its sweet seductive lull that filled me with invincibility and so much power.

I heard the start of Vaatu's deep voice in my head. For the past week I had ignored the whispers as well, but today I allowed it to freely enter my mind.

Allow me to bring true balance to this world, Asami.

Isn't tranquility nothing more than stagnation?

And aren't governments and nations just an imbalance of power and wealth.

Together let's bring purpose back into this world. Give humans a reason to live and feel in ways they have never felt before because only then will they know what it means to be alive. What it means to truly be free.

After years of being trapped and the constant whispers of Vaatu had led to one of my greatest resentment towards the Avatar. My imprisonment. It had made me realize how much I had taken my life for granted and how I truly wanted to live, but Korra had taken my life, my freedom with the unearned authority of the Avatar.

Wasn't that what she had taken from the world too? Their freedom? And how could she allow the world to become so lifeless, so unnatural? Was she willing to just allow it to rot without a second thought like she did to me?

I heard a laugh rumble in my head as my body stood on its own.

We finally understand each other don't we, Asami?

Yes.

Together Asami. Together let's rebuild this world.

For the first time, it was as if Vaatu and I were truly one. His movement became mine and our consciousness intertwined. No longer did I hide in the recesses of my mind but became a part of what we both wanted.

True Freedom.

Present

One tear that was all I would allow myself to shed when I saw her. And just for that moment, I allowed those arms that held me so affectionally to fill my soul with longing, but as I felt the burn of the tentacles as Vaatu reacted to the touch, I couldn't help but share his distaste.

Those same arms that tried to convey love were also the ones that allowed me to become what I am.

I was sorry. I was sorry she didn't kill me when she had the chance because now all I want is for the world to become as enlightened as me.

Zaheer

"Quickly move the bodies," I said to Ming-Hua and Ghazan.

They both looked at each other, a grim expression on their faces before they got to work.

Each day the deaths seemed more ruthless, and each day I watched as the vessel slowly became the weapon Unalaq described.

The first day I met her I had my doubts. How could this woman, who wasn't even a bender, be the vessel to the great spirit Vaatu? How could this women's body even handle the changes it must endure to house him, but the moment I saw the ancient creature, Esmay, I knew my concerns unwarranted.

Esmay was ancient, and if the teachings were correct, she was even older than Raava and Vaatu. I've only heard in whispers that her kind was from the time before time as were the Lion turtles.

I could only imagine the immense power she has, and by the way she looks at the vessel she surely has played a part in the increase of Vaatu's control and power in that woman's body.

"Zaheer."

I turned my head towards the soft words as the vessels spoke to me.

"My Goddess," I said with a bow.

As I looked back up and into her emerald eyes I could almost see the tint of red behind them. Even if I don't respect the human Vaatu had chosen I see him in that gaze. Watching.

I remind myself he is my path, my strength, my master who liberated me from my earthly tether and allowed me to reach powers in my airbending far beyond anyone in centuries.

"I still have a hard time controlling it," she said as her hand began to glow with the purple power that only Vaatu had.

At first, it had only been a beam of light that shot from her chest but under my instruction and the help of Ming-Hua and P'Li we taught her to use that energy.

The rhythmic movement of a waterbender with the reversal of P'Li unique combustion bending we created a way for the vessel to use such raw and powerful energy from Vaatu.

"You must center yourself, Goddess, breath as you feel the power swell in your chest. Direct it where you want it, how you want, the amount of energy you want to flow through you."

I watched the frustration in her eyes, but a second later her body calmed, and her flame-colored eyes held mine. I did not flinch or look away as she stalked towards me.

The smile on her lips told me it was no longer the vessel, but Vaatu himself.

"That's enough for today, Human."

I bowed at my Master as he exited.

The power the vessel tries to yield might end up being too much for her, even with Vaatu's strength.

Even though she might not be a bender, her fighting skills are vast especially in hand to hand. She easily utilized the tentacles of darkness as if they were an extension of her body, and just with that, she can be considerably deadly.

Once she masters Vaatu's energy, she will be unstoppable even against the Avatar. Unlike Vaatu, Raava always relinquishes control to the Avatar, a weakness Vaatu wishes to use to his advantage.

He, on the other hand, will never wholly give control to the vessel, even if it comes a day his power could destroy her he will do what he must to fulfill his objective.

Until then he patiently waits for her grow and gain the strength for him to fully unleash himself in her body.

Korra

I had lost track of the days since I saw Asami again.

Unable to go home to face my friends with the truth about her, I roamed the Earth Kingdom.

A land so vast that if anyone would go into hiding, it would be there, but I found nothing, not even a whisper of her.

I glided to the steps of the Air Temple knowing that I could no longer hide, not again. I had to face this as the Avatar, but as I raised my hand to open the doors, I saw the sparkle of the ring Asami had made for me.

I turned it with my thumb as a small ache filled my chest.

Without another hesitation, I entered and followed the sounds of chatter and laughter to the cafeteria where all the residents ate.

As I expected, I saw Bolin happily laughing with Opal as Mako ate silently with a slight smile.

I shouldn't have been surprised by their looks of surprised as I neared their table and sat in a chair across from them.

"Hey, guys, don't be so excited to see me."

Bolin was first to react as his broad smile filled his face.

Picking up his dessert he leaned over and placed it in front of me.

"Chocolate on top of chocolate with chocolate ice-cream."

As if I hadn't been practically ignoring them for the past seven years the conversation picked up easily.

"See guys, it's not too sweet! Korra likes it too!"

I couldn't help but laugh as I took a second bite of the overly sweet treat, but as I placed the spoon down, they quieted.

"You aren't back because you're doing better," said Mako as he watched me closely.

I look at my friends taking my time to evaluate each one. They had all matured since the last time I saw them.

Bolin seemed stronger, fuller and even though his smile was still innocent his eyes showed the maturity he always seemed to lack.

I can't say Mako had changed much. He was always mature and the rock of our group, but I knew he must have gained a wide array of experience at Lin's side.

Opal, I don't even remember when she received her airbender tattoos. Had anyone told me? But her soft eyes as she looked at me answered my questions. They had, but I had been so far gone to care for anyone besides myself.

"I'm sorry," I found myself saying. "I had promised I wouldn't retreat into myself again especially after I got hurt all those years ago, but that is exactly what I did. Maybe if I had been more diligent, more open with the truth with you guys maybe this problem wouldn't have happened."

Unconsciously I began to turn my ring with my thumb. A twitch I had developed when I was stressed.

For these past few days, I couldn't blame anyone but myself. If I had gone to the tree earlier if I had asked my friends for help, or even confided in them, would Asami be out there right now… would she be consumed by evil? Or would we have found a way to rescue her?

"What's going on Korra? What are you talking about?" Opal's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Asami's alive."

I looked away rubbing my hand through my hair.

"Not only is she alive, but she's not the same… Vaatu… He somehow leaped into her with the energy of the vine explosion and I was forced to seal her away. I was so heartbroken of what I had done to my own wife that I didn't even think for a second someone would release her. No not her, release Vaatu. I mean how would anyone know!"

I knew I was babbling, and the tears were beginning to stream down my face when Jinora burst open the doors with a blast of air, her eyes instantly locking with mine.

"Oh, thank the spirits you are here too, Korra, hurry everyone you all need to hear this."

Rushing out of the cafeteria, we barreled through Tenzin's office door and saw him, and a few others huddled around the radio.

"What do you mean the Queen has been assassinated?!" Tenzin yelled into the mic of the radio.

"Yes! We need Avatar Korra as soon as possible!"

I took the mic from his hand as I felt my heart began to beat through my chest.

"This is Avatar Korra. Tell me what happened."

"We aren't exactly sure. There were only two soldiers that survived the incident. They said a demon burst through the palace doors and they had to watch as it sliced and tore everyone apart with its black tentacles."

"Was it a spirit?" Asked Jinora.

In my heart, I knew the answer would be no.

"No, well I don't know, it looked like a woman, but she had a mask on and she… she trapped the queen in the tentacles, and that's when a man came out. Before anyone else could get near the man, he swirled a sphere of air around her head suffocating her. The worst part was that the demon laughed as it held the lifeless body of the queen and with a lift of her hand the body was consumed in purple light and vaporized."

I heard the gasps around me, but I remained calm.

"How did the two soldiers survive?"

There was a moment of hesitation.

"They survived to send a message. 'Tell the leaders of the nations today is the start of a new world and I being the sword that will cleanse the past. Let go of the misused power you hold over your nation or be dealt a worst death than the Earth Queen'... There is something else, Avatar Korra. Unalaq Chief of the Northern Watertribe was there."

The last sentence shocked me. My uncle had been there?

"Was he captured?"

"No, he was seen leading them out of the palace."

"I will try my best to send reinforcements to control the situation."

"Thank you, Avatar Korra."

As I lowered the mic everyone in the room was looking at me for direction. I had already failed once as the Avatar and stood a bit straighter before talking.

"Opal contact your mother and send forces to keep Ba Sing Se under control, but before you go, I have to tell you that I think Asami is behind this."

Their surprised expression made me further explain the situation from beginning to end, hoping maybe they would understand or at least believe me.

"So, it's not Asami, but Vaatu?" asked Jinora.

"Honestly, I don't know. All I know is that something emerged from that tree and it wasn't my wife."

"So, what's the plan Korra?" asked Mako.

"We go and visit my Uncle."

Unalaq

"That was magnificent," I said as I watched the dust of the dead Queen begin to float away. "You truly have learned to control the power of darkness."

She lifted a shoulder as she turned away and began to walk.

"As I told the survivors, this is a new world. A world that doesn't need selfish scum like that walking through it."

She turned to face me, the white half skull mask covering the top half of her face making her seem more demonic than God-like.

The deep red cloak over her head increased the shadows that hid her face but brighten her red eyes, and as she moved you could not distinguish the black tentacles wrapped around her tight black suit.

It had been a sight to watch her fight as she unleashed the whips of darkness from her body to the unaware soldiers as she approached. Even when the bravest of them tried to fight back her movement was so fluid and graceful that it was mind-boggling how that elegant dance was leaving dead bodies in her wake.

She had looked so breathtaking and so frightening at the same time I didn't know whether I wanted to run away or fall at her feet.

Even as her crimson eyes faded away leaving her natural emerald eyes, they sparked fear in my heart by how empty and dead they looked.

"Do not forget the only reason you are allowed to live is that you freed me."

I bowed low understanding my place. I may become the ruler of the nations, but never the ruler of the Goddess.

End of Chapter Notes

If you all haven't noticed I've taken a spin to Zaheer's philosophies in season 3 of LOK. Vaatu (in my story) is using those philosophies to confuse and control Asami as well as strengthing the darkness Asami has within herself fueling her hatred and twisting everything including her memories from the past.

Till next time,

EM ;)