Alright here we go chapter 16. Before we get started I want to thank everyone who commented, or reviewed. Also I want to congratulate everyone who caught the Kung fu Panda reference in chapter 14 which reviewer (shadowedstormy) pointed out in a review. Anyhow as for the usual disclaimer I only own the plot, and OC's.
16: Hello & Goodbye
All across Republic City dark spirits ran rampant causing wanton destruction. United Forces soldiers had been called in full force to engage the spirits. The police were doing everything they could to keep civilians away from the fighting. Even the triads were beginning to join the fray. The city wide emergency broadcast system was being used urge citizens to remain inside, and to seek shelter.
Smoke from burning satomobiles and several minor fires billowed up into the stormy skies above. Bolts of lightning danced across the sky as thunder boomed with each one. With everything in a state of pandemonium barely anyone cared about, or even noticed Fire face making his way quickly through the city. The large dark spirit finally came to a stop before the front steps of the police station, and unceremoniously dropped his agitated passenger to the ground.
With a growl of annoyance Kuvira picked herself up, and glared at Fire face. "Thanks for the ride, but if you ever do that again; you and me are going to have a problem."
Fire face just stood there staring at her blankly; seemingly unconcerned with her warning. After holding her icy stare for a moment more Kuvira turned away, and took in the city around her.
"So where is your master anyway?" Kuvira asked as she tried to fix her windswept hair.
With a deep groan Fire face looked towards the police station.
"He's in there?" She asked following his gaze.
With another groan he shook his head no, and Kuvira frowned.
"Well if he's not here then why the hell are we?" she asked impatiently.
To Kuvira's surprise Fire face actually rolled his glowing yellow eyes, and pointed a clawed finger first at her then to the station.
"Hey I just got out of one prison; I have no intentions of going back, especially on the same damn day I got out." Kuvira said angrily.
Yellow eyes narrowed, and Fire face growled as he was beginning to lose what little patients any dark spirit has.
"Hey don't get testy with me; you're the one who can't talk." Kuvira growled.
With an annoyed grunt Fire face gestured to all the mayhem going on around them, and pointed south. He then pointed to the police station again.
"Spirits I hate charades," Kuvira sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay I'm guessing your master is that way, but he's coming here?"
Fire face nodded.
"Wouldn't it be faster if we just went to him?" the metal bender asked.
With a shake of his head Fire face ripped out a small chunk of road. He then gestured to her with the fist sized stone, then to the police station again. Seeing that Kuvira was still confused Fire face then held up his other arm, and balanced the stone on it. Kuvira looked from the station to the stone on his arm.
"So you want me to go inside, and stone on your arm; stone arm, stone arm, stone armor!" Kuvira exclaimed as she suddenly realized what the spirit wanted.
"Alright you stay out here, and wait for him; while I go inside, and see if they've got anything in my size." Kuvira said as she turned around, and began walking up to the station.
With the city being turned into a warzone again; there wasn't going to be many cops in there anyway.
After driving north for a few minutes Vaatu began giving directions that finally lead them to the police station.
"You know instead of leading me around town you could have just said go to the police station." Mako said with an annoyed groan as he came to a stop, and got out of the cruiser.
("I could have, but then I wouldn't have had any time to just enjoy my handiwork.") Vaatu replied from within; referring to the army of dark spirits currently trashing the city.
"I hate you." Mako stated as he neared the front steps, and Fire face approached him.
("I know," Vaatu said smugly. "Your hatred makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.")
Deciding to just ignore Vaatu instead; Mako stopped and turned to Fire face. "Go to the personnel parking garage across the street, find parking spaces eight, and eleven, and have fun."
The spirit just stared at him for a moment before turning, and making his way to the garage.
"I could get used to this," Mako said as he watched Fire face slowly disappears inside. When the first satomobile alarm began to go off Mako smiled, and went into the station.
("Considering the fact that I find the errand you just sent him on to be immensely satisfying; I'll go along with it, but try not to have them do anything more than what they are already doing. Maintaining a hold on an army this size requires a lot of energy, and right now we're burning more then we're getting back. Now do something about that arm.")
Mako was aware of the burning pain on his right forearm where Lin had cut him, but he couldn't help but smirk at the annoyance in Vaatu's voice.
"I've seen you with giant holes blasted into you before, and yet one cut is getting to you?"
("That was when I was just a spirit. I've never actually bled before, and I can't say I'm enjoying the experience.")
Mako grabbed a first aid kit from the wall, and made his way over to his desk. Sitting down slowly as to not agitate his cracked ribs he proceeded to clean and bandage his wound.
As he was finishing Mako looked around the station. Every desk was empty. There were some knocked over chairs, and even a few half eaten dinners. Everyone had definitely left in a hurry.
"There's no one here." Mako stated with a frown.
("Gee I wonder why.") Vaatu said sarcastically. Had he been more than just a voice in Mako's head there probably would have been a matching eye roll.
"I know why everyone's gone smart ass. What's weird is there should be at least two officers here to guard the station. It's police policy." Mako explained as he got up, and went to the locker room.
Opening his locker he quickly changed into a pair of his police uniform pant and boots. Lacking a shirt, or a spare white tank top he just threw on a black long coat.
"You said something about friends. Who would possibly want to be friends with a monster like us?" Mako asked bitterly as he zipped up his coat.
("There is no going back Mako; what we've become cannot be undone," Vaatu said sensing Mako's resentment. "The sooner you accept that the better.")
"I have accepted it!" Mako snapped. "That doesn't mean I have to like it. Now who are these friends?"
("I use the term friends loosely. They are more along the lines of fellow monsters willing to ally with us in the pursuit of mutual survival. In fact they should be here right now.")
Mako left the locker room, and headed to the elevator deciding to search the station from the top down. His search actually started, and ended on the third floor.
As Mako stepped out of the elevator he was met with a complete mess. The entire third floor office area was a disaster. Desks were scattered, papers and files everywhere, and even the ceiling was missing some tiles. What really caught Mako's attention however was Lu and Gang tied back to back, gagged, and hanging upside down from the ceiling with metal cables.
When the two detectives caught sight of him they began trying desperately to talk through their gags. Mako came to stand in front of them as they swung back and forth slightly.
While his face was blank Mako couldn't quite keep the amusement from his eyes, or voice. "Hey guys how's it hanging?"
Lu and Gang started yelling angrily through their gags, and began to thrash wildly.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry, Mako said trying to calm them down, but it wasn't easy with a smile on his face.
"The person who did this; where did they go?" he asked.
After a moment Lu nods with his head towards Lin's office.
"Alright you two hang here; I'll be right back." Ignoring their gagged protests Mako walked over to the office, and went inside.
The moment he entered the office a small metal ball bearing shot towards Mako's head. Acting on pure instinct Mako caught it just before it struck his forehead with his left hand, and lit a fire in his right.
"Nice reflexes." A woman said with amusement in her voice.
There sitting behind Lin's desk was Kuvira. She was dressed in Lin's spare suit of armor with her feet propped up on the desk next to an open bottle of fire whisky. In one hand she held a half empty glass, and the other was twirling lazily with two more ball bearings spinning above.
"Are you here to try to kill me too?" Mako asked sounding more bored than surprised at seeing the former great uniter again.
"No; want some?" Kuvira asked gesturing to the fire whisky.
"That's Beifong's secret stash. It only ever comes out on special occasions." Mako said as he flashed back to the day he was promoted to detective, and Lin shared a glass with him to celebrate.
Kuvira shrugged. "I just got out of prison." She offered as she took a small sip.
Kuvira was truly a master of appearing calm and in control, but after years of serving under Chief Beifong; Mako could tell it was an act. Her green eyes were observing him carefully, taking in every detail, watching every move.
("Sounds like a good enough reason for me, now play nice Mako.")
At Vaatu's advice Mako extinguished his flame, and slowly sat down across from the metal bender. Kuvira relaxed subtly as he then grabbed the bottle, and poured himself a half glass.
"So why are you here then?" Mako asked taking a small sip.
"The red lotus sent me. They want you alive, and I'm supposed to make sure you stay that way." Kuvira said as she put her feet down, and drew the ball bearing back to rejoin the other two floating over her hand.
("Where is Zaheer?")
"You let Zaheer out?" Mako asked with a frown.
"Yeah your pet spirit out there got a two for one deal. Break out a metal bending dictator; you get an air bending anarchist for free."
"You know there is something different about you," Mako stated casually as he leaned back. "The sense of humor and the playful sarcasm are new."
Kuvira smirked. "I got them in prison; they make talking to yourself more fun."
("If you're done flirting, ask her where Zaheer is.") Vaatu asked in annoyance.
Mako frowned, but complied. "Where is Zaheer? He's got answers I want, and I've got a lightning bolt with his name on it."
Kuvira grinned. "I don't know where he is. Zaheer sent me to find you while he went to meet up with the rest of the red lotus. If you really want to give him that lightning bolt though; he said for us to meet up with him at some library in the spirit world."
("Wan Shi Tong's library; let's get going we've wasted enough time, and our power is wearing thin.")
"Alright hold your ostrich-horses." Mako grumbled as he finished his drink.
"Excuse me?" Kuvira asked as she arched an eyebrow in confusion.
"It's nothing," Mako said standing up, and waving her off. "The spirit of chaos and darkness talking in my head is just getting impatient."
They just stared at each other for a minute until Kuvira downed the rest of her glass in one gulp, and slammed it down on the desk.
"In that case let's not keep him waiting; I can get my explanation later." Kuvira said as she corked the bottle of fire whisky, and set it in a packed duffle bag setting next to the desk. It appeared to have several first aid kits, and some food along with the whisky.
"You're coming with?" Mako asked as she stood up, and grabbed the bag.
"You have questions that you want answered, and I have mine; so between getting my answers and having nothing better to do it looks like I'm going to be your bodyguard until further notice. Now come on I've had two glasses, and you're driving." Kuvira said walking out of the office.
Mako followed her out, but stopped next to Lu and Gang. "I'll meet you out front in a minute; there is something I need to take care of before we leave."
Kuvira nodded, and took the elevator down. Once the doors closed Mako removed the gags from their mouths, and stepped back.
"Come on rookie get us down!" Gang exclaimed.
"Yeah hurry up before she comes back!" Lu added.
"You know what guys it really has been fun working with you. Between all the joke and pranks we've all shared quite a few laughs at my expense." Mako said with a smirk.
"Uh yeah they were good times weren't they." Lu chuckled nervously.
"Yeah that's what we've always liked most about you Mako you could always take a joke." Gang added.
"That's the thing though guys; I'm done taking jokes." Mako said taking several steps back.
Flames came to life in his hands, and his eyes glowed crimson. "You may want to hold still."
"Are you ready to go?" Kuvira asked as she stood next to the police cruiser. Standing next to her was Fire face who was holding a single tire that appeared to have a bite taken out of it.
"Yes we are." Vaatu said as he walked out of the police station, and came to stand before the large dark spirit. As crimson eyes looked up into yellow; Fire face crouched low in submission now looking up at the Dark Avatar.
"You have served us well young one; you may go in peace." Vaatu said with a wave of his hand and a gentle smile.
At his words a peaceful expression came over the spirits face. Its form slowly turned from dark purple to white, and then faded away back to the spirit world.
"Why did you send him away?" Kuvira asked as she got into the passenger seat.
"Because we have you now," Vaatu replied as he got in, and his eyes returned to amber.
"Now hold on." Mako said as he gunned the engine, and took off quickly in the direction of the spirit portal.
The winds howled and swirled around Zaheer as he flew through the mountains. As he was passing over yet another frozen peak a flash of light from below caught his attention. At the last possible moment Zaheer spun to the side barely avoiding a bolt of lightning. Coming to halt midair Zaheer glared down to see a lone figure standing on a mountain ridge. Seeing no further attacks coming his way Zaheer flew down level with the man.
"Zaheer long time no see. Where have you been hiding under a rock?" The man asked with a chuckle, and a wicked grin.
"You know there are less lethal ways to get someone's attention." Zaheer stated with a frown.
"Less lethal ways yes, but not nearly half as fun." He replied with a chuckle.
"What are you doing here Shen?" Zaheer growled.
"You asked for a red lotus member to make sure those triad losers didn't screw up; they sent me. I take it since you're out and about you actually managed to succeed in your assignment. The grand lotus was beginning to worry that you'd screwed up 'again'." Shen taunted.
"The mission was successful." Zaheer stated.
"The first part of the mission was successful. Believe me this game is only just getting started. Now follow me; the old man wants to have a word with you."
"Come on Mako where are you?" Bolin muttered to himself
By this point the fighting had spread all over Republic City. United Forces soldiers were deployed everywhere facing dark spirits. The fighting was furious, but the spirits were slowly being forced back. With Korra in the hospital and Chief Beifong not answering her radio; Bolin and Opal had taken to the skies.
"Can you see anything?" Opal called back from the front of Juicy's saddle.
"No just smoke and spirits." Bolin called back as he looked over the side.
As he continued scanning the chaos below Bolin caught sight of something; a vehicle was moving quickly along the streets below. At first he almost wrote it off as just another police cruiser, but when Bolin looked closer he saw that rather than attacking the vehicle like they did the others; dark spirits were moving out of, or clearing the way for it.
"I think I see him!" Bolin exclaimed as he looked ahead. "I think he's heading for the portal; we can't let him leave."
"Don't worry Bolin we'll stop him. Come on Juicy yip yip." Opal called out with a flick of the reigns.
"Where the hell did you learn to drive?" Kuvira exclaimed as Mako swerved wildly to avoid a crashed satomobile.
"Don't worry; between a few lessons from the triads, and all the high speed chases I've got plenty of driving experience." Mako said with a grin, and sped up.
Soldiers, cops, and spirits alike dove out of the way as he weaved through the streets.
"Watch out!" Kuvira yelled as a soldier was knocked backwards into the road.
Before he could be hit however a spirits glowing eyes turned red, and it quickly pulled the soldier out of the cruiser's path.
("Would you hurry up!" Vaatu complained from within. "It's bad enough that you won't let me kill, but having me rescue people like that is not good for my fearsome reputation.")
("We've turned Republic city into a warzone, and left Korra knocking on death's door. Your reputation will be just fine.") Mako thought back.
After several more minutes they arrived at the vine covered clearing with the spirit portal at the very center.
"Hold on!" Mako yelled as the police cruiser shot over the edge, and dropped several feet into the massive crater. After bouncing from the impact Mako kept driving rapidly towards the portal.
"Whoa!" The fire bender yelled as a flying bison landed right in their path.
Mako quickly swerved to the right, but a larger vine struck a tire in the side causing the vehicle to roll five times before coming to a stop upside down.
"Mako!" Bolin yelled as he jumped off Juicy, and began running towards the wreck.
As soon as Opal hopped off to follow Juicy took off into the air. The sky bison was loyal to his master, but he could sense something predatory very close by.
Twenty feet from the wreck Opal and Bolin stopped as the driver side door was blasted off by a burst of flame. Mako crawled out, and slowly stood up to face the couple.
"Hey Bo" Mako called out weakly as he clutched his right side where his cracked ribs were.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he smiled sadly. "You know if you wanted to get my attention you could have just waved."
A look of devastation appeared on the younger brother's face.
"No," Bolin said shaking his head. "No, no, no, no! You can't make jokes now; things aren't that bad."
"I'm sorry bro, but they are. Hell the situation is just getting worse by the second." Mako replied sadly.
Opal just stood back quietly watching the two brothers.
"It's not too late Mako; we can fix this. We can save you." Bolin said desperately as he got closer.
"No Bolin it is too late. I can't be fixed; I can't be saved. I am the Dark Avatar now, and nobody not even Korra can change that. Vaatu and I are one in the same now; I am the monster everyone fears."
"You're not a monster!" Bolin screamed with tears in his eyes. "You're my brother."
"You can't give up Mako; you can't lose hope." Opal said as she began to approach as well.
"No!" Mako yelled as his eyes turned red, and with a wave of his hand raised a wall of fire between them, and him.
"There is no hope for us Opal. That's why Korra tried to kill us. That's why Lin tried to kill us. That's why the world wants us dead!" Vaatu exclaimed as Mako's emotional turmoil began to affect him as well.
"No," Bolin said shaking his head in disbelief. "Korra would never give up on anyone. She promised me."
"Mako thought the same thing. He still had hope that she would stand by his side, and fight against me until the bitter end. He thought she would always have his back like he promised to always have hers. Mako believed that right up until she stabbed him in the back." As soon as Vaatu stopped talking he shook his head, and crimson eyes returned to amber.
"Well that's going to get annoying real fast." Mako stated as he spat out some blood.
While the fire bender was momentarily distracted by Vaatu's interruption; Opal summoned a gust of wind to extinguish the wall of fire.
"I'm not giving up on you Mako." Bolin said firmly as he moved closer.
"No Bolin" Mako stated as he glared at his brother. "You have to."
"What?" Bolin asked in disbelief.
Mako just shook his head as tears began to fall. "Everything was taken from us Bo, and we had to fight tooth and claw every day for what little we had. Look at you now; you are a famous mover star, a war hero. You have friends, family, and a home now. You have Opal, and a bright future together with her. Would you really give all that up for me?"
("You already know his answer Mako.") Vaatu said mournfully from within. The spirit of chaos felt Mako's sorrow as keenly as a knife slowly piercing their now shared heart.
Bolin just stared silently at Mako until he felt a smaller delicate hand slip into his. He turned to see Opal with tears falling from her eyes as she looked deeply into his. Opal the woman he loved looked up at him, and with a sad smile she gave a small nod. Bolin had been there for her when her family was in danger; whatever he decided now she would stand by him.
Bolin slowly turned back to Mako with determination in his eyes. "You're my brother Mako of course I would."
("Damn him!" Vaatu roared. "Why can't he understand? Why must he do this to us?") Vaatu howled from within.
Mako shared in Vaatu's anguish, but he remained outwardly calm. "As your brother I can't let you do that. This world wants me dead Bolin, and while it doesn't care if you're standing between it and me; I do. This is my fight Bolin not yours."
With every word Bolin's dread grew. "Mako stop." He sobbed.
"Please Mako." Opal beseeched desperately.
"A line has been drawn, and I love you too much to let you cross it. So please Bo give up on me, and be happy. Live the life you deserve." Mako begged.
"I can't do that Mako." Bolin said with tears falling down his face.
"You don't understand Bo," Mako said igniting flames in each hand. "I'm not giving you a choice."
Suddenly Mako launched twin blasts of fire into the ground between them. The explosive force knocked both Opal and Bolin back several feet. Using air bending Opal was able to back flip into a fighting stance, while Bolin rolled backwards, and up into an earth bending stance.
"Mako stop! We don't want to fight you." Bolin yelled.
Bolin's plea was only met with more fire blasts forcing the two to dodge.
"Bolin we have to bring him down!" Opal yelled as she countered a fire blast with an air current.
Bolin quickly raised an earth shield to block a blast. "Alright, but don't hurt him."
"Even if I wasn't sworn to a life of non-violence; I'm pretty sure hurting him is easier said than done." Opal replied.
The young couple then began to work together. Bolin would counter his brother's fire blasts with chunks of stone allowing Opal to use decisive air strikes to force the fire bender back. Slowly, but surely Mako was forced onto the defensive. Bolin then launched two stones simultaneously forcing Mako to respond with twin fire blasts. Though the stones were shattered Mako's counter left him wide open to Opal.
Seeing her chance Opal leapt into the air to deliver a spinning air kick. Before she could bend the air into the attack however; a metal cable lashed around her ankle, and dragged her to the ground.
"It doesn't matter if I've drank a whole bottle of fire whisky; from now on I'm driving." Kuvira said as she began retracting the cable pulling Opal away from the brothers.
"Kuvira?" Opal gasps as she stares up at the metal bender in shock.
"It's nice to see you too Opal," Kuvira said with a small smile. "How about we give these two a moment so they can finish saying goodbye?"
The surprise from Kuvira's sudden appearance distracted Bolin long enough for Mako to go back on the offensive. With a flurry of rapid blasts he began to force Bolin back away from the girls.
"Opal!" Bolin called out as he saw his girlfriend in trouble, but Mako's fire kept him at bay.
"Give up Bo!" Mako demanded as he blocked the way to Opal and Kuvira.
"Never!" Bolin yelled back as he assumed the probending stance that Toza had taught him all those years ago.
With tears in his eyes, and a sad smile Mako answered Bolin's unspoken challenge, and assumed a probending stance of his own.
The two brothers stood there silently several yards apart; neither one of them moving. Years of practice and training in the probending ring had taught them to wait for their opponent, and strike at the opportune moment. Dark storm clouds swirled above them as the wind howled through the clearing. Kuvira and Opal watched on silently as the brothers faced off with the spirit portal barely twenty feet beyond them.
The world seemed to fall silent around them, and everything seemed to still. The tension lasted for what felt like hours to everyone present when it was actually mere seconds. Finally the world flashed bright as lightning arced across the sky closely followed by a boom of thunder.
In that moment Mako launched a probending regulation fire ball. Bolin quickly side stepped the attack, and sent two small chunks of stone in return.
Mako took a step forward as he ducked the first stone. He then destroyed the second one with a flaming uppercut before launching a fire kick.
Bolin ducked low, and rolled forward into a kneeling position where he quickly launched two more stones.
Seeing the stones flying at him with one high, and the other low; Mako leapt forward, and rolled horizontally so the stones passed over, and under him. Bolin quickly launched another stone as Mako landed forcing the fire bender to shatter the stone.
The brothers had started out roughly twenty feet apart, but with each move and counter move they came closer and closer until they were too close to dodge anymore.
With each step Bolin would launch a small piece of earth as he drew closer. Mako shattered every stone with a small fire blast, and matched Bolin step for step until there was only one foot between them.
Sad amber eyes locked with tearful green as they both drew back for one final strike. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as they both lunged forward.
With flames in hand Mako's right hand shot forward. Orange flames filled Bolin's vision as the fire neared his face. At the last possible second, just as Bolin could begin to feel the heat; Mako diverted his aim, and released a massive, lethal blast of fire over Bolin's shoulder. At the same time rather than launching a stone Bolin lunged forward, and wrapped his big brother in a tight hug.
"I can't give up on you," Bolin sobbed into Mako's shoulder. "I love you."
Mako closed his eyes tight, and returned the embrace. "I love you too Bo," Mako whispered. "That's why this is goodbye."
Mako's hug tightened, and Bolin cried out as electricity shot through his system. Mako maintained the nonlethal charge until he felt Bolin lose consciousness, and go limp in his arms.
"Bolin!" Opal screamed.
Kuvira silently retracted her cable allowing the air bender to run over to the brothers. Opal fell to her knees, and cradled Bolin's head in her lap as Mako gently laid him down.
Mako just stepped back, and looked down on the two sadly. After a moment he felt a hand gently rest on his shoulder. Glancing back he saw Kuvira with the packed duffle bag over her shoulder.
"We need to go." She said quietly.
Mako nodded, and she began making her way towards the portal. As he turned to leave Mako stopped, and looked back at the young air bender who'd stolen his brother's heart. "Opal," Mako asked gently as tearful green eyes looked into his. "Please take good care of him."
Opal looked as though she wanted to say something, but she stopped, and only nodded instead. Satisfied, but none the less heartbroken Mako walked away.
As the newly born Dark Avatar entered the spirit portal; the yellow and green energy flared crimson. Opal watched awestruck as the portal energy began to flare erratically. She was so focused that she never noticed the single form high up among the clouds enter the spirit world just as the portal closed.
With the light from the portal gone the world seemed so much darker as the rain finally began to fall.
Oh man I nearly ripped out my own heart writing this one. This is one of my longer, and in my opinion better chapters. No song/inspiration title for this one, but if any of you can think of a song to match id like to hear it. Now this is probably getting old, but I just cant encourage you guys enough to comment, or review. whether its about this chapter, previous chapters, or about the story in general; if you've got a thought, or an opinion I would really love to hear it. Your feedback means so much to me. Anyway that's all for now; until next time stay tuned.