Here we go again. Sorry this one took so long, but here it is at last chapter 27. Before we get started though I want to thank everyone for commenting, reviewing, and just plain reading. It all means a lot to me that you enjoy my story. And for those of you who were a little disappointed last chapter there will be more interaction between Mako and Kuvira in this one. As always I own nothing but the plot, and OC's. Anything else belongs to their rightful owners. Now Enjoy.
27: Destination
"What's your favorite color? What's this forest called? How many trees does it have? How much longer will it be until we reach the spirit library?" Ikki asked rapidly with her signature bright smile.
The rhino bear spirit Arctos could only stare at the hyperactive human child before him. "Are you serious?"
"Oh she is perfectly serious brother." Ayeon said with an amused chuckle as he watched the air nomad slightly impressed.
After a time Ikki had gotten tired of walking with crutches, and began riding an air scooter instead. She was currently riding the sphere of wind backwards in front of the two minor spirits as she conducted her routine interrogation.
Not wanting to incur the ire of Vaatu or his Avatar Arctos rolled his blue eyes with a sigh. "My favorite color is green, this is the Majai forest and it contains about 75,835,297 trees give, or take a hundred or two. As for the library it's located at the heart of the forest so we should reach it just before nightfall. Why may I ask are you asking me all these questions?"
"Well how else are we supposed to become friends if we don't learn anything about each other?" Ikki asked cocking her head to the side.
Once again Arctos was surprised by the human child. Not only had she apologized to him, but she had implored Vaatu to forgive his challenge thus sparing him the grand spirit's retribution. Then during the entire trip she had been nothing, but polite and respectful if a little overly curious. Now she wanted to be his friend.
Everything about the humans accompanying Vaatu contradicted everything he expected from humans; especially the air bender. Not quite sure how to respond he turned to Ayeon only to find the aye-aye spirit smirking at them. "I told you theses humans were different."
"So they are," Arctos muttered thoughtfully. "Alright then Icky; what is your favorite color?"
"Well they seem to be getting along fine." Mako said casually as he glanced over to Kuvira. The metal bender was admittedly hard to read, but he could see her emerald eyes watching the group like a hawk, and was ready to move at a moment's notice.
When she didn't reply he placed a hand on her armored shoulder. "Kuvira relax. Between the ass kicking we gave him, and having a little chat with Vaatu; I'm pretty sure he's learned his lesson."
Kuvira turned to him and when emerald met amber Mako felt her relax a little. "I guess you're right, but I'm pretty sure it was the ass kicking 'you' gave him that got through his thick skull. I've never seen anything like that before. You were like a living breathing lightning storm."
("A description more accurate than any other.") Vaatu commented from within.
"How were you able to do that though? Your eyes weren't glowing red so that was all you not Vaatu." Kuvira asked.
The lightning bender paused at her question. They had both agreed that child hoods were off limits, but the sincerity in her voice compelled him. "The reason I was able to do all of that was, because Vaatu reminded me of my mother, and what she taught me a long time ago. That cold blooded fire burns bright in our bloodline. Between the blood in my veins, and the ambient spirit energy that I have access to as a Dark Avatar; my command over lightning is almost as complete as your command over metal." Mako answered honestly.
"Wow," Kuvira murmured to herself as she turned from Mako to look at Ikki and the minor spirits walking ahead of them. "You know I'm supposed to be watching your back, and here you are saving not only my life, but all of ours. I really hate playing damsel in distress, but thank you for saving me."
Seeing Kuvira's embarrassed blush Mako smiled. "Only a fool would consider you a damsel in distress Kuvira. A damsel in distress couldn't look Vaatu in the eyes without flinching, or go toe to toe with a dark spirit, and make it spit someone out. If it weren't for you both Ikki and me would be dead by now. It's me who should be thanking you."
Kuvira glanced at the Dark Avatar quickly as a small smile graced her lips. "I told you I have your back, and as for Ikki well there is just something about her that's so endearing you just can't help but protect her."
"I know what you mean," Mako said with a smile as he looked ahead at the young air nomad still avidly conversing with the very spirit who had nearly eaten her hours ago. "I think it's because she is so trusting. Whether you're a friend, or a complete stranger; she'll walk up and start asking questions, and never once think that they would give her a less than honest answer. You can see the trust in her eyes, and the sincerity in her smile. She is innocent."
"You really care about her don't you?" Kuvira asked.
Mako smiled. "She's family. Tenzin, Pema, Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, and Rohan were there for Bolin and me when we needed it. They are family, and above all else I will protect my family."
Seeing the happiness in his amber eyes the metal bender couldn't help but smile if somewhat sadly as she thought back to the families she had, and could have had.
She could hardly remember her birth parents anymore, and she was perfectly fine with that. She had loved and trusted them with all her heart like any eight year old child, and they had abandoned her. Just cast her aside as if she were nothing to them. After several terrifying days of wandering lost and alone Suyin Beifong had found her, and taken her in.
Suyin had raised her, trained her, and above all made her feel like part of the family. Sadly that began to change when the earth queen was assassinated by the red lotus, and the earth kingdom fell into chaos. She had begged Suyin to intercede, and reunite the earth kingdom, but she refused. She didn't want to 'impose' her ideals on an entire nation; that it wasn't her place to restore order.
That was when the rift had first appeared between her, and her mentor. While Suyin could turn her back on people in need she couldn't. So she along with Baatar Jr; Suyin's eldest son left along with most of Zaofu's security team to restore order. After three years of civil war and conquest she and Baatar had fallen in love, and eventually gotten engaged. They had planned to get married after they had established their new earth empire; which included annexing Zaofu, and the United Republic.
It was during her siege of Republic City that Korra, and her allies had managed to capture Baatar, and forced her to make an impossible choice. She had to choose between the man she had loved, and the empire she had sacrificed three years of blood, sweat, tears, and any hope she had of reconciling with Suyin, Opal, and the other Beifong's who had been her surrogate family. She had lost too much to just surrender like Baatar had pleaded her to do. It broke her heart, but she made her choice, and in the end she still lost everything; her empire, her fiancée, her family, and any hope of a future.
Afterwards she and Baatar had been tried in the United Republic where she was sentenced to life in a secret specialized White Lotus prison. Baatar had been turned over to Suyin, and the metal clan on the condition that never leave Zaofu again. He was under 'city' arrest for the rest of his life, as a few of her guards had joked.
The last she had seen of the Beifongs before her escape was when she was being handed over to white lotus custody. Suyin, Opal, the twins' none of them would even look at her except for Baatar, and he only asked her one question; why? She didn't have an answer.
Now here she was one year later a fugitive from the world, and on the run through the spirit world with an air nomad, a giant talking aye-aye, and most unbelievably the Dark Avatar.
"Are you alright?" Mako asked snapping her out of her depressing thoughts.
"What?" Kuvira asked turning to face the lightning bender only to be momentarily taken aback by the genuine concern in his amber eyes.
"I said are you alright," Mako repeated. "Normally I'm the one who does the brooding, so you had me worried for a second there."
"Thanks for the concern, but I'm alright." She said with a reassuring smile. "I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do next."
"Any ideas?" Mako asked curiously.
The metal bender shrugged. "No not really. What do you plan to do after we meet with Zaheer?"
"I'm not entirely sure either. After we get Ikki home whatever I do Vaatu has to agree with. Surprisingly though he's actually open to the idea of taking a vacation to Ember Island." Mako said.
Kuvira couldn't help but laugh at that. "You know what a vacation does sound rather nice." She said between laughs.
Finding that he liked the sound of her laughter Mako smiled. "You're more than welcome to join us if you want."
After reigning in her laughter Kuvira looked Mako in the eyes with a genuine smile on her lips. "You know what Mako; I might just take you up on that."
The sun was just beginning to set as the cold arctic winds blew. Bolin stood out on the observation deck of Suyin's air ship watching the distant glow of the northern spirit portal. The lava bender shivered, and pulled his winter coat tighter as Pabu curved around his neck inside the hood.
"Mako is strong Bolin; I'm sure he's alright."
Bolin couldn't help but smile when he felt Opal sidle up next to him. "I know, but I can't help but worry anyway." He said wrapping an arm around Opal's shoulders, and pulling her close.
The air nomad snuggled into her boyfriend's shoulder, and joined him, and the fire ferret in watching the distant light. "We've been granted permission to land in the northern water tribe. Once we get there mom plans to sit tight, and wait for any word of their reappearance."
"The spirit world is completely uncharted so it would be pretty stupid not to mention dangerous to actually go in and search for them." Bolin stated seriously, and Opal frowned.
Ever since Mako left Bolin had been more serious; acting more like his older brother than himself. He rarely smiled, he didn't tell any jokes, and she hadn't seen one of his fake mustaches in days. She was beginning to worry.
"We are going to find him Bolin, and we are going to save him." Opal said cupping his face tenderly.
"It's the first part that worries me Opal, because we are not the only ones looking for him. Korra, Asami, Raiko, Lin, almost everyone want him dead, and then there is Kuvira to worry about." Bolin admitted.
"Don't worry about that monster; we'll take care of her." Opal said coldly with narrowed eyes.
"Opal why do you hate Kuvira so much?" The lava bender asked.
"What are you talking about Bolin you know why." The air bender said with a frown. "She betrayed my family, and ripped it apart. Then she tried to kill us. You know this as well as anyone."
Bolin shook his head. "No that's why your dad and brothers hate her. With you, your mom, and Baatar Jr it's something more than that. You three hate her more than the others, because of something else. With Baatar it's because she broke his heart. Your mom hates her, because I think she feels responsible for what Kuvira became."
"That's ridiculous." Opal snapped as she took a step back allowing the cold wind to blow between them.
"No what's ridiculous is that you one of the kindest, and gentlest air benders ever could hate someone so passionately." Bolin countered. "Heart break drives Baatar; guilt is probably what drives your mom. What drives your hate?"
Opal glared coldly at Bolin. "My mom is guilty of nothing, and Kuvira is a monster who needs to be stopped no matter what; nothing more nothing less.
Bolin looked into her jade eyes sadly as he turned to leave. "That's the same thing they all say about Mako."
Opal just stood there as the metal door closed behind the man she loved, and the arctic wind blew around her. Her hands clenched tight in rage, and shut her eyes tight when she felt tears begin to fall. She went over all her reasons to hate the rogue metal bender again, and again, but they all seemed hollow. Why did she hate Kuvira so much more than everyone else?
Silence reigned throughout the fabled spirit library as Zaheer stood waiting on the topmost central platform looking up through the ceiling down at the ground miles below. The red lotus air bender had been waiting patiently for several hours just as he had the last several days. While Vaatu and Kuvira had yet to arrive he was confident they would be arriving any day now. On occasion a curious knowledge seeker would approach him, and through conversations with the fox spirits he received word of a powerful fire bender making his way through the spirit world.
Zaheer's thoughts as well as the silence were interrupted by the flapping of large, and the sound of a large form landing behind him. "Your time is up red lotus; now leave."
Zaheer sighed as he turned to find Wan Shi Tong towering over him. "You allowed me to remain an hour longer my last few visits."
"That was due to my own personal curiosity. Anyone who gains this much attention from the red lotus must be very important to draw you lot from the shadows." The giant black owl spirit stated calmly. "My curiosity only gets you so far however; now leave, and do not return without knowledge to trade."
Zaheer held Wan Shi Tong's cold obsidian gaze for several moments before bowing in respect, and disappearing in a flash of light.
The great spirit of knowledge glanced from where the anarchist had stood to the opening in the ceiling before spreading his great black wings, and with a flourish disappeared back into the depths of his library.
Opening his eyes Zaheer was back in his body in the human world. Floating three feet in the air he thought over his current predicament. Vaatu would be arriving any day now, and he was now banned from the library without knowledge to trade. The knowledge spirit was well known for his disdain for humans as a whole. The fact that he had been allowed to return and remain as long as he had was surprising. In the end he decided it would be a matter best discussed with Xai Bau when he gave the grand lotus his progress report.
With a tired sigh he stood up and lowered himself to the ground. The quarters he had been given was sparsely furnished with a writing desk with a single chair, a mirror on the wall, and a single sleeping mat on the floor.
Stepping over to the mirror he pulled his shoulder length hair back into a wolf tail, and looked at himself. With his hair pulled back and his beard trimmed he looked just like he had when he broke Ghazan, Ming Hua, and P'Li out of prison. He had also traded in his prison garb for black and grey robes, and a light brown cloak now draped over his shoulders.
Now looking presentable to his master Zaheer exited his room, and made his way into the labyrinthine base. While he wasn't waiting for the Dark Avatar in the spirit world he would spend his time familiarizing himself with the layout of the hidden fortress. The mountain range they were hidden in was known as the Spine, with the largest peak serving as the central hub for their operations. Passages and chambers ran all throughout the interior creating a veritable maze making it nearly impossible to traverse without a map, or knowledge of its layout. Fortunately for Zaheer he was a quick study, and could now navigate the countless corridors fairly well on his own.
As he made his way through the winding passages lit by luminous green crystals he heard the distant sound of yelling, and felt the slight tremble of earth bending. Curious the anarchist decided to take a quick detour before reporting to his master. Following the sounds of combat Zaheer eventually stood at the entrance to one of the many large training chambers used to teach new recruits. Pushing open the thick wooden door he witnessed the final moments of what must have been an intense skirmish.
"Pathetic! Absolutely disgraceful!" Shen bellowed as he shattered a stone barrier, and knocked the young earth bender behind it to the floor. "How do you expect to join the Red Lotus; let alone change the world if this is the best you've got?"
While the psychotic fire bender raged; Zaheer silently took in the newest recruits scattered all over the stone floor. There were twenty in total, boys and girls, ages ranging from twelve to eighteen, and all of them benders. Fire benders made up the majority with eight. Then there were six earth benders, four water benders, and even two air benders; much to Zaheer's surprise.
Judging by the pained groans, and the amount of destruction done to the training roam; Shen must have dueled with every recruit to get an idea of what they could do. The fire bender was obviously not pleased with the results.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with you sorry lot?" Shen demanded with a cold amber glare.
"I believe the grand lotus wants you to train them." Zaheer stated making his presence known.
The recruits turned to see the air bender walk boldly into the chamber while Shen rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Well now isn't this a treat," he announced sarcastically. "Class allow me to introduce by best friend and brother in anarchy Zaheer. Some of you may already know him as the first human to float since Guru Lakshmear, or whatever more than 4,000 years ago."
"His name was Guru Laghima." Zaheer stated calmly not rising to Shen's taunt. "As for these new recruits; you are supposed to teach the skill necessary to aid us in our righteous cause.
Shen crossed his arms and scoffed. "Yes of course; shouldn't you be in the spirit world right now?"
"Without written knowledge to trade one can only remain in Wan Shi Tong's library for so long Shen. Zaheer answered as he helped one of the fire benders to his feet.
All the other recruits stood up, and quickly gathered before the two red lotus acolytes. "You act as though these recruits are swords already forged and ready to fight, when in reality they are iron ore. These brave young men and women have drive, capability, and the potential to become the very greatest of our order, but first they must be taught Shen, first they must be forged."
Shen rolled his amber eyes. "Well then since you've taken such a keen interest in the future of our order how about some words of inspiration. Go ahead Zaheer show me how it's done."
Zaheer glared at Shen as he gestured grandly to the gathered youths, but refusing to back down he stepped forward to address the class. All eyes were on the air bender as the recruits gave him their undivided attention.
"Air, water, earth, fire, spirits, and humans; for more than ten thousand years the worlds have been kept divided, just as humanity has been kept divided into four nations. This was done, because it is the natural order of existence, everything in its place, and to merge, to seek more or less is to upset the balance. The Avatar has always led us to believe that the four nations cannot exist together as one; that humans and spirits cannot coexist together. The Avatar itself is proof that this is a lie. Human and spirit, all four nations can be merged into one, and maintain balance. This begs the question why then wouldn't the Avatar do everything they could to unite the worlds, and the nations?"
Zaheer paused as murmurs, and questioning glances passed among the recruits.
"This is because the Avatar has never sought balance, only order. You may be wondering how this could be? Avatar Aang helped to create the United Republic of Nations, and Avatar Korra opened the spirit portals. Avatar Aang was not the original proponent of the United Republic Fire lord Zuko was. In fact Aang had been adamant that the original fire nation colonies be dissolved, and the four nations remain just that; four separate nations. With time and persuasion he was eventually convinced to 'allow' the colonies to remain. As for Avatar Korra and the spirit portal she is nothing special. Centuries of Avatars before her could have reunited the worlds on a whim, but they didn't. In reality it was through the efforts of the red lotus that the portals were reopened despite Korra's desperate attempts to prevent their reopening. It was in the aftermath of her failure to stop us did she realize the folly of keeping the worlds divided. For centuries the Avatar has forced order on the worlds under the illusion of balance. They have divided humanity against itself, and upheld hierarchies to help maintain control. The Avatar raised up the fire lords, earth kings, water chieftains, and even the wise gurus of the air nomads to create a harmony dependant solely on the Avatar. True balance should exist despite the Avatar not because of it." Zaheer paused again for a moment to catch his breath, and watched him with baited breath. Even Shen surprisingly remained silent instead of offering up one of his usual sarcastic quips.
"Humanity had become dependent on an order solely maintained by the Avatar making it the lynch pin to peace, and because of this when the Avatar disappeared humanity nearly tore itself apart during the hundred year war. When Avatar Aang finally returned and regained control; the Order of the White Lotus was created to protect the Avatar, and maintain its illusion of balance. It was several decades after the hundred year war that a White Lotus acolyte named Xai Bau realized the truth, and set out on the path to restore true balance to the world. He defected from his order, and began to gather others to his new cause. Orphans, outcasts, and others who realized the truth united under his leadership to create the order of the Red Lotus, and for decades we have fought against the Avatar, and its tyrannical hierarchies from the shadows. For so long we've fought and sacrificed for unity, equality, freedom, and true balance. Over the last few years the spirits have returned despite the Avatar's interference, and the earth kingdom freed from tyranny. Now I am proud to tell you that balance is close at hand. Vaatu the grand spirit of chaos and darkness the antithesis of the Avatar who incarnates the spirit of order and light has returned. With his patronage we shall overcome his other half and her white lotus. We shall overthrow the world leaders who divide, and command us. Balance and victory is within our grasp, and you as the future of the red lotus will be the ones to seize it!"
The recruits erupted into cheers as a new determination burned in their eyes. Some of the fire benders even loosed blasts of flame into the air in approval. They were ready to learn, and fight for a cause they all shared with both each other, and him. They were now brothers and sisters in anarchy.
"Very touching speech Zaheer," Shen admitted grudgingly as he placed a hand on the air benders shoulder, and began pulling him towards the door. "Are you sure you can convince old tall, dark, and chaotic to be our mascot?"
"If this display is any indication Shen then I believe he can."
Stepping out into the hall both Shen and Zaheer came face to face with Xai Bau.
"Grand Lotus," Zaheer said in surprise before Bowing, followed shortly by Shen. "I was just on my way to report. Vaatu has yet to arrive, and Wan Shi Tong forbade me from returning without knowledge to trade."
"Then it is knowledge you shall give him. "Xai Bau said with a nod. "You shall return tomorrow, and if Vaatu has yet to arrive then you will present Wan Shi Tong with a list of Books from our library he may choose from that his knowledge seekers may come and collect. Until then you shall be joining Shen in teaching the new recruits."
"Oh come on," Shen groaned. "I'm perfectly capable of training these brats without this hot air balloon floating over my shoulder. Just look at how the Sorn Sisters turned out."
Xai Bau's mismatched eyes narrowed at the fire bender. "I am well aware of your first and only teaching success Shen. That is why you will teach them to fight. Zaheer will cover more tactical subjects like team work, planning, discretion, deception, and our code. He will also make sure this batch turns out nothing less than twenty out of twenty."
"What of my current assignment grand lotus?" Zaheer asked respectfully.
"Vaatu will remain your priority Zaheer, but until you make contact, and he requests your physical presence you will also serve as a mentor to these future acolytes you have so eloquently inspired." The grand lotus said with an air of finality.
Zaheer and Shen glared at each other for a moment before facing Xai Bau, and bowing once more. "As you command Grand Lotus," They said grudgingly in unison.
After several hours of traveling with the guidance of Arctos they finally reached their destination just as the sun was beginning to set. It was with a sense of awe that Mako and the rest of what Ikki had dubbed Team 'Dark' Avatar finally laid eyes on the fabled library of Wan Shi Tong. The two minor spirits stared up with pride while the humans were rendered speechless. Well most of them anyway.
"Weird I was expecting it to be bigger." Ikki said casually as she stared upwards at the spirit library.
"You thought it would be bigger?" Mako asked incredulously. "There is a giant library suspended upside down miles above the ground, and it's the size that you find weird?"
The young air nomad looked at him and shrugged. "We are in the spirit world."
("She's got you there detective.") Vaatu said with an amused chuckle.
"This is amazing," Kuvira said her emerald eyes wide in wonder. The spirit library despite appearing worn and covered in vines was truly a sight to behold with its towering spires, and domed rooftops. "Why is it up there though?"
"It used to reside in your world," Ayeon said somberly as he looked up at the ancient building held up by the massive tree branches of the gargantuan trees all around them. "Then you humans began to abuse the knowledge it contained, using it for war."
"That's horrible," Ikki said sadly.
"That's humanity," Ayeon replied. "This library was a gift from the spirits to all mankind, and all you could do was use it to conquer and destroy yourselves. That's probably the second biggest reason Wan Shi Tong despises humans."
The aye-aye spirit's words struck a painful chord in Kuvira, as she looked down in guilt. She had done the very same thing with the spirit vines using their energy to conquer. Before the metal bender could delve deeper into past sins she felt a reassuring hand rest on her shoulder. Glancing over her shoulder emerald eyes met amber. Mako didn't say anything, but his eyes held a silent forgiveness and understanding that surprisingly comforted her.
"What's his biggest reason for hating us?" Ikki asked.
"We set fire to his library." Kuvira said sadly receiving surprised looks from Ayeon and Arctos.
"Oh that's right," Ikki said with a gasp receiving a raised eyebrow from everyone.
Ikki looked from the two older benders to the two spirits before continuing. "My grandpa Aang was one of the last people to visit the library before Wan Shi Tong brought it back to the spirit world. He told the story to my daddy, and he told it to me. Sometime during the last decade of the hundred year war some fire nation soldiers found the spirit library, and managed to convince Wan Shi Tong to grant them entrance. They were there to find information that could be used to conquer the other nations. While they didn't find anything on the earth kingdom they did find something they could use against the water tribes. Either way they found what they were looking for, and before they left they set fire to the section containing information on the fire nation so no one could do the same to the fire nation. Decades of history and knowledge destroyed on a paranoid whim."
Mako sighed, and looked back up at the towering library high above them. "With that kind of track record I doubt that we'll be getting a warm reception up there. Let's set up camp down here for tonight, and we'll work on getting our library cards tomorrow."
With an affirmative nod Kuvira began going through the motions of setting up their camp, and Ayeon made his way towards the tree line for fire wood. With Ikki at his side Mako turned to face the rhino bear spirit. "Thank you for helping us Arctos, and you're welcome to join us tonight if you'd like."
Surprised by the lightning bender's offer Arctos looked from Mako to the excited Ikki next to him.
"Oh please spend the night with us. We've got plenty of berries, and I still have tons of questions. Please stay just one night please." Ikki asked with the biggest pair of baby bison eyes she could muster.
With an amused smile Arctos turned to face the Dark Avatar. "I suppose I could use at least one night's rest before getting back to my territory. It would be my honor to remain with your pack tonight lord Mako."
With a squeal of happiness Ikki rushed over and settled down next to the minor spirit wasting no time getting started on her remaining questions.
Mako smiled at the sight before he felt the unnerving sensation that he was being watched. Slowly the lightning bender looked up at the ominous library high above them unaware of the cold obsidian eyes staring down at them unblinkingly from the shadows within the structure.
Well I'm proud to say that will be the last filler chapter for a little while so I hope you guys liked. Now things are going to start picking up again like when Vaatu checked out of the hospital. As always please leave any comments, constructive criticism, or a review. I look forward to them like you look forward to chapters. Anyway until next time enjoy, and stay tuned.