51 reviews man you guys are awesome. All these comments, and reviews really mean a lot to me so thank you. Also I want to thank reviwers (Mako Your Awesome), (Muna), (Elijah Jacob), and (Loyal Yakul) for going all out with your reviews. As for the usual disclaimer I own nothing but the plot, and any OC's.

PS: A guest reviewer asked about how some of the dialogue goes. the bolded letters like these in the story are Vaatu speaking only. Mako and Vaatu are permanently bonded, but they are not yet fully merged like Korra and Raava are so they wont be talking in mixed voices until later in the story.

14: No Sacrifice Today

As Vaatu followed after Korra and the falling airship all hell broke loose. No longer held back by his master Fire Face charged at Asami as the minor dark spirits swarmed. When fire face lunged at Asami he was suddenly knocked aside by a pillar of earth.

"I don't think so." Bolin yelled as he stomped his foot to the ground, and pushed forward.

In response to his will and movements the ground in front of him phase changed into lava. Fire face backed away as the molten earth moved closer. Mako needed him now more than ever so Bolin was done holding back.

While the lava bender went toe to toe with fire face everyone else joined the fray. General Iroh managed to coordinate his troops, and begin a counter offensive. Lin Beifong had the majority of her officers form a perimeter to try to contain the battle to within the block.

"Jinora get Asami to safety." Tenzin commanded as he, and Kai worked together to keep the spirits at bay.

With a nod Jinora grabbed Asami's arm, and began leading her through the battle. Elements flew everywhere as benders, and dark spirits clashed. Jinora quickly lead the CEO through the chaos, and if anything got in their way it was met with the business end of an air blade.

"You know Asami this may not be the best time to ask, but Korra mentioned something about a spirit vine generator. How exactly did she and Mako come into contact with one of those?" Jinora asked as she dissipated two serpentine spirits with one slice.

"You know what Jinora you're right; this isn't a good time." Asami replied as she pulled the air nomad back, and pressed her taser gloved left hand to a snarling frog like spirit.

Jinora frowned as the spirit was dissipated in a flash of electricity. Asami drew her glove back, but stood ready in case another attack came.

"Look I'll explain what I can later. Right now we need to help Korra somehow."

"How are we going to help? Vaatu is loose, and I'm pretty sure he's just getting warmed up. Besides how are we even going to find them?" Just as she asked the question Vaatu flew over them closely followed by Korra.

"Dammit Kai's starting to rub off on me." Jinora said as she and Asami took off after the dueling Avatars.

With long distance attacks an ineffective choice Bolin was literally going toe to toe with Fire Face now. By encasing his fists and forearms in stone he was able to use both his bending, and natural strength to give back what the larger dark spirit was dishing out.

Fire face lashed out, but Bolin ducked, and responded with a quick right hook followed by a left upper cut. The duel blows knocked the spirit back.

He may have been an earth bender, but years of probending training had made Bolin as quick on his feet as any air bender.

"Come on big guy I'm right here." Bolin taunted.

Fire face lunged forward, and brought both fists down in a hammer blow. At the last moment Bolin rolled back into a crouch as the blow cracked pavement. Bolin quickly launched his earth gauntlets at the spirit. First the right, then the left forcing fire face to take a step back with each blow. Bolin then drew back and thrust both arms forward summoning up another pillar of earth that struck his opponent in the face. The force of the attack slammed Fire face back into a parked Satomobile crushing the vehicle.

"Come on is that the best you got?" Bolin taunted again as he danced from one foot to the other; waiting for the spirits retaliation.

Glowing yellow eyes narrowed in anger. With a sudden burst of speed Fire face charged forward, and slammed into Bolin. He kept going, and slammed the lava bender into the side of a building. Fire face stepped back, but grabbed Bolin by the throat, and held him aloft.

"You're going to have to do better than that if you want to beat me." Bolin ground out as he grabbed at the clawed hand around his neck.

In response Fire face drew back, and slammed Bolin into the wall twice; the second time hard enough to put cracks in the wall.

"Okay that was better." Bolin wheezed out as his vision spun, and he tried to get the air back into his lungs.

With an angry screech Fire face drew back his free arm to deliver a death blow.

("Enough!")

Fire face froze; claws inches from Bolin's face.

("Release him, and seek out the prison.")

Bolin glanced from the claws in front of his face to the spirits glowing face with equal parts fear and confusion. The spirit's eyes and facial markings had begun glowing red instead of yellow, and its head was cocked to the side as if listening to something. Suddenly Fire face dropped the lava bender to the ground.

"Bolin" Opal cried out as she quickly fought her way towards him.

Just as she reached them Fire face silently took off at supernatural speed heading east.

"Bolin are you alright?" Opal asked as she knelt by her boyfriend's side, and began looking him over for injuries.

"Don't worry Opal I'm fine" Bolin said as he stood painfully to his feet. "But where the hell is he going in such a hurry?"

Standing upon the very top of the future industries building; Mako watched coldly as Korra fell with smoke trailing from her limp form. When she reached halfway to the ground he turned away, and looked out over the city.

("Looks like rain.")

"That didn't kill her" Mako said ignoring Vaatu's comment on the weather. "She is strong enough to live through a lightning bolt, and lucky enough to survive that fall."

("I'm well aware Mako. Korra's continued survival is something we can rectify in a moment. Right now it's time to let chaos reign.")

The wind howled as Mako's eyes glowed red. "Can you feel them Mako; all those spirits?" Vaatu asked to the open air.

("Yes I can.") Mako answered from within.

Vaatu smiled as he gazed out upon Republic city. "Over ten thousand lifetimes as an Avatar, and yet Raava barely scratches the surface of her own power." Vaatu said as he closed his eyes, and focused his energy on the world around him.

Everything was dark until small lights began to appear in the distance. Vaatu continued scanning the city with his eyes closed, seeing nothing but hundreds of lights out in the darkness.

("Spirits?") Mako asked.

"An army Mako; It seems only minor spirits dwell here, but there is enough of them to serve our purposes." Vaatu answered as he opened his eyes.

While Vaatu's power was little more than a quarter of what it once was his power was still considerable. The Dark Avatar drew upon his power, and unleashed a massive pulse of dark energy. As the shockwave spread over the city Vaatu closed his eyes, and watched the once white lights turn purple.

"That should keep them busy for a while." Vaatu panted as he opened his eyes, and grinned.

He then turned, and looked down towards the street where Korra fell. "Let's go see if Korra's luck held out."

Having left the warzone behind Jinora and Asami ran unhindered up the street.

"Did you see where they went?" Asami asked breathlessly as they came to a stop in front of the future industries headquarters.

"No they went this way then; wait up there!" Jinora exclaimed as a flash of light drew her gaze upwards.

Jinora's grey eyes widened as she caught sight of a smoking form falling from the sky.

"KORRA!" Asami screamed.

Without missing a beat Jinora created a small cyclone propelling her rapidly into the air. The air bender caught Korra's limp form, and gently descended to the pavement.

"Korra" Asami yelled as she ran over, and took Korra in her arms.

"She is still alive, but barely. We need to get her out of here." Jinora said as the woman sank gently to the ground cradling Korra gently.

"Dammit Korra don't do this to me. I can't lose you too." Asami sobbed.

Her makeup began to run as tears fell. Asami was rapidly losing her composure as the woman she loved breathed weakly in her arms.

As the three were crouched in the middle of the road onlookers were beginning to gather around; trying to figure out what was happening.

"Is that the Avatar?" a woman asked from the growing crowd.

"Spirits what could have done that to her?" called out a man.

"Asami" Jinora said trying to get the panicking woman's attention.

"Asami!" she said again more forcefully as she placed a hand on her shoulder.

Asami finally looked at Jinora, and she regained some focus.

"We need to get Korra out of here before" Jinora began to say, but was cut off as a pulse of red energy passed over them.

Asami cried out as she clenched her right hand in pain, while holding Korra closer. Any control she had disappearing as screams began to fill the air.

Jinora whirled around to see Vaatu walking away from a fiery landing. The citizens that had gathered around quickly turned tail, and ran. As Vaatu walked slowly towards them he began to lash out with fire blasts; setting parked satomobiles on both sides of the street ablaze. As he came closer fire began to consume more and more of the street.

"Asami we need to go now!" Jinora exclaimed, but Asami just knelt there frozen. She only clutched Korra tighter, and watched in horror as Vaatu came ever closer.

Jinora stood up, and turned to face the Dark Avatar; placing herself between him, and the defenseless CEO and Avatar. What she saw before her was truly a nightmare come to life. Vaatu stood barely ten feet from them with a wolf-batish grin on his face, and the burning vehicles providing a hellish background.

"So she did survive the fall." Vaatu said taking another step closer.

"Stay back!" Jinora yelled.

Grey eyes met crimson, and Vaatu's smile widened. Her heart was beating rapidly, and her hands shook as she assumed a bending stance. "I said stay back!" Jinora yelled again.

Vaatu glanced from Jinora to Korra, and Asami who only stared back with shock and fear in her green eyes.

"Or what child" Vaatu asked turning back to the young air nomad. "Korra isn't here to save you this time, and there is nothing you can do to save her."

Jinora lashed out with a gust of air only to be countered by a quick blast of fire. Her attack diffused most of the flames, but she was still knocked to the ground. With a groan Jinora propped herself up on her elbows, and looked up to find Vaatu now standing right in front of her.

Vaatu smiled wickedly as he drew back his left arm, and fire burst to life in his hand. "Three birds' one stone."

As he made to strike Jinora closed her eyes, and waited, but the flames never came. Jinora slowly opened her eyes to see Vaatu with his arm still drawn back, and muscles straining yet he wasn't moving. His eyes were filled with both surprise, and anger.

"Release me" Vaatu growled out; apparently talking to thin air.

("No Vaatu that's enough.")

("Vengeance is within our grasp now release me!")

("I said no Vaatu; your vengeance is not worth Jinora's life.")

("Asami nearly got you killed, and Korra both betrayed, and tried to kill you.")

("And for that I could care less whether or not they live or die. The air benders however are like family to Bolin, and me.")

Vaatu's right hand clenched into a fist, and the pointer and middle fingers slowly extended. Both Jinora and Vaatu's eyes widened as his right hand shakily moved upwards, and came to hover over his chest with electrical energy beginning to gather.

("You said it yourself I'm done taking orders from anyone, and that includes you Vaatu. Now you either stand down now, or I end this right here and now.")

Vaatu's eyes narrowed at Jinora, and his whole body strained. No matter how he struggled though he could neither release his fire blast nor remove the hand threatening to put a lightning bolt through his heart.

("You can play with my memories and emotions all you want, but this body this life is mine. When I draw a line you don't cross it. Do I make myself clear?")

After a moment Vaatu sighed, and the fire in his left hand went out. "Perfectly"

With that Vaatu regained control, and released the bolt of lightning into the pavement. Jinora flinched as the energy struck the ground. When the dust cleared she opened her eyes to see Vaatu now kneeling before her crimson eyes burning into hers, and his face barely an inch from her own.

"Today appears to be your lucky day girl" Vaatu said coldly. "Cross me again however, and I promise Mako won't be able to protect you."

He then stood up, and stepped back. As he did his eyes stopped glowing, and returned to their natural amber. Mako watched sadly as Jinora got to her feet. Before he could say anything sirens filled the air. Jinora turned to see four police cruisers come to a screeching halt behind Asami, and Korra.

Lin Beifong got out of her vehicle closely followed by six metal benders. Lin ran over to see Asami and Korra while the other officers surrounded Mako, and assumed bending stances.

"Asami what happened?" Lin asked as she knelt down to take a closer look. Asami remained silent; just staring at the wounded Korra in her arms in shock.

"She's hurt really bad Chief." Jinora said as she quickly joined them.

"You two need to get her to the hospital now. Here take my cruiser." Lin said holding out the keys, but Asami didn't move t take them.

Jinora suddenly pushed Lin aside drew back, and slapped Asami hard across the face. "Asami we need to get Korra out of here now, or she is going to die!"

The blow seemed to snap her out of it as she grabbed the keys from Lin. "I'll drive; help me get her in."

Mako watched on coldly as Asami sped away; taking Jinora and the wounded Avatar with her. "So it's your turn to try to stop me chief." Mako said as amber met green.

"This has to stop Mako." Lin replied emotionlessly. The surrounding officers were on a razors edge; waiting for an order from Lin, or one wrong move from Mako.

"Iroh tried to stop us, and he failed miserably. Korra tried to stop us, and now she's knocking on deaths door. If you want this to stop chief then get out of my way. Lin I don't want to hurt you too." Mako said sadly.

"Don't make me do this Mako." Lin said quietly.

Mako laughed humorlessly. "Make you do this? Please you are chief Lin Beifong, daughter of Toph Beifong, and one of the most powerful metal benders in the world. Nobody can make you do anything."

Lin closed her eyes, and sighed. "Take him."

The metal benders lashed out with their cables. The cables wrapped around Mako's wrists, ankles, waist, and throat. The officers pulled taught restraining his movements completely. Mako glanced at his bonds with an unimpressed look, before turning to Lin with a small sad smile.

"Is something funny detective?" Lin asked.

"No it's just ironic being bound like this, and the fact that you would use metal cables on a lightning bender."

Lin's eyes widened as her officers cried out in pain when electricity shot through the metal cables into their armors. The cables went slack as the officers fell to the ground unconscious.

"Enough games chief I am the Dark Avatar now, and forever so what are my options?" Mako asked as he shrugged of the remaining cables.

"Best case scenario life in prison, otherwise death." Lin said as she took up a fighting stance.

"You know I always thought that punishment came after the crime chief." Mako replied taking up his own stance.

"I don't want to do this Mako, but I was there when Vaatu attacked Republic city the first time. I can't, I won't let that happen again." Lin stated with steel in her voice.

"As painful as it may be I would expect nothing less from you Lin" Mako said solemnly. "But I refuse to just throw away my life just, because the world is afraid of what I am. I refuse to be sacrificed. Now please stand aside Lin."

Lin just stood there still as stone the only movement coming from the metal blade extending from her gauntlets.

"So this is how it's going to be?" Mako asked sadly as flame daggers ignited in his hands.

"This is how it must be." Lin said coldly.

Then as thunder roared, and lightning cracked across the sky Mako and Lin Beifong clashed.

Another chapter in. This chapter, and title were inspired by the song (Sacrifice) by Theory of a deadman. as always I recommend giving it a listen and tell me what you think. Any comments, reviews, questions, and constructive criticism is always welcome. Also late reviews are also thoroughly enjoyed. until next time then stay tuned.