Hey everyone sorry it took so long to update. Work has been crazy, and my computer thought it would be fun to retype this entire chapter twice. Anyhow I want to thank everyone for commenting, or reviewing last chapter; remember reviews are writing fuel. As usual I own nothing but the plot, and OC's; now enjoy.
15: Riot
While Republic City was under siege; deep in the mountains two beings more cunning and far more dangerous than dark spirits waited patiently to be unleashed upon the world once more.
"Is there a particular reason you keep hitting the wall, or have you just gone mad?" Zaheer asked as his astral form floated on one side of the platinum cell.
Kuvira stood on the other side in a traditional earth bending stance facing a wall. With her eyes closed she drew back, and slammed her open palm hard against the pure metal.
"No I haven't gone mad, at least not yet anyway; how much longer until we get out of here?" Kuvira asked as she struck the wall again.
"The boy's will is strong, but it shouldn't be much longer." Zaheer said confidently. "If you aren't insane then why do you keep doing that?"
Kuvira sighed as she slammed her hand harder against the wall. "Just because the world expects me to rot away in here doesn't mean that I have any intentions to do so. Toph Beifong herself discovered metal bending while locked in a metal box."
"You are actually trying to bend platinum?" Zaheer asked raising an eyebrow.
Kuvira scoffed as she continued hitting the wall. "Please I gave up on that particular route after my first three months in here. When a metal bender bends it isn't the metal itself we are bending, but the unrefined fragments of earth within. What little earth actually remains in platinum is far too small, and sparsely spread to bend; no matter how skilled you are. What I'm doing is honing my seismic sense."
"Have you made any actual progress?" Zaheer asked mildly interested.
"Since my cell is platinum my current range is limited to within this mountain. Once I'm outside I'll be able to sense farther with much greater detail. Hell by this point I could probably give Aiwei a run for his money as a truth seer."
A small smirk appeared on Zaheer's face at the mention of the traitorous truth seer. "What can you sense within the mountain?"
Kuvira's brow furrowed and she slammed her palm hard against the wall once more. "With all this platinum in the way I can't sense much detail. What I can sense is that there are only two cells in this place. My cell is built high up near the peak while yours was hollowed out deep below the mountain's base. Both our cells and the only entrance are connected by a single elevator shaft. There are only twenty guards, and I can faintly sense you down in your cell."
"That's rather impressive. Is there anything else?" Zaheer asked.
Kuvira's emerald eyes shot open. "Yeah something just entered the mountain," she said as she turned to the astral air bender. "And whatever it is it's definitely not human."
Kuvira moved to the center of the cell, and stomped her foot. "It's big and moving fast," She stomped again. "It's taken out five, eight, no eleven guards."
"Quick worker," Zaheer quipped as he watched the metal bender stomp around the room.
"Very quick," Kuvira muttered. "There went the last guard."
"Where is it now?" Zaheer asked.
"It's stopped in the entry chamber. I don't think it knows what an elevator is." Kuvira said as she turned around to find her cell empty.
"Now that's just plain rude." She said with a scowl.
Now alone Kuvira returned to using her seismic sense to monitor the mysterious creatures progress. After a few minutes she felt the lone elevator begin to move slowly upwards. Excitement and trepidation filled Kuvira as freedom came closer, and closer. Finally after what felt like an eternity the elevator came to a screeching halt on her level. The creature moved slower now, and with it in such close proximity she was able to get a better 'look' at it. It was bipedal, and had a vaguely reptilian form.
With a flash Zaheer reappeared as the creature came to a stop at her cell door. "I couldn't locate the key so you may want to take a few steps back."
Kuvira stared incredulously at the air bending anarchist. "A few steps back? That door is two feet thick solid platinum. How the hell am I supposed out get out of here without the damn key?"
Suddenly the whole cell shook as the creature struck the door hard. As it hit the door again, and again; Kuvira's eyes widened as dents began to appear in the metal. Kuvira quickly backed up against the wall as a series of vicious blows finally forced the door out of its frame.
Zaheer just floated there unfazed as the platinum door passed right through his astral form, and slammed heavily onto the floor. There standing in the door way behind Zaheer was the creature. It was twice as big as any human with a tail, claws, and glowing yellow eyes and facial markings.
"What is that?" Kuvira asked as she watched the creature warily.
"I understand you have considerable knowledge of spirit energy Kuvira, but what do you know about the spirits themselves?" Zaheer responded with a question of his own.
"They are sentient beings native to the spirit world," Kuvira said as she slowly stepped away from the wall. "They are made up of energy allowing them to phase through solid matter, yet they are able to maintain a physical form which allows them to interact with the physical world."
"Very good, Zaheer said with an approving nod. "Like you said spirits are composed of energy. Generally a spirit's energy is positive, or in rare cases neutral. However if a spirit is sufficiently angered, or influenced by an outside source their energy turns negative creating a dark spirit."
As Zaheer spoke the dark spirit turned around, and made its way back towards the elevator. "Now take the elevator down, and release me." Zaheer instructed as he disappeared once again.
She quickly exited her cell, and walked to the elevator. Kuvira then stopped and looked up at the large spirit taking up most of the room in said elevator. "Scoot over." She commanded.
With a slight groan the spirit actually obeyed. Kuvira then entered, and hit the button.
After a long, silent, and awkward trip the elevator reached the lowest level. As the doors opened Fire face was the first out, moving quickly towards the metal barrier.
"Hold it." Kuvira commanded as he drew back to strike the door. "After a year being locked in that damn box this one is mine."
Fire face stepped aside as she approached the sealed barrier. The metal bender reached out with her bending, and seized the door. Normally it took two metal bending white lotus guards to open it. Instead of lifting the door up however Kuvira ripped it from the wall, and crumpled it into a ball with ease. She then proceeded to launch it through the secondary door opening the way in.
"Now that felt good." Kuvira stated as she entered the air benders spacious cell.
Zaheer himself levitated in the center of the chamber with heavy metal chains connecting him to the floor. Glowing crystals provided the only source of light.
"Nice cell; I'll trade you." Kuvira said as Zaheer lowered himself to stand on the ground.
"Get these chains off me, and it's all yours."
With several quick hand movements the chains attached to Zaheer's wrists, ankles, and waist fell to the ground.
"Let's go." Zaheer said as he walked past her rubbing his wrists.
Halfway to the door however a chain suddenly shot out, and wrapped around Zaheer's neck knocking him to the ground. He was then quickly dragged backwards along the floor until he came to a stop at Kuvira's feet.
"What are you doing?" Zaheer growled as he grasped at the chain.
"I'm just ironing out some of the finer points of our agreement," Kuvira said as she stared down at the struggling anarchist. "I will help the red lotus with their plan, but I don't trust you. If you or your order even thinks about crossing me I will kill each and every one of you. Am I understood?"
To prove her point she tightened the chain ever so slightly. Zaheer glared in return, but nodded. When Fire face growled warningly from the door; Kuvira released her hold, and the chain went slack once more.
"Good." She said as she walked past the dark spirit towards the elevator.
Kuvira and Zaheer followed behind Fire face as they entered the entry chamber. Twenty white lotus guards lay scattered and unconscious all around them as they walked towards the exit.
"So what exactly is going on; what is the master plan?" Kuvira asked as they exited the prison.
Dark storm clouds covered the night sky above them, and thunder could be heard booming in the distance. Tall mountains surrounded them on all sides, and the only route back to Republic City was to follow along the river.
"Time is of the essence right now," Zaheer said as he floated six feet up into the open air for the first time in four years. "All your questions will be answered in time, but right now you must return to Republic City, and find the fire bender quickly."
"How exactly am I going to find him, and what should I do after?" Kuvira asked crossing her arms as the cold mountain air blew.
"Follow the spirit; he should be able to find his master swiftly enough," Zaheer said gesturing to fire face. "When you do you are to escape with him into the spirit world. You will then go to Wan Shi Tong's library, and I will meet you there. Above all else however you must keep him alive at all costs."
"What do you mean meet us there; where are you going?" Kuvira asked with a glare.
"If you want answers to your questions then I must reconvene with my order. Now enough wasting time, find him, and keep him safe." Zaheer ordered as he flew off into the sky heading deeper into the mountains away from republic city.
With a growl of frustration Kuvira turned away from the disappearing air bender to look at the river that forked around the mountain prison. "Hunt down and protect Bolin's big brother; simple enough except for the part where I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere!" She yelled the last part into the wind.
Without warning fire face snatched Kuvira off the ground, and the metal bender yelped in surprise as she was thrown over its shoulder. "Hey what the hell are you doing?" Kuvira exclaimed before Fire face took off at supernatural speed back towards republic city.
With a mighty yell Mako and Chief Lin Beifong clashed. Lin quickly sliced left and right with her wrist blades. Mako quickly dodged both strikes, and lashed out with a fire blade. Lin ducked low, and swept Mako's legs out from under him. As he fell she stood to deliver another strike. Rather than hitting the ground however Mako balanced himself on his hands, and kicked out with both legs. A burst of fire from his feet knocked Lin back several feet. She was unharmed thanks to her armor, but the metal was slightly heated up.
Jumping back to his feet Mako unleashed several rapid fire blasts. Lin rolled to the side avoiding the first one, and erected a stone barrier to shield her from the rest. The powerful blasts impacted the stone, but the shield held. With Mako being a prodigy with lightning she didn't dare risk using her metal cables.
After the final blast connected Lin rapidly struck her barrier multiple times. Each blow sent a chunk of the barrier flying towards the fire bender. Mako nimbly dodged the stones before rolling to the ground, and unleashing a wave of fire across the street.
Lin quickly raised herself up on a pillar of earth to avoid the flames. She then began kicking out launching stones from her pillar. Mako shattered the first several stone with quick bursts of flame before launching a massive fire blast towards the pillar causing it to explode.
Before the blast connected Lin leapt from the pillar, and rolled as she hit the ground. Coming to a stop she slammed her palms onto the pavement causing jagged stones to erupt in a line heading right for Mako.
Rather than run away from the attack however he ran towards it. As the stones were about to strike him Mako leapt towards a building, and using jets of flame from his hands he ran up and along the wall towards Lin.
As he came closer Lin only had time to hurl two chinks of earth at him. With a mighty kick Mako launched himself from the two storey height he'd run up to just barely avoiding the first boulder, and destroying the second with a spinning fire kick.
Lin's eyes widened as he then tackled her to the ground. The metal bender rolled back with Mako's momentum, and flipped him onto his back. They both returned to their feet, and Lin quickly moved in for closer combat.
Lin once again extended a single wrist blade, and slashed at Mako twice. The first slash drew first blood as the blade sliced Mako's right forearm. Mako avoided the second slash, and as Lin thrust forward he grabbed her wrist, swung her around, and let go.
Lin crashed into a satomobile with her head slamming against the door window breaking glass. With a pained groan Lin braced herself against the vehicle as the world spun. Blood ran down the side of her face from a small gash on her forehead.
"Don't get me wrong Mako I'm impressed," Lin panted as Mako watched her both warily and worriedly. "But I was expecting something a little more brutal from Vaatu."
"Vaatu is a little preoccupied at the moment." Mako panted as he clutched his bleeding arm.
("Lucky for you mommy dearest") Vaatu growled mockingly in Mako's head.
"This fight is between you and me Lin."
"And why is that Mako?" Lin asked as she turned to face him while wiping some blood away from her eye.
"Well for one reason he has to make sure all these dark spirits behave themselves. The other reason is because I don't want you to die Lin." Mako stated as amber eyes locked with green.
The Chief of police was stunned for a moment at his words, but her surprise was quickly covered by a mask of indifference. "I wish it didn't have to end this way Mako." Lin said emotionlessly as she slowly reached back towards the satomobile behind her.
The sadness in Mako's eyes was replaced by cold determination as he resumed a bending stance. "Don't worry Lin it won't."
Suddenly Lin stomped the ground causing a large chunk of stone to lift in front of her where she then launched it at Mako with a powerful kick. He quickly shattered it with an explosive fire blast filling the space between them with smoke and dust. The shriek of twisting metal pierced the air as Lin leapt through the dust brandishing a satomobile door.
Before Mako could react she swung the door, and struck him broadside. Mako yelled out in pain as he felt two ribs crack. The blow sent him flying through the air, before crashing down hard in the middle of the street.
While Mako got slowly to his feet Lin began walking towards him. As she drew near she extended a single wrist blade. Lin lunged forward aiming directly for his heart.
Mako quickly grabbed her wrists stopping the blade barely an inch away from his chest. They struggled for a moment; each one trying to overwhelm the other with brute strength.
Suddenly Mako diverted Lin's blade arm to the side forcing her to follow. Mako spun around, and twisted her arm behind her back. "Give up Lin." Mako ordered.
Lin glanced back at him, and actually smirked. "You were the best rookie I ever trained." With a sudden twist she reversed their positions, and began charging him towards a wall.
Before he could be slammed into it Mako jumped, and ran up the wall. The sudden maneuver caught Lin by surprise, and forced her to let go. Mako then pushed off, and flipped over Lin putting her between him, and the building.
Lin turned quickly, but she was a second to slow. As she came face to face with him Mako thrust his right arm forward palm open with an explosive blast of fire beginning to erupt. Mako's attack struck Lin right in the stomach, and the explosive force slammed her into the wall.
Lin's body went limp as her head struck stone, and the air was knocked out of her lungs. Mako was the only thing holding her up as she barely clung to consciousness. Smoke drifted up from where his heated palm maintained contact with her armor.
Amber eyes looked sadly into dazed green. "No matter what it will always be an honor to have served under you mom-boss."
After he released a quick surge of electricity Lin finally passed out. Mako then gently lowered her to the ground, and stepped back; leaving a hand print burned into the belly of her armor.
"I'm not going to kill her." Mako stated though there was no one around to hear him.
("I hope you are not going to make a habit of this. Sparing the lives of people trying to kill us doesn't exactly increase our chances of survival.") Vaatu warned from within.
With a final sad look at his hero, and the closest thing he had to a mother the new Dark Avatar turned away, and started walking towards the police cruisers. "Don't worry I won't." Mako said coldly as he passed the other unconscious police officers.
"So what do we do now?" The fire bender asked as he got in, and started one of the vehicles.
("Jus drive north until I say otherwise. With all these new enemies; I think it's time for a friend.")
Oh man things are going from bad to worse. sorry the chapters a little on the short side, but what I have planned next deserves a chapter all it's own. The title and inspiration for this chapter comes from the song (Riot) by Three Days Grace. WARNING: If you decide to look up the song the version you may find may contain a little adult language at one point which may not be appropriate for younger listeners so discretion is advised. Any way thanks for reading, and I look forward to any and all comments, or reviews. until next time.