Chapter 36
Oogi flew towards the Southern Spirit Portal. "This is it, we will fight Unalaq and defeat Vaatu," said Korra as she looked at the icy desert that lay beneath the bison.
"Of course we will. Unalaq may be powerful, but he hasn't seen me yet," smiled Azula as she sent fire on the ground.
"We need to be extra careful," said Asami, "Who knows what kind of plans Unalaq has made? He is not only a powerful Water Bender, but can also apparently command the Dark Spirits,"
"I agree. While we defeated his forces and freed the capital, we need to make be careful around him. Unlike his troops, Unalaq is very smart and will anticipate an attack," said Tenzin
"Relax Zinzin, we will defeat him. But for that, we do need to use strategy," said Azula as the bison continued flying.
"Korra," said Tonraq, "I know that we will face my brother, your Uncle. We will also likely face your cousins. Please restrain your strength and don't hurt your cousins, as I doubt they truly agree with Unalaq's plans,"
Korra looked at her father. "I will try, but if they force me, I would have to fight them," said Korra
"I know," said Tonraq as he hugged his daughter.
"Tonraq, sir, I will protect Korra," said Asami
"I know you will. But be careful Asami, you are the only combatant who is not a bender. While fighting a bender is one thing, fighting spirits is totally different. From what I've seen, it is difficult for a bender to keep Dark Spirits at a distance, and for a non bender it would be even harder," said Tonraq
"Don't worry Tonraq, I will be fine," said Asami as Korra looked at Asami and Tonraq.
"She is a nice woman, this Asami," said Raava, speaking to Korra
"Yes, Asami is special," said Korra
"I see the portal," said Jinora as she pointed towards the glowing yellow ray of light that rose out of one area in the frozen tundra upwards, and created a long cylindrical shape. The others saw it and continued flying.
"Slower Oogi, go slower, we are almost there," said Tenzin as the bison slowed down and soon began its descent.
A few minutes later, the bison landed on the ground close to the Southern Spirit Portal but far enough so that the Northern troops would not spot them.
"Let's make camp and prepare a plan," said Tonraq as others nodded.
The group soon sat in a circle, discussing suggestions. "Let's make a frontal assault," said Korra
"Too risky. We need to get to their camp undetected and then sabotage their machinery, so that we wont have to deal with their troops," said Asami
"I will seat here. I did not expect to use so much energy at the battle. I guess my body isn't as young as it was when I chased your predecessor," said Azula
"Grandmother, can you promise not to hurt Jinora or Opal?" asked Asami
"Any why would I do that?" said Azula, smirking, "Now, I never said that I wont tell them stories about the war,"
"Azula," said Tenzin
"Toughen up Zinzin, your daughter and this girl need to know more about the war. For instance, do you guys want to know about that time my lightning almost hit Katara, but stupid Zuzu caught it and redirected the energy?" said Azula
"Of course I know about that fight," said Jinora, taking Azula's challenge, "And I read much more adult books on war, so this does not scare me,"
"Your eldest is a tough bookworm," said Azula, "Alright, but do you want to know how Zuzu got his scar? It was a burning tragedy,"
"Azula, enough," said Tenzin as Azula smirked.
"We need to focus on the battle," said Asami
"I agree. Come, lets finish this," said Korra as she and Asami walked towards the camp.
"I have an idea. Get in the snow, and create an underground tunnel. Then, we will arrive in a tent, and they wont see us," said Asami. Korra thought about this suggestion and then nodded, creating a hole in the snow. The two women climbed inside. Korra then began to create the tunnel leading to the camp.
The others looked at the newly forming tunnel.
"Look Mako, I am a badger mole," said Bolin as he jumped in the snow
"Alright, alright, I get it Bo, but can you please not sing anything about badger moles cause I heard one guy on the radio singing such a song and it was horrible," said Mako as he too jumped into the hole following his brother. Tonraq and Tenzin followed.
The group of six people crawled in the tunnel beneath the ground, moving slowly. As they moved, they did so under the base, and the Northern troops were not even aware that a small group of people would soon enter their base.
A few minutes later, Korra pushed the final bits of snow. Asami grabbed a knife from her boot and cut the tent's floor, creating a hole in the fabric. Korra pushed the snow inside the tent, finally forming an exit.
Korra and Asami were the first two people who entered the tent. Mako and Bolin soon arrived, with Tenzin and Tonraq arriving last.
"That was a genius idea, Asami," said Tonraq. "My brother is unaware of our presence in his base,"
"We need to make sure that the Northern troops wont bother us while we fight Unalaq and the Dark Spirits," said Mako
"We can use the Snow storm bending," said Korra, "while I bend, Asami could jump and disarm and knock down the enemy soldiers, so that they wont bother us,"
"Good plan, Korra. Since I am an Air Bender, and I move fast, perhaps I can help," said Tenzin
"We all can help. The more of us strike at once, the faster we defeat the Northern troops, especially with an element of surprise on our side," said Tonraq as Korra lifted her arms.
"Start snow bending as soon as I open the curtain," said Tonraq as Korra nodded. Her father waited and opened the curtain to the tent. Korra began to move her arms, and the snow in the camp around the Southern Spirit Portal made the visibility extremely poor.
Asami was the first one to exit the tent. She jumped and ran to the first guard, then after sending him to the ground, she hit the next one. The others joined her, and the entire group minus Korra fought the guards. After a brief ten-minute fight, Korra lowered the snow back to the ground. All guards were lying on the ground, with no one standing by the spirit portal.
"Let's go," said Korra as the group of six people approached the glowing tall cylinder of yellow light.
"Korra," said Asami, touching Korra's shoulder, "Don't rush. We don't know what kind of danger awaits us beyond this portal,"
"I know Asami, but I've seen this land, at least the portion where Wan and Vaatu fought. I go this. Back me up, but I think I can defeat Unalaq by myself," said Korra
"I know, but please be careful," said Asami as Korra made the first step. When she entered, she looked around and saw the familiar surroundings of the land where she had a vision of Wan fighting Vaatu.
Asami entered the Spirit World, then the others followed. "This is the Spirit World? It is amazing," said Asami
"I bet the rest is even better. From what I've seen, this is the land that connects the Spirit and Material Worlds, not the actual Spirit World per se," said Korra as the group quietly walked in the new land, trying to find Unalaq
The six people walked for about fifteen minutes, and then saw the person who began all this madness. "Brother, it is not too late to end this madness. Come, let's leave our past behind," said Tonraq as he looked at his brother who stood on a hill in front of the group.
"On the contrary, brother, I am on the verge of changing the world. Both the Spiritual and Material World need change, change that I am willing to bring in it," said Unalaq, "over the millennia, the world became a horrible place, and I intent to change it to its former glory, to a time when spirits and humans lived harmoniously,"
"Uncle, you cannot bargain with us. You will either come quietly and discuss the terms of your surrender with Dad, or we will defeat you and then we will decide what the outcome would be," said Korra
"Give it up, brother. Your army is defeated, our troops have landed and captured the capitol," said Tonraq
"I know that, brother, but I am not so worried," said Unalaq
"We just captured back the capital and defeated your army! Why aren't you worried, Uncle?" said Korra, as she sent a jet of water at Unalaq. Unalaq causally extended his hand, and threw the water away from him.
"Of course you did. I knew you would. How else would I not know that, if I learned about your so-called alliance? But you played straight into my hand. You see Korra, by first fighting my troops, you exhausted yourself, so now, when facing me you will surely fail," said Unalaq
"Brother, please, let's end this peacefully," said Tonraq as Korra sent yet another jet of water, which Unalaq just as casually redirected and sent on the ground.
"You are no longer a part of my family, Tonraq. I orchestrated your banishment, and can you believe the irony in that you destroyed a sacred spiritual area, with my motivation of course, and your daughter is the Avatar? But fear not, she wont be the Avatar for much long," said Unalaq
"Then what are you waiting? Are you afraid of fighting us by yourself? There are six of us, and only one of you," said Korra
"Actually, I have my children by my side," said Unalaq, as Desna and Eska arrived on the scene and prepared to fight.
"You see, it did not matter what you would do, since at the end, I would win regardless of your strategy. Fine, if it's the battle you want, I will grant you your wish. Eska, Desna, fight them, but leave the Avatar to me," said Unalaq as his children jumped and began sending water at the group. Predictably, Korra separated and ran towards her Uncle.
Korra entered into the Avatar State and prepared to fight her Uncle, but the Dark Spirits attacked her. Unalaq laughed, "now, don't you think that I would fight the almighty Avatar without help?" asked Unalaq as Korra used her spirit bending to fight the spirits, while Unalaq kept sending water and ice at Korra
"What are you waiting for? Why are you dodging my attacks?" cried Korra as Unalaq was evading her bending.
"I am just preparing for my victory," said Unalaq as he fought Korra.
While Korra and Unalaq fought one another, the rest of the Team Avatar fought his children. While Eska and Desna could only bend water, they were very formidable opponents.
With a few movements, Eska froze Bolin in a block of ice, making the Earth Bender unable to move. Only Bolin's head and neck were not frozen in the ice.
"Bolin!" said Mako as Desna sent a water jet at Mako, and then with a few quick movements Eska froze Mako as well.
"Desna, Eska, you are my family, don't make me fight you," said Tonraq as he easily redirected the water attacks the twin had sent at him.
"I know Uncle, but we have to fight you. You are our enemy," said Desna as they kept fighting.
Tenzin evaded all the attacks, but once Eska froze his right foot. Tenzin fell on the ground, and Desna immediately created chains out of ice that restrained the Air Bending Master.
Asami jumped but before she could hit the twins, a Dark Sprit flew towards her, grabbed Asami by her arms, and flew away.
"Uncle," said Desna
"We are sorry," said Eska as they prepared to fight Tonraq once more.
"I am sorry too," said Tonraq as he easily evaded their attacks.
The twins sent ice at Tonraq, temporarily freezing him.
The ice cracked.
Tonraq was free. A snow wave formed beneath him. Tonraq sat on it, and approached his niece and nephew. When he collided with them, Tonraq exchanged many water attacks, before easily freezing both Eska and Desna, making sure they could not move.
The twin tried to move but couldn't. "I am sorry that it had to be this way," said Tonraq as he ran to help Korra.
"I know about your plan, Unalaq! You want to fuse with Vaatu," said Korra as she sent an ice spike that Unalaq sent on the ground.
"How perceptive, Avatar Korra. Yes, I fully intent to fuse with Vaatu and become the one true Avatar, while your age will be over," said Vaatu as the Dark Spirit next to him carried a human.
"Asami," cried Korra as the Dark Spirit lifted Asami higher in the air, so that Korra could not reach her girlfriend.
"Asami Sato. Truly, I am disappointed in you, Avatar Korra. I knew of course that you were reckless, that you did not like to meditate and do other spiritual exercises, but to fall in love with a woman? How could this be? Well, it is possible that she saw a stupid person and used her wicked nature to corrupt you," said Unalaq, "But it does not matter. By the time I am done with you, your relationship will be over. Neither of you will be alive,"
"Release Asami," said Korra as she entered the Avatar State but more Dark Spirits flew at her, holding Korra's arms.
"Why should I? Wait, fine. I will release Asami Sato. The world does not need such a wicked woman," said Unalaq
"She is not wicked, I love her," screamed Korra as purple energy began to slowly surround Asami's legs.
"It does not matter now. When the purple energy fully covers Miss Sato's body, she would be finally released. Her spirit would be destroyed," said Unalaq. A tear escaped Asami's eye.
"Don't do this," said Korra as she looked on the ground, defeated.
"I see when I finally won. You still can save Asami, but only if you open the Northern Spirit Portal," said Unalaq as he looked at Korra
Korra saw that the purple energy reached Asami's waist. "Fine, you won, I will open the other spirit portal," said Korra as the purple energy stopped ascending, not moving any further.
The Dark Spirits released Korra and the Avatar landed on the ground. "You better not betray me, or she would die," said Unalaq as Korra swallowed and walked towards the other spirit portal.
Korra's hand touched the ball of energy. Korra's eyes began glowing as the spiritual energy passed through her body. The energy in the sphere collapsed and then shot high in the sky; the thin tall golden cylinder paralleled the other spirit portal.
"I am so sorry," said Korra as she looked at Asami
"Thank you Korra. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, it's time to destroy the wicked," said Unalaq
"But you promised, Uncle," said Korra
"Yes, yes I did, but Asami Sato is evil. Her kind should not exist," said Unalaq as he prepared to continue his technique of moving purple energy, but a fireball hit Unalaq, sending him away. Asami fell on the ground, and the purple energy had disappeared.
"You hurt my granddaughter," said Azula as she sent another fireball. This second fire attack hit Unalaq's clothes and head. While he quickly sent water at his body, it was already damaged enough for healing not to work. Some of his hair was burnt.
"Are you alright, Little Sami?" asked Azula as she held her granddaughter in her hands.
"Korra?" asked Tonraq as he too reached the Avatar, "How did you get here before me?"
"I flew using Fire Bending," smirked Azula as she then once again hugged Asami.
"Asami, it's alright, you are safe," said Korra as she approached Asami and also hugged her.
"Korra, I," said Asami
"Don't listen to Unalaq, he only told lies. He is just a bigot," said Korra. She looked Asami in her green eyes.
"My, how touching," said Unalaq as he used Water Bending to rise in the air. Suddenly, the sky began to darken, and the earth beneath the group shook.
"The Harmonic Convergence," said Korra
"Yes, the Harmonic convergence," smiled Unalaq as the energies from both portals shoot everywhere. The energy rays then began to lower. They connected, forming an arch, with the highest point forming right above the tree of time, where the Dark Spirit of Chaos Vaatu resided.
"Thank you for completing my mission," said Unalaq as the energies from both spirit portals hyper charged and send energy at the tree of time. After an explosion occurred, the huge Dark Spirit finally escaped his confinement.
"I am free. Let's begin the ten thousand years of darkness," said Vaatu as he finally escaped the tree of time, flying around in the sky of the land that connected the Material and the Spirit Worlds.
"No," said Korra as she saw that Vaatu escaped.
"Korra, I am so sorry that he used me to force you to free Vaatu," said Asami
"Don't worry Asami, it was not your fault. I love you, there was no choice for me to make," said Korra as the two women stood around. Vaatu flew at Korra.
"This is it," said Korra as she looked at Vaatu.
"My name is Avatar Korra, and I will stop you," said Korra as she entered the Avatar State and rose in the air, getting ready to fight the Spirit of Chaos. Vaatu flew at her, and the battle between the Avatar and the Dark Spirit had begun.
A/N: Next chapter, Korra versus Vaatu. Chapter 38: Vaatu's defeat. The next chapters will feature interesting moments. Here, Azula got mad at Unalaq and burned his face, and while Unalaq's face is nowhere near as bad as what Zuko had, Unalaq did lose quite a bit of hair.