Thank you all so much for all those awesome reviews. they were the spinach I needed to knock out this; my new longest chapter to date. please keep up the reviews, and I'll do my best to keep at this fic. As for the usual disclaimer I own nothing but the plot, OC's, and an OC name for a cannon character. Before we begin I want to wish Muna the best of luck with what she's going through, and that she makes a full recovery. get well soon. Now on with the story.
18: I Ayeon
Passing through the portal greatly differed from Kuvira's first journey to the spirit world. On that day Korra had not only bested her, but saved her life as well. The Avatar had used her energy bending to split the blast from her spirit vine energy cannon, and in the process tore another rift between the worlds.
As she passed through the portal she could feel the warm energy flow through her very being. It was a far cry from what she had felt on her first trip. First was the intense heat from the spirit energy flowing around them followed by a bright flash of light. After that she learned what oblivion felt like. Time seemed to have no meaning as she was scattered like grains of sand only to be reassembled piece by piece. Suffice to say walking through an established portal was both faster, and much less weird to say the least.
The warm rush of energy aside walking through the portal was just like walking through a door. One second she was in a dark, storming Republic City; the next she was back in the bright flower filled valley of the spirit world. Massive peaks of pure ice stood resolute in the distance. Ancient leafless trees grew randomly around the field.
For a moment the human world was forgotten as Kuvira took in the wild beauty around her with a small smile on her lips. Her life was in ruins in the mortal world. She had no home, no family, no friends, and her only options were life locked inside a platinum box, or to be hunted wherever she went. Here in the spirit world however it was a whole new game.
Kuvira's musings were cut short as the sound of crackling energy filled the air, and a red glow was cast over her. Turning around she saw the spirit portal had turned red, and arcs of energy flared around it. After a minute Mako stumbled through the portal; he was clutching his side, and his eyes were glowing crimson.
Half turning back the fire bender held his open palm out to the portal. Kuvira was shocked to see the portal begin to flicker. Then with a growl of frustration he slowly clenched his fist, and the portal disappeared. Only the Avatar was supposed to be able to open, or close the spirit portals.
"Are you alright?" Kuvira asked as she started to approach, but stopped when he began to laugh.
It started as a chuckle, but it slowly began to build until his head was thrown back in wild laughter. Slightly unnerved Kuvira took a small step back, and watched him warily. As his laughter reached its apex it suddenly shifted into a yell of pure anguish, and he released a massive blast of fire. The flames struck a nearby tree, and obliterated it. All that was left were chunks of scorched wood, and a charred stump.
Kuvira quickly looked at the decimated tree, then back to see Mako fall to his knees breathing heavily with tears falling from his crimson eyes. Seeing that he wasn't trying to incinerate anything else she began to approach him again more cautiously this time.
"Okay by this point it's probably a stupid question, but are you okay?" Kuvira asked again as she came to stand before him.
He was breathing rapidly, but after he took a slow deep breath he looked up into her green eyes.
"Yes we are okay," Vaatu said as he shakily stood up still clutching his side. "I was just having a little emotional overload. I'm finally free after more than 10,000 years, and this damn human heart won't let me enjoy it."
Kuvira frowned at his answer. "I take it I'm not talking to Bolin's brother right now am I?"
Vaatu smirked as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "So what gave me away the glowing red eyes, or my talk of human hearts, and their over abundance of strange emotions?"
"Both are pretty good giveaways, but it was the maniacal laughter that tipped me off," She replied as she crossed her arms, and cocked an eyebrow. "Now who and what exactly am I talking too?"
Vaatu's smirk shifted into a wolf batish grin that would be considered frightening to almost anyone else. "I am Vaatu the great spirit of chaos and darkness, lord of all dark spirits, and the herald of 10,000 years of darkness."
Kuvira just stared at him looking completely unimpressed. "Vaatu huh; you know you do sound familiar. Did you have anything to do with that Unavaatu creature that attacked Republic City a few years back?"
Vaatu scowled at her lack of awe, or fear that everyone else displayed when they found themselves in his presence. "Yes that was my first attempt."
"Attempt at what?" She asked.
Vaatu's grin returned. "At becoming the Dark Avatar and crushing that pathetic excuse for an Avatar Korra."
"Wait so you are an Avatar?" Kuvira said in surprise.
"The Dark Avatar to be exact." Vaatu corrected with a nod.
"And you were able to defeat Korra?" Kuvira asked now sounding impressed.
The Dark Avatar grinned. "Even at a fraction of my power I was more than able to hold my own against her, but I must admit it was Mako and his lightning bolt that put her down."
"So Korra is dead?" The metal bender asked.
Vaatu's grin disappeared, and was replaced by an annoyed scowl. "Much to my discontent no; she is still alive. Between that meddlesome air bender girl, and Mako's damnable resolve not to harm her; Korra was left clinging to life by a thread."
At the dark spirits admission Kuvira cocks her head to the side, and looked him over again. "So Mako is the one in charge here; you follow his commands."
"I am the spirit of chaos; no one can command me." Vaatu stated firmly as he glared at her.
"Yeah whatever you say; now can you get Mako out here? I would rather talk with the man in charge." The metal bender said with a smirk as she poked at Vaatu's ego which was too big for her taste.
"Mind your tone with me wench," Vaatu growled warningly. "I am the most powerful being in both worlds, and you will show me respect."
Rather than backing down as Vaatu expected Kuvira actually stepped closer, and looked him right in the eyes. "First of all you are only half of the most powerful being in both worlds, and from what you told me the lesser half. Secondly after going up against Korra with only a 'fraction' of your power you must be getting pretty tired; especially after you struggled to close that portal. Between that, and your three cracked ribs I'm pretty sure I could kick your ass as easily as I did Korra's in our first fight. If you want my respect you'll have to earn it the old fashioned way like everyone else."
Vaatu's crimson eyes were opened wide in shock at this woman's audacity, but then narrowed dangerously as he glared back into her green eyes.
("Now, now Vaatu play nice.") Mako chided from within before the dark spirit could say anything else.
("I'm starting to think I should have left her in that platinum box.") Vaatu thought back as he continued to glare silently at Kuvira.
("Then why'd you break her out?") Mako asked.
Vaatu sighed mentally. ("As much as I hate to admit it; taking down Korra, raising an army of dark spirits, and closing that portal has drained what little power I had. At this point I would be hard pressed to control even one minor spirit. It will take some time for my power to build back up, and until then it will be up to you to keep us alive. While you are strong we are still vulnerable, and I wanted someone powerful to watch our back.")
("Well based on what I know of her, and past experience she was probably the best possible choice. She is strong, determined, smart, skilled, and one of the most powerful benders in the world. Then there's the fact the world sees her as much of a monster as us. If the world wasn't hunting us right now they'd be hunting her.")
("I am well aware of her qualifications Mako; there is no need for you to go over her resume.") Vaatu snapped irritably.
("On top of all that there is the fact that she has been in a glaring contest with you for the past three minutes, and has yet to blink once. If she is brave enough to stand face to face with you; then she can face anything, and with the entire world after us that makes her invaluable.") Mako said trying to appeal to Vaatu's pride.
The dark spirit remained silent as he considered Mako's words. ("She is still a Naga.") Vaatu thought flatly.
("I never said she wasn't.") Mako thought back smugly.
With their internal debate over Vaatu returned his full attention to Kuvira, and smirked. "I'll admit I'm a little winded at the moment, but that doesn't mean I can't roast you alive right here and now wench. You can thank the 'man in charge' for convincing me not to oh great uniter."
Before she could respond his eyes regained their amber color, and Mako stumbled back a step still clutching his ribs. Seeing that she was no longer speaking with Vaatu Kuvira's demeanor softened a fraction.
"Are you alright?" She asked again as she placed a hand on his shoulder to help steady him.
"Honestly no I'm not, but I'll live." Mako said tiredly as he took in their flower filled surroundings.
("Which way to Wan Shi Tong's library?") Mako thought.
("Start heading west.") Vaatu answered.
("And west would be which way exactly?")
("On your left oh brilliant detective.") Vaatu said impatiently.
"Come on; Vaatu says the library is this way." Mako said as he began walking away.
Kuvira wanted to object, but decided to just follow instead, and tend to his wounds later. With three cracked ribs there was no way he could travel far.
After traveling for roughly two hours Kuvira was beginning to think she'd underestimated the fire bender. Upon leaving the flower filled field they had found a narrow path that wound its way between the mountains of ice.
With the way Mako was clutching his side, and breathing heavily she could tell his injuries were beginning to wear on him. Despite the pain he must be enduring Mako set a grueling pace, and every time she asked if he wanted to stop he refused. Kuvira was well aware of how stubborn she was, but now she was beginning to understand why people found that particular trait annoying.
"Why are you doing this?" Kuvira asked as the icy canyon ended, and they entered a vast forest.
"I've done a lot of things today; you'll have to be more specific oh great uniter." Mako said as he stepped over a large root.
The trees around them were unlike anything either of them had ever seen. The trees were massive, and had a beautiful combination of purple leaves, and azure pine needles.
A small pebble flew through the air, and thumped Mako in the back of the head. He spun around with a glare to see Kuvira sporting a glare of her own.
"The great uniter is dead. My name is Kuvira." She said sternly.
"Alright then Kuvira why am I doing what?" Mako asked.
"Running away," Kuvira said as she stepped closer, and looked him in the eyes. "You brought Republic City to its knees in one day. You had an army of dark spirits at your back, and you went toe to toe with Korra, and won. Even if there was anyone dared to chase after us you closed the portal; why are you still running?"
"I'm running, because I never wanted any of this'" Mako growled as he turned, and continued walking with Kuvira quickly following.
"I didn't want to become what I am. Vaatu picked me, and the red lotus managed to merge us. The next thing I know my life is ripped apart again, and while Vaatu is ripping me apart from the inside; everyone I know and trusted was trying to kill me. Korra, Chief Beifong, the entire freaking United Republic tries their best to put me down and you know what the worst part is?" Mako demanded as he turned back to Kuvira angrily.
She met his heated gaze, but remained silent. "The one person I needed to give up on me wouldn't."
Kuvira looked away as she recalled his fight with Bolin. No matter how much Mako had begged and pleaded; the lava bender refused to give up on his older brother.
"I'm sorry." Kuvira whispered.
"Why would you feel sorry for me? You don't know me; you have no reason to care." Mako said coldly.
Kuvira's green eyes locked with his amber. Her gaze held no anger as he expected, but a deep sadness that he understood all too well. "I may not know you very well Mako, but I do know how it feel to lose everything. To have the place you called home turn on you, and the people closest to your heart to want you dead. I know how it feels to have the world turn its back on you, and call you monster."
Mako sighed sadly as he looked away from her emerald gaze. "We are running because Vaatu needs time to regain his strength and because it's less painful for me to run than to stop, and think about everything that's happened. All I have left is my life, and no one is going to take that from me; not Korra, not the world, no one."
"If it weren't for you I would have spent the rest of my life in a platinum box. You gave me my freedom and a chance at something more. You don't just have your life Mako; you have me at your back, and if anyone wants to take your life they'll have to go through me first." Kuvira said with a newfound respect in her eyes at finding his resolve to be as ironclad as her own.
Mako nodded thankfully, and they continued making their way deeper into the massive forest in companionable silence.
We need to stop Mako." Kuvira ordered placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "There are better ways of taking your mind off things than running yourself to death."
They had entered the strange forest over an hour ago, and his breathing had become ragged, and his side was burning.
("I loathe to admit it, but she is right Mako.") Vaatu added from within.
The Dark Avatar sighed as he leaned against a tree. ("How long do you think it will take for us to get to the library from here?") Mako asked the chaos spirit.
"Mako?" Kuvira asked as she noticed him staring off into the distance.
("I don't know just keep heading north.") Vaatu replied.
("I thought you said for us to go west.") Mako interjected.
"Mako?" Kuvira asked only to be ignored once again.
("Oh did I say west? Then keep going that way then.") Vaatu said easily.
("You don't know where the library is do you?") Mako demanded angrily.
("Of course I know where it is," Vaatu snapped indignantly. "I've just never traveled there in such a mundane way as this before. This whole walking thing is throwing off my keen sense of direction.")
"Hello Mako; are you there?" Kuvira asked as she waved her hand in front of his face.
"And you didn't think to mention that!" Mako suddenly yelled causing the metal bender to flinch back in surprise.
"Mention what; what is going on?" Kuvira demanded quickly.
"Oh nothing much; Mako has just gotten us lost is all." Vaatu said casually as Mako's eyes flared red.
Mako quickly shook his head, and regained control. "He's right Kuvira I did get us lost by following the directions of an arrogant, overgrown, talking kite with the same sense of direction as moss!" He yelled into the open air.
("There is no call for childish name calling you spiky haired lightning monkey.") Vaatu replied arrogantly.
"Alright that's enough." Kuvira commanded firmly with a steely glare.
Both halves of the Dark Avatar stopped arguing, and he turned to look at her.
"First of all for now on when you two are having a private discussion raise your hand, or something so I don't look like an idiot talking to a deaf man."
("Tell the wench we could hear her just fine. As for her looking like an idiot well that's a problem she's had long before she met us.") Vaatu said from within.
"Alright we can do that." Mako conceded as he kept Vaatu's comment to himself.
"Secondly," Kuvira continued. "All we have to do is ask someone for directions."
("You know that option never actually occurred to me.") Vaatu said honestly.
"Well Vaatu is useless so I'm open to suggestions. Who do we ask?" Mako conceded.
Rather than answering Kuvira closed her eyes, and raised her right foot. Like when Lin did it the metal plates slid back to expose her bare foot. She then stomped down sending out vibrations into the surrounding area.
"I sense some spirits roughly a half mile that way." Kuvira said as she began walking with Mako following quickly alongside her.
They continued walking in silence until Kuvira's curiosity got the better of her.
"So what is it like having Vaatu in your head?" she asked.
Mako's brow furrowed as he thought of the best way to describe his newfound connection to the dark spirit. "For the most part it's like he's not even there. Then he starts talking, and then it's like I have a CB radio in my head that I can't turn off. What's more I can feel his emotions; his anger, his pride, and though he won't admit to it his fear. I can feel them all, and they mix with mine, and it effects me. If I'm not careful, he's also able to snatch control from me like when he was talking to you."
"That must get very annoying very quickly." Kuvira said glancing at him before turning back to the path.
"Believe me you have no idea." Mako said with a small grin.
("First of all that wasn't fear it was survival instinct, and if anyone has the right to complain about being effected by someone else's emotions it's me.") Vaatu complained, but Mako ignored him.
"Can you bend the other elements now that you're an Avatar?" she asked.
Mako shook his head. "No I'm just a fire bender. What makes us an Avatar isn't the number of elements we can bend, but the spirits we've been merged with. Korra is fused with Raava the great spirit of order and light. I drew the short straw, and got fused with her opposite half."
("Her better half, and you're not exactly my first choice either city boy.") Vaatu mentally interjected.
"Why is it that you have to fight Vaatu for control, while Korra doesn't?" Kuvira asked.
"That's because Korra and Raava are fully merged. Vaatu and I are fused, but it will take some time for us to fully mix together." Mako answered.
"Vaatu the great spirit of chaos and darkness," Kuvira said ominously. "He struck me more as arrogant rather than pure evil."
Mako gave a short laugh. "Vaatu is plenty arrogant, but a word of caution. It might be fun to push his buttons, but believe me his bite is far worse than his bark. Just ask Korra."
"I'll keep that in mind." Kuvira said with a nod.
After a few more minutes of walking in silence they caught sight of a clearing up ahead, and they could faintly hear voices. The faint breeze carried what sounded like laughter and yelling.
"I sensed about five spirits up ahead so let's stay hidden, and see what exactly we are walking into." Kuvira said commandingly.
Mako glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. "Look I know you used to command an army, and you both conquered and ruled the entire earth kingdom with an iron fist, but Vaatu isn't one to take orders, and since everyone I trusted turned on me I don't follow orders anymore either."
"Don't think of them as orders then. Imagine them as suggestions that I insist you follow." She countered with a smile.
Mako smiled back. "Sounds good to me." He said quietly as they crept up behind a tree big enough to hide them booth, and slowly glanced around into the clearing.
What the two fugitives saw was definitely not what they were expecting. The clearing was about three acres big. The side opposite of them was a large stone cliff face. At its base was a large hot spring with large rounded boulders strategically placed around, or in it. Just in front of the hot spring was a large open grassy field with four spirits standing in the middle of it.
Three of them were stripped hyena like spirits with six orange eyes, blue and green coloring, and they were all the size of Naga. They were gathered around the fourth spirit laughing cruelly. The spirit in the middle was tall and lean with yellow eyes. His fur was various shade of brown with some white. It appeared to be some kind of lemur, or aye-aye spirit.
Whatever kind of rodent he was he was definitely not happy. He was yelling loudly at the hyenas as they took turns lunging and biting at him. No matter what he was yelling the hyenas were undeterred, and just laughed louder in amusement.
"Get out of here now! This is my oasis, and you don't have my permission to be here." The aye-aye yelled, but they just kept harassing him.
("I know what you're thinking Mako, but don't; we do not have the time, or the energy. This isn't your problem Mako. You're not the hero anymore.") Vaatu said.
("Just because I'm a monster now doesn't mean I'm heartless. Besides we need directions.") Mako thought back.
Vaatu could feel Mako's anger flaring. He never could tolerate the suffering of others as the spirit recalled from Mako's memories. It didn't help that the hyena's maniacal laughter reminded him of Shen. The fact that Mako's emotions were as contagious to him; as his were to Mako wasn't helping him convince the fire bender to walk away. The incessant laughing was rapidly getting on his nerves as well.
Mako pulled back behind the tree when he felt Kuvira nudge him. "Since you don't take orders what do you want to do?" she asked.
"I think our best bet will be the one in the middle; the giant lemur."
"You mean the aye-aye?"
"Whatever he is we're helping him." Mako stated quietly.
Kuvira shook her head. "No; I'll go help him while you stay here."
"What?" ("What?") Both Mako, and mentally Vaatu demanded.
"You are already wounded and exhausted. My job is to keep you alive, and that is what I intend to do. I'll go take care of those laughing idiots while you stay hidden, and watch my back."
Mako was about to protest when she cut him off. "Look I already let you run off with broken ribs against my better judgment. Now you either heed my 'suggestion', or I'll sink you into the ground up to your waist. It's your call."
Mako frowned, but nodded. "Alright, but be careful. Fighting spirits can be tricky, and these ones feel like they're on the same level as fire face. These ones are no small fry."
"Got it," Kuvira said as she began to silently make her way around the tree line so she could exit away from his hiding place.
Once she was a suitable distance from Mako's hiding place Kuvira strolled casually into the clearing.
"Excuse me." She called out, but none of the gathered spirits seemed to notice her.
"Excuse me." She called out again louder this time.
That time the aye-aye seemed to hear her over his tormenters laughter. As he turned to address her his face turned into a scowl.
"Oh come on. Go away human; this is my territory, and humans are forbidden from being here!" he exclaimed as he kept moving to avoid the jaws full of sharp teeth snapping around him.
The three large six eyed hyena spirits merely glanced at her before returning to their sadistic game.
"If I could just have a moment of your time," Kuvira started, but the aye-aye cut her off.
"Listen human I don't have time for this. I have enough trespassers to deal with right now without having to kick you out too. Now go away!"
"All I need is some directions, and I'll be on my way." Kuvira said as she came to stand eight yards from the cluster of spirits.
The aye-aye paused, and glared at the metal bender. "There are directions all around you. Just pick one, and go away; ouch!"
In the aye-aye's moment of distraction one of the hyenas clamped its jaws firmly onto his tail
"Ahhh; let go, let go, let go!" the aye-aye screamed, but the hyena held firm while the other two laughed even louder.
A fist sized stone shot through the air, and struck the hyena on the snout forcing it to release the aye-aye's tail with a yelp of pain. The other two hyenas had looks of confusion on their faces until they too got hit in the head with stones.
The three hyenas and the aye-aye turned to see Kuvira with three more stones swirling over her open palm. "How about this; I take care of these idiots, and you give me directions."
The aye-aye crossed his arms, and grabbed his chin as though he were actually thinking it over. After a moment he let out an annoyed sigh.
"Alright dirt tosser you have a deal." He yelled as he suddenly sucker punched the hyena that bit him, and ran for the nearest tree.
While the biter chased after him the other two hyenas turned their full attention to her. They began to stalk towards Kuvira growling angrily with teeth bared as she continued to twirl her stones.
"So do you two have names?" she asked casually with a wicked grin on her face.
Their only response was more growling. Kuvira shrugged. "In that case I'll just call you dumb and dumber. Now let's find out who is who."
The spirit hyena on her right suddenly charged at her. As it leapt forward to attack Kuvira twisted her foot, and the hyena slammed face first into a thick stone wall she bent between them. As it slumped to the ground in a daze she reached out, and pushed the wall lightly causing it to fall over on the hyena with a heavy thud; knocking it out cold.
"Okay so he's dumber," Kuvira said turning to the other hyena. "So that means you're just dumb."
Her taunting seemed to really anger the hyena, but he was being cautious now. Dumb began to circle her slowly; all six of his eyes were watching her intently. As he moved Kuvira assumed a bending stance, and watched him closely; measuring his every step.
She was ready for anything, or at least she thought she was until Dumb's form became hazy. The spirits body began to shrink and divide until there were three spirit hyenas of normal size, and each one now only had two eyes each. Mako hadn't been kidding about spirits being tricky.
Seeing the surprise on her face the three hyenas lunged at her from three different directions. She spun quickly both kicking the spirit in front of her to the side, and with a sweep of her arm knocking the hyena behind her away with a small stone pillar. While those two were countered she was left open to the third hyena that slammed into her side.
As she was knocked to the ground the hyena's jaws locked around her armored forearm. She held her arm tight as it shook its head trying to rip her arm off. Kuvira caught movement out off the corner of her eye, and using her seismic sense she felt the other two getting back up, and moving towards her.
Wasting no time she lashed a metal cable around a thick branch in the nearest tree. By swiftly retracting the cable she pulled herself, and her attacking hyena away from the other two, and up into the air. Once she was up high enough she planted her feet on the trees trunk, and stood horizontal with the ground. Then using all he strength she slammed her unwanted passenger against the tree, and he let go.
As it tumbled to the ground she looked out to reassess the situation. Dumber was still unconscious under the pile of ruble; while Biter was still full size, six eyed, and snarling up at the aye-aye who was joyfully taunting him. Bellow her was the smaller trio of Dumbs was gathered and jumping up at her in vain.
By seeing which pieces were still in play she quickly put a plan into action. Kuvira crouched low against the tree trunk as she withdrew her cable from the branch. Then she kicked off from the tree flipping through the air over and behind the hyenas. Landing on the ground with a stomp she bent several chunks of stone out of the ground, and pinned the three against each other.
Without missing a beat she turned, and began running towards the distracted Biter. Once she was near enough Kuvira slammed her open palms onto the ground, and with a yelp of surprise Biter was sunk into the ground with only his head, and forepaws sticking out.
"Now how about those directions?" Kuvira asked as she looked up at the aye-aye.
There was a loud crack as the aye-aye spirit leapt to the ground with a sizable tree branch in his hand.
"Sure thing dirt tosser, there's just two things I have to take care of first."
"And those would be what exactly?" Kuvira asked as he strolled casually over to the trapped Biter.
The hyena was snarling, growling, and gnashing his teeth threateningly, but the aye-aye was unfazed as he twirled the long, sturdy tree branch between his clawed fingers.
"Well first and foremost is teaching this one not to bite people's tails." He said as he drew the branch back like a golfer, and swung as hard as he could.
The blow struck Biter across the jaw both knocking out a tooth, and the six eyed hyena's senses.
"The second thing," The aye-aye continued as he dropped the now broken branch, and began marching towards the hot spring. "Is throwing this trespasser out of my oasis."
Kuvira followed the aye-aye's glare into the water. Near the middle of the spring she caught sight of a large grey head, the tops of two floppy ears, and two dark eyes glaring up at them.
"Alright Brutus you've had your fun, now get out!" The aye-aye demanded.
"You heard him; get out before I make you." Kuvira added as she crossed her arms.
Before either of them could react two massive arms shot out of the water, and grabbed both her and the aye-aye spirit. Kuvira's green eyes widened in shock as the spirit began to slowly rise out of the water.
The hot spring must have been deeper than it looked, because when the spirit named Brutus stepped out he stood sixteen feet tall. Like the hyena spirits Brutus had the form of a natural animal, but at an unnaturally large size. Brutus happened to be a gorillaphant. His body had the general shape, and fang filled mouth of a gorilla, but he also had two big floppy ears, thick grey hide, and two four foot long curved tusks.
"Or you'll make me what human?" Brutus asked in a deep rumbling voice as he lifted them to his eye level.
"I thought I told you to get out of my territory rodent." Brutus growled at the aye-aye.
"Your territory; this is my territory Brutus!" the aye-aye exclaimed indignantly as he struggled against the much larger spirits grip.
"Not anymore rodent," Brutus snarled as he turned back to the struggling Kuvira. "And you human should have stayed in your own miserable world."
With them held tightly in both hands; the gorillaphant spirit lumbered over to the trapped Dumb trio. With a short kick he smashed the stones, and sent the hyenas tumbling.
"Pull yourself together, and dig out the others." Brutus ordered.
Dumb quickly obeyed as he merged back into his larger six eyed form, and ran to dig out the other two.
"Now what shall I do with you two?" Brutus rumbled as he squeezed causing Kuvira and the aye-aye to cry out in pain.
"How about you let them go, and in return I'll let you keep your tusks."
Everyone turned to see Mako walking out of the woods with his eyes glowing red, and an arrogant smirk on his face.
The aye-aye craned his neck to look at Mako with a frown. "Go away; humans are not allowed in my oasis."
"Seriously?" Kuvira said with a groan, and a glare at the aye-aye.
Brutus snorted as he took several ground shaking steps forward. "What are you filthy humans doing in my territory?" the large spirit demanded.
"It's my territory." The aye-aye yelled, only to cry out with Kuvira as Brutus squeezed them again.
"Would you please shut up?" Kuvira growled through gritted teeth.
"I don't care whose it is." Vaatu called out. "All I want is for you to drop our wench, and for someone to give me directions."
With a snarl Brutus tossed the aye-aye over his shoulder into the hot spring, and with Kuvira still in his other hand lumbered forward. Resting on his right knuckles Brutus leaned down, and looked Vaatu in the eyes with his fearsome tusks on either side of the fire bender.
"And who are you to command me little man?"
"Aww you don't recognize me; I'm hurt." Vaatu said with mock sadness in his voice.
"I do not waste my time on beings that are beneath me." Brutus rumbled.
Vaatu grinned. "Well then there's something we have in common. Now you must be able to understand how irritating it is for me to be speaking with such a lowly spirit as yourself; so I'm going to say this one last time. Put our wench down, and leave"
Brutus's eyes narrowed dangerously as he growled.
A frown passed over Vaatu's face, and he sighed in resignation. "Alright then, but let the record show that I asked you nicely. Now I am going to count to three."
"One," Vaatu started as he cracked his neck.
"Two," he continued as he rolled his shoulders, and Brutus prepared to attack.
"Three!" Vaatu yelled with a grin as he launched a fire blast right in the gorillaphant's face.
With a roar of surprise, and pain Brutus stumbled back, and dropped Kuvira in the process. While Brutus stumbled around pawing at his face; Dumb, Dumber, and Biter began to approach.
With the wave of his arm Vaatu raised a wall of fire forcing the hyena spirits back.
"Wench; go help the furry piñata. I'll handle things from here." Vaatu commanded.
Kuvira frowned at being called a wench, but she complied, and ran over to help the aye-aye.
With Kuvira out of harm's way the Dark Avatar turned to face Brutus as he regained his focus. With an enraged bellow he charged forward. As he drew near Vaatu hurled several powerful, but wild fire blasts at the behemoth. Several blasts connected, but Brutus just barreled through the flames.
As the massive spirit was about to gore him; Vaatu leapt to the side, and released a point blank blast into the gorillaphant's side. Brutus was engulfed in fire, but his hide was too thick for it to seriously hurt him.
Then quicker than Vaatu had anticipated Brutus whirled around, and lashed out with a massive fist. The blow connected, and knocked him back fifteen feet. The Dark Avatar struck the ground hard, and yelled as pain flared throughout his body. Feeling the rumble from Brutus approaching Vaatu rolled to the side narrowly avoiding being crushed by a massive fist. He continued to roll barely dodging two more rapid strikes before Brutus reached out, and grabbed him.
"Mako!" Kuvira screamed as Brutus slammed Vaatu against a tree trunk. She had pulled the dazed aye-aye from the water, but now she was just as much cut off from the fight as the hyenas.
As Brutus drew back to deliver a killing blow Vaatu lashed out with a desperate fire blast to the spirits face. While his hide was thick enough to stand the heat his eyes were not.
Brutus roared in pain as his hands shot to his seared face; letting Vaatu drop fourteen feet to the ground. Ignoring the pain Vaatu lunged away to avoid the massive stomping feet threatening to crush him flat.
When Vaatu reached the other side of the clearing he turned around to take in the current situation. Flames billowed all around the clearing cutting him off from both the hyenas, and Kuvira.
("Some bodyguard she turned out to be.") Vaatu thought dryly.
("You and I both know she'd be helping us right now if you had both A. not been showing off with that fire wall, and B. actually bothered to aim those fire blasts.") Mako argued back.
("Whatever," Vaatu growled. "We need to end this now before he ends us.")
("Then let's do this together. As you know I actually have experience playing the hero, and unlike you my aim doesn't suck.")
("Do you have an actual plan, or just insults, because the wench is far better at insulting me than you are.") Vaatu snapped.
("Here is the plan; you build it up, and I'll knock him down.") Mako ordered.
Before Vaatu could argue further a loud roar filled the air. Across the clearing the massive gorillaphant spirit turned to face them with pure hatred in his eyes.
"You're dead human! Whoever you are you're dead!" Brutus bellowed as he charged them again.
As the murderous spirit barreled towards them Vaatu took a deep breath ignoring the excruciating pain it caused, and followed Mako's plan. He slid easily, but painfully into a wide bending stance, and with middle and index finger pointed out began to generate lightning.
The world seemed to slow down as his arms glided slowly, but surely through the air. He could feel the energy all around being slowly ripped apart, and swirl around him in arcs of electricity begging to be released.
Vaatu's crimson eyes narrowed at the rapidly approaching spirit. "Who am I? I am darkness and chaos incarnate. To hate me is to give me breath. To fight me is to give me strength."
A massive amount of energy was swirling around Vaatu as Brutus was upon him.
"I AM VAATU!" the Dark Avatar roared as Brutus lunged at him.
At the last possible moment crimson eyes shifted to amber, and with a mighty yell Mako unleashed all the energy Vaatu had gathered into a massive lightning bolt directly into Brutus's open fang filled maw.
Brutus screamed in pure agony as the power surged through him. As Mako continued to release the lightning the spirits massive form began to glow a bright white, and yellow cracks spread all over him. With one final scream Brutus exploded in a flash of light and electricity; leaving nothing but smoke, and some lingering particles of spirit energy.
Silence filled the clearing as the hyena's maniacal laughter stopped dead. Slowly Mako assumed control of the surrounding fires, and snuffed them out. Where hellish flames once roared there now stood the hyenas, the aye-aye, and Kuvira all staring at him stunned. Glancing at the hyenas Mako's eyes turned red.
"You have to the count of three to get out of my sight." Vaatu growled.
With yelps of fear the three six eyed hyena spirits turned tail, and ran as quickly as they could from the clearing.
"Lord Vaatu!"
The Dark Avatar turned to see the soaking wet aye-aye spirit running up to him closely followed by Kuvira. The metal bender appeared a little ruffed up, but no worse for wear.
"Lord Vaatu I desperately beg your forgiveness. I did not recognize you in this human form." The aye-aye begged as he dropped to his knees, and bowed lowly.
"What is your name youngling?" Vaatu asked as he arched a pointed brow.
"Ayeon my lord; my name is Ayeon, and I thank you for saving both my life and home. I am forever in your debt."
Vaatu looked from Ayeon to the disheveled Kuvira standing over him. "You see that wench; now that is proper respect. Take some notes, and maybe you'll learn something from Ayeon here."
"Yeah that's not going to happen. Are you alright?" Kuvira asked as she stood in front of him.
"There is no need to fret wench; we are perfectly fine."
As soon as the reassuring words left his mouth he began to cough violently into his hand. After almost a minute the coughing stopped and he straightened up shakily.
"Okay maybe we're not so fine." Vaatu said as he looked down at the blood in his hand, and collapsed in Kuvira's arms.
First of all Ayeon is the same aye-aye spirit Avatar Wan met. It always bothered me that he didnt get a name so i went with Ayeon. Now incase you haven't noticed a lot of my writing is inspired by the music I listen too. During one of my searches for inspiration I found a song that fit a previous chapter much better than my original choice. I went back to chapter 12 previously titled (Shadows), and changed it to (Point of No Return). So if you want to you can go back and reread chapter 12 with the new song, and if you want to go the extra mile tell me if you think the song fits better than (Shadows) by Red. the name of the song, and who its by is in chapter 12. Until next time stay tuned, and please keep reviewing.