First of all I want to thank everyone who commented or reviewed. Hearing what you guys think, and all the awesome support you give is definitely what drives me to keep writing. Looking back I can see that this story has come a long way since those smaller first chapters. I've got the main points of this story planned out from beginning to end, but fleshing out the story takes some time, and the chapters are getting longer because of that. So just a heads up it might be a little longer between updates, but don't worry because I fully intend to not only finish this story, but remain actively writing it.
Now enough from me; you're here for the story. As always I own nothing but the plot and the OC's. Everything else belongs to their rightful owners. Now enjoy.
25: Cold
"Do you have any idea what the hell you're doing?" Kuvira asked with an emerald glare.
"As a matter of fact yes I do know what I'm doing." Mako replied with his own amber glare as he adjusted his grip. "I've actually done this with Korra before."
"Um do you guys need some help?" Ikki asked from where she sat on a large exposed root watching the two older benders.
("You know as entertaining as it is to watch you two fumble around like awkward teenagers perhaps the child can speed things along.") Vaatu suggested with an amused chuckle.
"No thanks Ikki we've got this." Mako replied as he finished helping Kuvira remove the top half of her armor.
The three humans were settled at the base of a gargantuan tree. Each one of them had sustained injury in one form or another from their unexpected encounter with the rhino bear spirit Arctos. Since Ayeon was the only one to emerge unscathed Mako had sent him to find Kuvira's bag which had been lost during the fighting.
"With any luck Ayeon will find your bag. I hope it wasn't crushed during the battle; we could really use those first aid kits right about now." Mako said with a sigh as he shrugged off his torn long coat before the blood from his shoulder wound could dry it to his skin.
"You can hope for the med kits; I'm hoping the fire whisky survived." Kuvira stated with a small grin as she brushed some dirt off her white tank top. "Spirits could I use a victory drink right about now."
"You and me both," Mako added with a smirk. "Maybe after a few sip you'll relax enough for me to fix your shoulder."
"Can I have a victory drink too?" Ikki asked excitedly.
"No." Mako and Kuvira stated quickly in unison.
The young air nomad frowned at their response, and crossed her arms in a huff. After a few moments of silence Kuvira glanced back at the Dark Avatar.
"You've really helped Korra with a dislocated shoulder before?" she asked curiously as she brushed her long black hair in front of her right uninjured shoulder exposing her back.
Mako nodded. "Back when we were fire ferrets. It was a week before the finals, and we were practicing one on one in case of a tie breaker. We were both hotheaded and competitive as hell, so it didn't take long for things to get a little out of hand. It was close, but after a while I clipped her with a fire ball, and she hit the ground just right. I've also been on the receiving end of a dislocated shoulder. I was getting hand to hand combat training from chief Beifong, and believe me it hurts a lot less if you relax your muscles."
"Why don't you just apply heat?" Ikki asked curiously. "Aunt Kya once took Jinora and me to a sauna, and after two minutes we were so relaxed that we made cooked noodle look tense."
"Thank you Ikki, but I don't think; ohh." The metal bender moaned involuntarily as Mako placed an open palm between her shoulder blades, and a soothing heat radiated through her muscles.
"You were saying something Kuvira?" the air bender asked with a cheeky smile.
"Just hurry up, and fix it Mako." Kuvira ordered with a light blush.
"Alright on three then," the lightning bender said while keeping his palm on her back, and taking her left bicep in a firm hold. "Don't tense up. One."
With a sudden jerk he pulled her arm out, and with a popping sound closely followed by a pained yelp he popped her shoulder back into its socket.
"What the hell happened to two and three?" she demanded with a steely glare.
"It's a trick I learned from Ikki's aunt Kya." Mako said with a quick laugh as he sat back. "You are so focused on two and three you that you forget to tense up."
"Oh my mom did that one all the time with band aids." Ikki added.
Kuvira continued to glare at the smirking lightning bender as she stood up, and experimentally rotated her arm. Aside from a dull ache she found everything to be in its proper place.
"Thank you; she said with a curt nod before walking over to the young air nomad. "Now that I'm back in one piece let's take a look at your injuries."
Ikki scooted a little closer and held out her hands while gingerly keeping her left ankle raised off the ground. "I twisted my ankle while Ayeon and I were running from that spirit. I also scraped my hands when I fell down."
Kuvira nodded as she gently took hold of her outstretched foot. As careful as she was though the girl still winced in pain.
("Considering the fact that she was almost eaten; she is very fortunate to have only sustained such minor injuries.") Vaatu commented off handedly from within Mako's head.
("She is lucky to be alive.") Mako growled back mentally with a surge of anger as he moved to sit beside the girl. ("Which reminds me; you and I need to have a very serious talk.")
"I'm not sensing any broken bones." Kuvira finally declared as she gently lowered the girl's leg. "It's just a sprain; when Ayeon gets back with the first aid kit we can wrap it and take care of your hands."
When emerald eyes met grey Ikki leapt forward, and wrapped a surprised Kuvira in a hug. "Thank you so much for making that spirit spit me out."
Kuvira knelt there frozen as the girl hugged her. After a moment she looked over to Mako for help, but all he gave her was an amused smirk.
"Um sure; anytime Ikki," Kuvira said while patting the air bender awkwardly on the back.
After a moment Ikki released her, and sat back with her signature bright smile in place.
"I found it." Ayeon called out.
Everyone turned to see the aye-aye spirit returning with the duffle bag in one hand, and two long sticks in the other.
"You wouldn't believe how close this thing was to getting crushed by a boulder." Ayeon said passing the bag to Mako, and handing the long sticks to Kuvira. "It took a little climbing, but here are your 'crutches' whatever those are."
"Thanks Ayeon; you're a life saver." Kuvira said accepting the sticks with a grateful smile.
"You're welcome, but I'm hardly a 'life saver'. It is my honor to serve lord Vaatu, and lord Mako was the one who saved your lives." The minor spirit stated with mild confusion.
"It's an expression Ayeon; it means thank you, but like times a hundred." Ikki said brightly. "But you actually did save me so you really are a life saver both figuratively and literally."
"I saved you, because lord Vaatu entrusted me with your safe keeping." The aye-aye stated dutifully with a serious expression that disheartened the girl slightly, but after a moment though he let an affectionate smile slip through. "But even if he hadn't I still would have, because friends stick together."
The spirits statement instantly brightened the air benders mood, and even Mako allowed for a small smile at the girls reciprocated friendship. ("Oh wonderful; my loyal servant is getting attached to the little chatter box.") Vaatu stated mentally with minor annoyance.
("You know maybe if you spent a little time with her she would probably grow on you too Vaatu.") Mako thought back as he searched through the bag.
("You know what detective you're right.") Vaatu said with mild enthusiasm that caught the lightning bender by surprise. ("And you know what else; I'm also a 400 foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings. It will be a cold day in hell before I become emotionally attached to a human.")
("Oh and here I thought we were going to be best buddies.") Mako thought back matching the dark spirit's sarcasm.
"We've got first aid kits, lots of berries, and yes the fire whisky survived." Mako announced as he tossed the med kit to Kuvira. The metal bender caught it easily with a smile that almost rivaled Ikki's, and quickly got to work on the air nomad's ankle.
While the girls were occupied Ayeon slowly approached the Dark Avatar. "Um lord Vaatu; as I was returning I noticed that Arctos was beginning to stir. I believe he will be waking up soon."
Amber eyes quickly shifted to crimson as the chaos spirit assumed control. Setting the duffle bag down; he then grabbed a handful of berries as he stood to face the younger spirit.
"Good that means we can get moving soon." Vaatu said as he popped several berries into his mouth, and chewed them thoughtfully. "I want you to wait at his side, and when he awakens you are to inform him about what is going on, what we want, and whom exactly he is dealing with."
"Me?" Ayeon asked in surprise. "But my lord wouldn't it be better if you were the one to talk to him? Even after his fight with lord Mako he is still bigger and stronger than me."
"True enough," Vaatu conceded as he ate a few more berries. "But I did not choose you as my right hand for your seize or strength Ayeon. I choose you, because you are clever, resourceful, reasonable, respectful, and above all loyal. I am the grand spirit of chaos, and you now speak with my authority. Remember that youngling, and he will listen."
Stunned by how much confidence the more powerful spirit had in him; Ayeon quickly bowed before standing as imperiously as possible. "Very well lord Vaatu; it shall be done."
Vaatu nodded in dismissal, and the aye-aye spirit rushed off towards the unconscious rhino bear spirit.
("Pretty inspiring pep talk there Vaatu. If this whole Dark Avatar thing doesn't work out; we could go into business as a motivational speaker.") Mako said jokingly from within.
"A cold day in hell Mako. A cold day in hell." Vaatu muttered as he glanced down at the last berry in his palm; instantly recognizing it as an exceptionally sweet variety.
"Have you almost finished with the child Captain?" he asked as he felt a twinge of pain from his clawed shoulder.
"Yep all finished." Kuvira said standing up. "Hands disinfected and bandaged, and her ankle is all wrapped up. She should be good in a day or so. I can fashion her some crutches after I take care of your shoulder."
"Very good," Vaatu said dropping the berry into a surprised Ikki's bandaged hands. "If Mako's memory serves correctly your sweet tooth is bigger than ours."
"Um thank you master Vaatu." Ikki said unsurely before eating the berry, and smiling brightly when the sweet flavor flooded her mouth.
Kuvira arched a brow and watched the Dark Avatar thoughtfully as he assumed a lotus position on the ground.
"Mako and I need to have a little discussion; you may tend to our shoulder while we are out." Vaatu commanded.
"Can I get a please?" the metal bender asked sarcastically as she began rummaging through the first aid kit again.
"No, but Mako will gladly give you a thank you when we are done talking." The spirit of chaos responded as he closed his crimson eyes, and began taking slow, deep breaths.
After several moments the spirit world faded away as Vaatu drew himself and Mako's consciousness into the lightning bender's soul.
Several hours had passed since the battle had ended, and Arctos was finally beginning to stir. As consciousness slowly returned to the dazed rhino bear; Ayeon stood over him patiently all the while thinking about how lucky the larger spirit was.
It wasn't only that he would he be spared Vaatu's wrath, but the fact that he had survived the fight to begin with. Taking one high voltage lightning bolt would take a heavy toll on any minor spirit. Arctos had taken three direct hits from Mako. As far as the aye-aye was concerned the rhino bear was as lucky to be alive as Icky.
"You know Arctos; you are very fortunate." Ayeon stated matter-o-factly as the spirit's blue eyes finally opened. "Had the child been seriously harmed I doubt lord Mako would have spared your life; usefulness be damned."
"What happened; who are you?" Arctos asked with a pained groan as he lifted his head from the ground.
"Hmm looks like a few volts managed to get through that thick skull of yours my friend." The aye-aye spirit joked lightly. "My name is Ayeon, and you were just on the losing end of a particularly vicious fight with my master."
"Your master?" Arctos asked before he caught sight of Mako, Kuvira, and Ikki. "You willingly serve humans?" He demanded irately.
With an angry growl the spirit slowly began to rise when Ayeon suddenly grabbed him by the horn, and forced the rhino bear to look at him. "Hold on there brother; you may want to hear me out before you start something you can't finish again."
"A human's pet is no brother of mine!" Arctos snarled with a vicious glare. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't return you to oblivion; let alone listen to you."
Rather than backing down from the larger spirit's fury as he would have in the past; Ayeon glared right back.
"First of all Arctos I am not nor shall I ever be a human's pet, and while I still find humanity distasteful as a whole these three have proven themselves different from the rest of their kind. They are friends to spirits, and have proven themselves deserving of my friendship many times over. Secondly if you want one good reason to listen to me then take a good long look at this." Ayeon said pointing to the rhino bear spirit's horn still in his grip.
It was almost comical how Arctos crossed his eyes to look at the blackened tip of his ivory horn.
"Now do you have any more criticism for me and my friends, or do you want to know just how deep a hole you've dug yourself?" Ayeon asked impatiently.
"Alright I'm listening; just let go of my horn." Arctos conceded as he shook off the aye-aye's grip.
With a triumphant smirk worthy of Vaatu himself Ayeon stepped back, and sat down before the larger but weakened spirit. "Alright then for the last few days I've been guiding the Dark Avatar and his human companions. He's come to our world seeking refuge from humanity until he regains his strength. They intend to find sanctuary at Wan Shi Tong's library, and I've managed to lead them this far from my territory in the Cheshire forest, but I don't actually know the library's exact location."
"So you trespassed in my territory to get directions?" Arctos asked incredulously.
"I don't know for sure, but I believe that was one of my master's reasons for us being here." Ayeon said with a shrug. "To find the library quickly we needed the guidance of a local spirit."
"And stealing my berries?" Arctos asked in annoyance.
"Oh that, that was actually an accident on my part." Ayeon admitted sheepishly while scratching the back of his head. "The child was hungry, and I was unaware we were in another spirits territory. Again I'm very sorry about that."
Arctos continued to stare at the minor spirit coldly, but his posture became a little less tense at the explanation and apology. Taking the silence as an indication Ayeon continued.
"Anyway by the time I finally did realize we were trespassing in your territory you had already found us, and the situation got out of hand. You attacked us, and that of course brought you into conflict with lord Mako and his mate Kuvira. It was an epic battle to be sure, but eventually the fire tosser bested you in combat, and spared your life."
Upon finishing his story silence fell between the two minor spirits. It lasted for several tense moments before blue eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Due to my sudden lack of power and splitting headache I'm inclined to believe the latter part of your tale, but to actually expect me to believe that you serve the Avatar you must either think me a fool, or be one yourself." The rhino bear said with a snarl. "Every spirit knows that Raava's latest incarnation is female; so there is no way this 'lord' Mako could be the Avatar. I don't know what is more pathetic; that you willingly serve humans, or that I was beaten by one."
"I am not a fool Arctos." Ayeon replied coolly. "Nor do I believe that you are a fool; merely a poor listener. I am well aware that the latest Avatar is female, but I never said I was serving her. I serve the 'Dark' Avatar."
"There is no Dark Avatar." Arctos asserted angrily. "The only one to ever exist was destroyed during the last harmonic convergence. Vaatu was purified, and he won't return for another 9,996 years."
"He's back." Ayeon said easily as he crossed his arms.
"What?" Arctos asked in disbelief.
The aye-aye spirit smirked triumphantly. "My master is not the Avatar, or lord Mako; I serve Vaatu. I don't know how, but Vaatu has returned 9,996 years early, and he found a way to merge with lord Mako. You were defeated by a human strong enough to survive merging with the grand spirit of darkness and chaos without the power of harmonic convergence."
"That's not possible," Arctos said sounding as though he were trying to convince himself more than the other spirit. "This is impossible" he asserted again as he painfully pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"Um excuse me?"
Both Ayeon and Arctos flinched in surprise, and simultaneously turned to find Ikki standing near them. She had a pair of makeshift crutches under her arms, and at her feet sat Kuvira's duffle bag.
"Hi my name is Ikki, and I wanted to apologize for trespassing in your home. I also wanted to say I'm really, really, very, truly, incredibly sorry we ate your berries without asking permission; we didn't know they belonged to you." The young air nomad said sincerely.
The rhino bear spirit just sat there in stunned silence while Ayeon was wondering how the human girl had managed to sneak up on the both of them with crutches, and a heavy duffle bag full of berries in tow.
When neither spirit spoke the air bender took it as a sign to keep going. "Are you feeling better now? I hope you didn't get hurt too badly. Mako is like a big brother to me, and he can be very protective."
The girl then balanced perfectly on her crutches, and used her uninjured foot to slide the bag towards Arctos. "When we were eating your berries; we kinda took some extra to save for later. You can have them back, and again I'm really sorry for all of this."
Ayeon nodded in approval of the child's apology, and glanced back to see Arctos looking from the human girl to the offered bag with a look of incomprehension on his face. "Icky this is Arctos; Arctos this Icky lord Mako's surrogate sister, and the dirt tosser over by the tree currently watching us like a hawk is Kuvira; lord Mako's mate, or as Icky calls her his 'girlfriend'. They have been accompanying lords Vaatu and Mako on their journey."
After a few more moments of silence Arctos seemed to regain his wits. He closed his previously agape mouth, and glanced back and forth between Ikki and Ayeon before deciding on the repentant air bender. "I nearly ate you, and you are apologizing to me?"
"Uh huh," Ikki replied while blinking her big innocent grey eyes.
"Human what are you doing in this world?" the rhino bear asked warily. Between his bruised and battered body, and the human child's unexpected apology; Arctos had developed a sinking feeling in his stomach that Ayeon was telling the truth about Vaatu's return. The feeling only got worse when Ikki smiled brightly.
"Well at first I came here to save Mako from Kuvira, but as it turns out she is actually trying to help him stay alive. Since he was fused with Vaatu, and become the new Dark Avatar the whole world is scared of him, and is now trying to kill him. So now we are all on the run here in the spirit world, and I'm now trying to help Mako and master Vaatu in any way I can." The air bender answered quickly.
Arctos cringed at the girls answer, and slowly lowered himself tiredly back to the ground. "Your apology is accepted human, and you may keep the berries. My fate has been sealed."
"Thank you, but what do you mean your fate has been sealed?" Ikki asked with a worried frown.
"What he means Icky is that he finally realizes how deep a hole he's dug himself." Ayeon interjected casually. "He blindly challenged lord Vaatu, and I doubt he's gotten on lord Mako's good side by attacking all of us. Under normal circumstances such a mistake would be fatal; however there is no need to resign yourself to oblivion just yet brother."
"What do you mean?" Arctos asked hopefully.
"Yeah what do you mean?" Ikki iguana parroted.
"If your actions had not been expected then I highly doubt we would be having this conversation right now." Ayeon said with a reassuring smile. "Lord Vaatu would like to have a word with you."
"Vaatu!" Mako yelled over the icy winds as he wandered the empty frozen streets of Republic city. "We need to talk!"
After his previous trips with Vaatu into his personal spirit world the lightning bender had grown accustomed to the volatile weather conditions. Lightning flashed through the dark clouds that covered the sky, closely followed by a roar of thunder, and as always it was snowing. Unlike his last visit however the winds were exceptionally violent; not as violent as when the chaos spirit had helped him break his chains, but definitely more than usual.
Considering the fact that this place was connected too his emotions; the wind was most likely reacting to the anger coursing through him. He had managed to remain calm, and saw to it that everyone would be alright. Now that it was just him and Vaatu however he was ready to discuss the dark spirit's test.
"Detective." Vaatu's calm, cool, and arrogant tone called from behind the lightning bender.
With an amber glare colder than the snow under his feet Mako whirled around to find the grand spirit of darkness standing behind him with arms crossed, and signature smirk in place. "You crossed the line."
Before Vaatu could respond his arrogant smirk was replace with a look of surprise as a fire blast caught him square in the chest, and hurled him across the street into a parked satomobile. The considerable impact shattered the glass, and dented the metal frame and siding inwards. After a few moments the flames died away to reveal Vaatu slowly standing up crimson eyes narrowed in anger as he met Mako's glare.
"I'm not entirely sure I deserved that." He said brushing himself off.
"Believe me you deserved that." Mako growled. "By this point I'm pretty much used to everyone trying to kill me, and Kuvira even volunteered to help us. We needed directions; I can understand that. You needed to be certain we can handle fighting minor spirits without you; cold but perfectly logical."
Suddenly Vaatu lashed out with a fire blast of his own twice as big, and five times more powerful than the one Mako had used. The attack connected sending the bender through the air, and into a brick wall.
"Fighting in here definitely has its pros and cons Mako." Vaatu said as he began walking forward. "Pro; neither of us can die nor be seriously injured. Con; it still hurts, and for the record that is what a fire blast is supposed to look like."
Breathing heavily Mako stood back up, and continued glaring coldly.
"So if it's not my test or my method for asking directions; then what is it?" Vaatu asked.
"Pitting us against a territorial spirit is one thing Vaatu, using Ikki as bait is another. You crossed the line, and almost got her killed." Mako snapped angrily.
"I did use the child as bait." Vaatu admitted quickly as he stopped two yards from the young man, whose teenage form he wore. "However it wasn't me who nearly got her killed; that would be on you detective. You held back, you drew the battle out, and worst of all you fought like a human."
"I never intended the fight to last that long, and in case you haven't noticed I am human." Mako snapped back irritably.
"No you are not Mako; not anymore." Vaatu countered. "You are no more human than I am a spirit. As I've said so many times before we are the Dark Avatar. You have always been swift and cunning, but you lacked raw power and aggression; now you have the power, but you lack the willingness to use it."
"I am not holding back!" Mako shouted over the howling winds. "I am more than willing to use my power to defend my life, and the lives of those I love."
"And yet it isn't reflected in your fire." Vaatu stated coldly. "With the powers both flowing through you and at your command there is no reason for your fire to be as weak as it is. If it weren't for the blood flowing in your veins both the child and the wench would be dead right now. The near loss of the child's life is just as much your fault as mine."
Flames flared to life in Mako's hands, and sensing the rage emanating from him Vaatu braced for another attack, but surprisingly it never came. The twin flames flared brighter until Mako clenched his fists tightly snuffing the out. He then closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "I've never sought out a fight before. In order to protect Bolin and keep us alive I would avoid danger the best I could, and when you are a kid on the streets most if not all the people you fight are bigger and stronger than you are."
"You had to be quick, and keep your opponents at a distance. You would hold back, and gradually weaken an opponent with strategically placed attacks. If you drew it out long enough they would usually tire before you did allowing you to either win, or escape." Vaatu finished for him. He had seen and experienced the memories. "It is only the weaker minor spirits who can be dealt with by human means. For stronger ones like Brutus and Arctos on the other hand; they must be fought in a more primordial manner."
"What do you mean?" Mako asked as the winds died down with his anger.
Vaatu sighed and crossed his arms. "For the most part spirits live among each other in peace, but when there is conflict; usually over territory it is brute strength rather than reason that settles it. Wisdom is respected, but power is revered. You have the power to match any minor spirit, and rival some great spirits. If you wish I can teach you to fight as they do."
After a moment of thought Mako nodded, and Vaatu grinned. "Very good; now when two spirits duel the first step is to make and hold eye contact. This shows that you don't fear them, and are confident that you are stronger than they are. Upon doing this they will either back down or more likely get angry. Now lock eyes with me, and do as I instruct."
Mako nodded again as amber locked with crimson. "Good; now if they do not back down you will begin circling each other slowly all the while never breaking eye contact. This is where you size up and assess your opponent."
As the chaos spirit spoke; he and the lightning bender began to circle each other. As they moved in synch Vaatu ignited flames in both hands. When Mako made to do the same Vaatu shook his head. "Don't use your fire bending. It's barely a fraction as powerful as mine, and I'd prefer this fight to be more interesting. Besides in my world it would be better for all of us if you relied more on your true nature."
Mako grinned in response as his eyes began to glow orange, and electricity began to gather around his fingertips. "Fine, but only because you had to stay on the bench while everyone else got to play your favorite game."
"Very amusing detective now pay attention." Vaatu said seriously. "Whether you attack first or last is up to you, but you must make sure you give everything you have. Your opponents won't be holding back so no holds barred. Now it is very rare to fight a spirit who uses long range attacks; so most will charge you. Close the distance, and overwhelm you. During your fight with Arctos I was worried when you allowed him to get close, but you countered brilliantly."
Mako smirked at the praise, and replied with a bolt of lightning. Ever since the first fire blast Vaatu had been waiting for the next strike, and it was only because of this wariness that he narrowly avoided the bolt. When Mako raised his arm he turned sideways and the lightning bolt passed just in front of his chest. He then glanced from the scorched stones of the wall behind him back to his opponent with a curious look.
Mako's smirk shifted to a grin. "I prefer to attack first; end things quickly."
Vaatu grinned right back, and unleashed a massive fire blast of his own.
The two halves of the Dark Avatar clashed in a flurry of fire and lightning. They traded blast after blast, most were narrowly dodge, and others however connected painfully.
The duel was furious, but brief. Vaatu was the pinnacle of aggression closing in as often as he could to try to deliver point blank blasts. At first Mako remained on the defensive; avoiding each attack, and trying to increase the distance between them. After several painful blasts however he went on the offensive.
Vaatu loosed blast after blast, and each time Mako narrowly avoided them; all the while closing in on the dark spirit. Finally with barely two feet between them Vaatu punched forward with fire just beginning to erupt. At the last moment Mako knocked Vaatu's arm aside sending the blast into a window front as he lashed out; releasing a lightning bolt point blank into Vaatu's chest. In a flash of red light Vaatu shattered into thousands of red and crimson particles. Mako stood there breathing heavily as he watched the particles swirl in the wind.
After a few seconds however the energy all condensed into one reforming as Vaatu in his spirit form and his disembodied dark laughter filled the air. "Well done detective. It hurt like hell, but that was definitely something I needed."
"If you needed a butt kicking I'm sure Kuvira would've been happy to oblige." Mako said sarcastically.
"I'm sure she would, but that's not what I mean." Vaatu said as he shifted back into Mako's teenage form with another flash of red light. "You and I both needed to blow off some steam. It goes against my very nature to hold back, and leave the fighting to others. I prefer the hands on approach rather than allowing others to fight my battles for me."
"Yet another difference between you and Raava." Mako said with a chuckle as he leaned back against a light pole. "Looking back over the years most of our victories were one by team Avatar and our allies rather than by Korra herself."
The lightning bender sighed and looked down at his hands. "I have questions."
"And I have answers; would you like to trade?" Vaatu asked sarcastically as he came to stand before the newly awakened lightning bender.
"I've always had a talent for lightning, but what happened with Arctos, and just now against you that was something else entirely." Mako said.
"That's because it is so much more than mere talent Mako. From the few memories you have of your mother I can surmise that you are the latest result of a very old fire bending bloodline. Countless generations passed, and with each one the spiritual energy inherent in your family has grown stronger. Now lightning flows through you more naturally than blood." Vaatu stated factually. "Your family is so in tune with the ambient energies around them that you can command the cold blooded fire at will. Even in this age being able to generate lightning is rare, and it takes years of training just so they don't electrocute themselves. You were playing with it at six years old."
"I remember that." Mako said wistfully as he thought back to the times he and his mother would go storm watching. "Mom nearly had a heart attack when she saw me doing that."
"She wasn't the only one," Vaatu muttered remembering his own surprise at the revelation as he moved to lean against the opposite side of the lamp post. "It takes years to master lightning, and yet you were capable of generating it as a child. Given time and training you learned not only how to redirect it, but how to cast lightning with no charge time."
Mako smirked. "Zolt believed that the element of surprise was a gangster's greatest ally. Taking the time to build up the charge gave your opponent time to dodge, or counter."
"And you learned it because sacrificing a lethal strike for speed wasn't even a choice." Vaatu cut in. "You learned to survive and to protect; not to kill. What's more your skill was so great that you were even capable of moderating the charge of those rapid lightning bolts."
"The cold blooded fire burns strong in my family." Mako muttered thoughtfully.
"You inherited great spiritual power that grants you near unparalleled control over your element; a trait you shared with Amon and Tarrlok. Where they could blood bend at will, you can do the same with lightning. Any fire bender in your family probably could."
"Look even if this is all true I've never been able to draw on that much energy that quickly." Mako stated as he stood up from his leaning position and turned to face the chaos spirit.
"That is because your heritage is only the foundation of your current power." Vaatu said as he grabbed Mako's left arm, and pulled up his sleeve to expose his burn scars. "When you destroyed the heart of Kuvira's colossus you were exposed to massive amounts of raw spirit energy. This exposure has augmented your already considerable bending, and allowed you to survive becoming my host. Then there is the fact that when we were merged you weren't just exposed to more spirit energy, you had it coursing through your entire body which augmented your natural spirit energy even further. You humans have a saying 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'."
Mako yanked his arm free with a cold glare, and rolled down his sleeve. "When I opened my senses I felt more energy than I've ever felt before in my entire life."
Vaatu nodded in affirmation. "The entire spirit world is composed of spirit energy. The ambient energy here is ten times more concentrated than the ambient energy in the physical world. Any normal human fire bender would have access to, or even know it was there, because they lack a spiritual awareness. By becoming the Dark Avatar your eyes have been opened and you have access to all of it. Here you have an energy supply capable of meeting your ability to demand at a moment's notice."
Mako nodded, and turned away to look at the frozen city around them. He took in the destruction caused by their duel. The fires had been snuffed out quickly by the near arctic conditions, and to his surprise everything appeared to be regenerating. Shattered stones were fusing back together, scorch marks faded away, and even several satomobiles that had been blown up now looked as good as new.
"Is there anything else you'd like to discuss detective?" Vaatu asked after a few moments.
Mako smirked and shook his head. "Personally I'd like to discuss how and why you've changed so much, but that's a discussion for another time. For now I want you swear to me that you won't put Ikki's life in jeopardy again. Other than that it's time we started moving."
Crimson eyes narrowed as they locked with amber. "I don't know what you are talking about, but very well then; on my honor I will not knowingly put the child's life at risk."
The chaos spirit then stepped forward and pressed his index finger to the lightning bender's forehead. "Ayeon should have recruited Arctos to our cause by now."
Slowly the icy world that represented his soul faded away as Mako was consumed by darkness.
"How much longer do you think it will take for them to wake up?" Mako heard Ikki whisper curiously along with the shuffling of metal armor.
"No idea, but it had better be soon. Our new friend is getting nervous, and I'd like to have a word with that arrogant talking kite." He heard Kuvira answer.
"Be careful what you wish for," Mako said opening his eyes, and standing up. "You just might get it."
He turned around to find Ikki sitting on a tree root with her signature bright smile, and Kuvira standing next to her with his long coat in hand. The metal bender had redone her full armor, and seeing him awake she quickly walked over.
"First things first go easy on that shoulder. I stitched it up while you two were out." She said handing him his coat.
"Thank you Kuvira; from me and Vaatu," Mako said with a grateful smile as he accepted the garment, and glanced back at his bandaged shoulder.
"For you anytime," Kuvira said with a small smile, before her expression turned colder. "As for Vaatu I have something for him, and he has some business to take care of."
The lightning bender was confused for a moment, but allowed the dark spirit to assume control.
"What do you want wench?" Vaatu asked in a bored tone as amber eyes glowed crimson.
"What did you and Mako discuss?" she asked.
Vaatu arched a pointed brow in suspicion. "I hardly see how that's any of your concern, but if you must know we talked about his newfound power, where it came from, and how un-amused he was with my test for you two love birds."
Ikki watched silently as the woman's fists clenched in anger, but a grin spread over her face. "Yes I was pretty pissed off about that to, but that's not the reason for this."
"And what exactly is this?" Vaatu asked when suddenly Kuvira slapped him hard across the face.
"That was for using Ikki and Ayeon as bait, and almost getting her eaten." She said coldly.
Ikki watched the two benders wide eyed and mouth open in shock. Vaatu just stood there equally shocked with his head turned slightly, cheek red and stinging.
("Let me guess you didn't deserve that one either?") Mako asked from within, and the dark could feel the amusement emanating from his human side.
("No detective that one I deserved.") Vaatu thought back as he turned to meet Kuvira's cold glare.
"Fair enough Captain; is there anything else?" He asked calmly showing complete indifference to the blow.
Kuvira raised a brow in mild surprise, but nodded. "No that should be it. Now would you like to meet our new guide?"
Vaatu grinned, and turned to the young air nomad. "Sure but first things first would you like to have a word with me to?"
Ikki shook her head. "No thanks master Vaatu I'm good." She answered as she grabbed her crutches to join them.
Vaatu turned back to Kuvira. "Alright lead the way; I'd like to have a word with him."
That's it for chapter 25;I hope you enjoyed it. The title and inspiration for this chapter came from the song (Cold) by Five Finger Death Punch. if you want to give it a listen. By this point you're all probably wondering when the hell they'll get to the library, and honestly so am I. While I personally hate spoilers I will say they should get there within the next two chapters so stay tuned. As always thank you for reading, and please leave a comment or review; they are what fuels me and my writing. Until next time.