Alright, this will be the aftermath of the Legend of Korra chapter. I've thought a lot about what type of changes would happen to the Avatarverse after this event, and you'll see some of the changes in this chapter.
Also, there is a little event that'll happen at the end that ties in to another recent snippet I wrote for Catalog of War... but I've droned on long enough, so onto the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Halo, Legend of Korra, or anything else that is mentioned in this chapter.
It really wasn't fun to explain.
Tamara sat in Republic City's meeting room, across from President Raiko, Fire Lord Izumi, Master Tenzin, and former Prince Wu. Also in attendance were Avatar Korra, Asami Sato of Future Industries, Bolin and Mako, of Team Avatar, Chief Lin Beifong, Varrick and Zhu Li, and the Republic 'delegation'. Beside them were a small group of individuals representing the Separatists.
The 'talks' were barely civil at the moment. There was a fair amount of yelling involved, along with bafflement at some of the species that made up the visiting sides. Several times, it almost looked like violence was going to erupt, before Korra managed to quell it.
'Score one for the Avatar.' Tamara shook her head in exasperation as the bickering sadly continued in spite of her efforts.
"Alright, enough!" Tenzin's voice broke through the din, silencing the argument. "This is getting us nowhere."
"Agreed." Izumi nodded with the Airbending master's sentiment. "We've been here for half an hour already."
"So, let's just cut the arguing and get down to the chase." The Republic diplomat said. "What would you like to know?"
"Everything." Raiko said.
"Really, everything?" The Separatist snarked. "Could you be a little more specific than that?"
"Well, where do we even begin?" Varrick said, rather cheerfully.
"You clearly know about us, but we know nothing about you." Korra pointed out. "I think we should change that."
"That's fair." Tamara said, remaining as diplomatic as possible. "So where would you like to start?"
"First, we'd like a full understanding of this Flood." The head delegates sighed, taking a brief look at their watches.
"We might be here a while."
...
Nearly an hour later, the Republic and Separatists had finished explaining about the Parasite and their history. The reactions of everyone was across the board; many were horrified, having seen it first hand. Some had been skeptical, but holo recordings had silenced the doubters rather quickly.
"This doesn't explain how these Flood and this 'Dark Samus' made it onto our world." Tenzin pointed out, after all the explanations of the Republic and Separatist conflict against the Parasite had been laid out.
"They slipped through the cracks of our defenses." The Separatist cursed. "Hunter-killer units were sent to destroy them, but we missed one."
"Which was the one that crashed into your world." The Republic ambassador said. "Fortunately, it landed in an isolated region and gave us time to contain it."
"You call this fortunate?!" Raiko all but shouted. "Thousands have died from these parasites and your subsequent 'containment,' and yet you consider this fortunate?!"
"Yes, we do." The blunt delivery cut through the anger Raiko and several others were feeling. "The ship's trajectory put it on a collision course with Republic city before it hit that mountain. If it hadn't, it would've spread so quickly that our containment wouldn't work."
There was a long moment of silence before it was broken, with the speaker feeling particularly sorrowful about everything.
"This shouldn't have happened." Tamara said. "Your world shouldn't have had to experience this."
"No one should." The Separatist ambassador said. There was another quiet moment before someone else found the courage to speak.
"What would you have done if they had spread?" Asami asked quietly.
"We would've glassed your entire planet." Was the reply. "And if necessary, induce the sun to go supernova."
"And destroyed our world in the process?" That had come from a spirit, who had materialized in the middle of the table to the surprise of everyone. "The Spirit World is tied to the mortal world, as are many spirits. You would have annihilated us all if you destroyed our world."
"Oh now you're taking an interest in human affairs?" The Separatist said to the spirit, who spluttered angrily. "I've been waiting years to get a chance to say that." The spirit composed himself and looked ready to speak, but the Separatist ambassador wasn't finished yet.
"You abandoned the humans to the Flood, and didn't even try to fight when Dark Samus corrupted your people." He folded his arms over his hands. "The humans of this world and many others have their faults, but at least we will stand and fight. All you've ever done is cower and hide when something even remotely stronger than you comes out."
"ENOUGH!" A massive gust of wind followed the declaration, emanating from a glowing eyed Korra. Her eyes quickly returned to normal, but her glare remained level at the Separatist who had spoken out. "I would appreciate it if you didn't derail this discussion." There was a long moment of tense silence.
"Perhaps it is time to take a break." The Republic amdassador suggested.
"A good suggestion." Fire Lord Izumi nodded.
"Agreed." Raiko nodded. "However, there is still much we have to discuss among ourselves." He gestured to the natives of their world.
"Very well." The Separatist said after a moment of hesitation. "We will leave you to your... discussions." One by one, the Republic and Separatist groups filed out of the meeting room, and the guards at the entrance closed the door as soon as they left.
Once the Republic and Separatist delegations had left, the world leaders were left to contemplate everything that they had been told. Their whole world view had been shattered; even the spirits were lost about everything that had occurred. Eventually, President Raiko broke the silence.
"I think we should consider restarting the Spirit Vine weapons program." Raiko sighed, knowing what the reactions were going to be. Sure enough, there was a moment of silence before angry proclamations erupted from all over the room, all rather vocal.
"You can't be serious." Asami looked at him incredulously.
"I'm with Asami." Varrick chimed in. "We shut all the experiments down for a reason."
"Yes, I'm aware of that." Raiko said. "And last time I didn't push. However, this time is a different story."
"You really think we should restart something we buried for a good reason?" Zhu Li asked.
"In light of this new information, I'm not sure that we can afford not to." The President said. "We just watched a section of the Earth Kingdom be reduced to glass by a pair of alien organizations that we didn't even know existed until now! Republic City's restoration has been setback another few months, thanks to this Dark Samus. And they've been spying on us for years, right under our very noses." Tenzin looked down in contemplation at that, while Raiko continued his speech.
"Sure they may have helped us, but what else is out there that is not so friendly? We already know of this Flood, something we are completely powerless against. We have to have a way to defend ourselves."
...
It really took a lot of convincing and by the end, most of the people in question were exhausted, but in the end the result was unanimous. Even the most ardent disapproval from Korra, Asami, Varrick and Zhu Li were eventually persuaded of the necessity of this, even if it was only studying the existing knowledge. Now, they were just discussing some of the technical matters.
"You helped build the cannon." Asami said to Zhu Li. "You must know how to create more."
"Perhaps. Though Bataar Jr. was the main architect." Zhu Li replied. "He'll know that weapon better than anyone."
"We could use his help." Varrick begrudgingly admitted. "If Bataar Jr. is working with us, well, at least we won't have to start from scratch."
"So, we've just gotta convince him to help us." Mako said. "That might not be easy."
"I'm sure that'll be fairly simple." Bolin pointed out. "Bataar does want to make amends for what he's done."
"There's still the matter of the public." Tenzin said. "We can't hide this forever, and when word gets out, crime rates are going to skyrocket."
"As much as I hate to admit it, we might need someone else to help us." Asami looked like she was going to vomit at her current thought. "Someone who understands how to maintain order." Knowing exactly who she was talking about, everyone turned to Lin. She sighed.
"Su's not going to like this." She pointed out. "After everything that's happened, it's not like she'll be willing to forgive and forget."
"She doesn't have to." Korra said. "But as much as we don't want to admit it, we're going to need their help."
"Alright, I'll go talk to her."
It was approximately an hour later that the discussions finally ended. Outside the meeting room, as everyone was filing out of the room, Tenzin noticed someone waiting in the shadows. It was a familiar person, though 'familiar' in this case, was a relative term.
"Tamara." Tenzin's voice was as cold as ice, his gaze shooting daggers at the faux-Airbender. "You're still here."
"I wanted to talk to you in private." She looked away guiltily, absentmindedly rubbing her arm. "I just wanted to apologize for lying to you. It wasn't anything personal."
"There's nothing to discuss." Tenzin said simply. "It's done, it's over." The faux-Airbender didn't believe he was over it for an instant.
"Look, I understand you're upset-" Tenzin's reaction was unsurprising, to say the least.
"You lied to me. To all of us." Tenzin sighed, a pained look in his eyes.
"Are you even an airbender at all?" He asked softly.
"Not as you would know it, no." Tamara replied hesitantly. "My... abilities didn't come from Harmonic Convergence, if that's what you mean."
"And I'm assuming you gained it through some other means?" Tenzin's eyes narrowed. "Or were you just faking it with some of that technology your kind possesses?"
Tamara bowed her head shamefully, not knowing of anything else to say. After a moment of silence, Tenzin just walked past her, barely sparing a glance as he headed down the hallway, though he paused when she spoke again.
"For what it's worth," Tamara started. "I did appreciate being a member of the New Air Nation."
"I'm sure you did." Tenzin's voice was devoid of emotion.
There was nothing more to say. She had betrayed the trust of the airbenders, and though they may eventually forgive her, it wasn't something that could happen overnight. As Tenzin departed, Tamara pulled out her device, generating a portal in front of her.
"Tamara, wait!" She spun around to find Korra running towards her, with Asami right behind her. "We'd like to talk to you for a second."
"About what?" She sighed. "I'm clearly not welcome here, just like the rest of us."
"That's just it, though." Korra interjected. "We're clearly not prepared for whatever exists beyond our world. And despite what the other leaders might think, we need your help."
"Even if they agree to Republic support, we'd like you to stay." Asami said. "We'd like another Republic source to stay here."
"Someone we can trust." Korra finished. There was a moment where Tamara digested that bit of information.
"I'll have to think about it." And with that, Tamara vanished into the portal.
An airship was pulled onto the Zaofu landing pad, the city having been retaken from the Earth Empire months ago. As soon as the airship docked, Chief Lin Beifong stepped out, escorted by several White Lotus members. On the ground waiting for her was Suyin Beifong, the recently restored Matriarch of the metalbending city.
"Lin, I didn't expect to see you here." Su commented as her sister walked down the ramp.
"You've heard about what happened in Republic City?"
"I have. It's... a lot to take in." She admitted. "Other worlds beyond the stars, other universes and all sorts of new and wondrous species."
"That's one way to put it." Lin deadpanned. "Especially when those same groups reduced a large amount of United Republic territory into glass."
Suyin was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say after that. Then again, what could be said? Instead they simply walked in silence to the elevator down. They were nearing the bottom of the platform when Su broke the silence again.
"How's Opal doing?"
"She's alright." Was the reply. "She and the other airbenders are getting some time to themselves to deal with what they've seen. I believe she's with Bolin right now."
"I hope they're doing well."
At this point, Su and Lin were on the tram car, heading to the former's home. Lin's escort was on the other side of the car, allowing the two sisters to have their conversation in private.
"So, what's new in the Air Temple?" Lin raised an eyebrow at Su's question. "Tenzin's doing alright?" She knew what her sister was trying to do, but there was no point in tiptoeing around this.
"Su, you know why I'm here." Lin cut to the point. "President Raiko wants her released into our custody again." Suyin's expression immediately turned into a scowl.
"She overthrew the Earth Kingdom, invaded Zaofu, nearly destroyed Republic City and tried to kill us!" Suyin snapped. "Why would we need her help?"
"Because like it or not, she can help us stabilize the Earth Kingdom again." Lin sighed. "I don't like it either, but Raiko has a point. We're not alone in the universe, and that's clearly a dangerous thing."
As she said that, Lin's mind wandered back to that rooftop next to Team Avatar and that armored woman she now knew was named Samus Aran. Beams of light lanced from the heavens, a deceptively beautiful display, at least until you looked down and saw the land on fire.
Lin would never admit it, but she still had nightmares about that. And she knew that she wasn't the only one; the airbenders who had been present had fortunately escaped the carnage unharmed, but she could tell they were still mentally broken from seeing the Flood in person.
Shaking from her musings, Lin saw that Su had a concerned look on her face, and she quickly schooled her features to something less revealing. Dwelling on the past right now wouldn't get her anywhere.
"Su, we need her." Lin said softly. The Matriarch of the Metal Clan said nothing for a moment, merely looking out the window at the passing buildings. Then she lowered her eyes downward.
"Alright." She sighed. "I'll take you to her."
...
After a brief detour, the small group had made their way to Zaofu's rarely used prison section. The guards followed Su's orders promptly, directing the small group to the most secure section of the facility, which was a cell completely made of platinum, with no windows and only a small slot in the door for food.
They walked into the darkened platinum cell, where the prisoner in question was simply staring at a wall. She didn't bother to look at Su or Lin, still feeling ashamed over what she had done.
"Are you here for me to stand trial again?" She asked. "I suppose after everything, it's hard to argue that I don't deserve it."
"It's your lucky day." Lin said simply. "You're being released on probation in an advisory role to the United Republic."
This time, the prisoner did look up, her face still holding a dead look. "And why would President Raiko ever consider trusting me? Republic City is still in ruins because of my actions."
"Well, now you have an opportunity to make things right." Suyin still looked disapproving even as she said those words. "New threats have emerged, and you are one of the most skilled military leaders in the world. You can take this opportunity or continue rotting in this cell." The prisoner looked down, clearly contemplating the latter option. Lin sighed.
"Kuvira, we need your help."
Two months later
A collection of individuals were gathered in a hidden building. They came from all walks of life; from each of the Four Nations (except the air nation), Benders and non-benders. Nevertheless, they were all considered equal in the eyes of their own cause. Now though, they were waiting.
"He should be here by now."
"Patience. We've only learned of them recently."
"Which begs the question; how can we trust them?"
"Because we share common goals." The gathering turned as their final member walked into the room, the door immediately sealing shut behind him.
"You're late."
"My apologies, I'm still not used to this place." He pulled out a piece of paper. "Not to mention acquiring this wasn't easy."
"What is it?"
"What we agreed to. This knowledge will help you. As will this."
"That's it? A page ripped out of some book?"
"It wasn't just any book. Only the master has more knowledge than the text this came from."
"But it's still just one page. What are we supposed to do with one page?" Then a crucial detail was noticed. "Specifically, what are we supposed to do with a blank page?"
"Read it and it will show you." So they did. For a second, it seemed pointless to just stare at a blank page... at least until the actual words appeared, in every reader's own tongue.
...
Hours later, the gathering had read through it. It was short, but it still took a while, the inhabitants having little grasp of the sciences involved, but they finally had the knowledge they needed.
"It's time to strike." One thumped the table to emphasize his point. "After so long, we can recover from Zaheer's failure."
"We must be cautious however."
"Agreed. But they will never know what hit them."
"After so much time, the Red Lotus will rise again. And this time, we will have help."
"All life will become one. Unified as one. Purified as one. This Parasite is the exact help we need."
"And you shall have it." The man bowed in respect, then spun on his heel and left. Once he was out of sight, he grabbed his Marker pendant and kissed it reverently. "You shall be made whole."
...
On the outskirts of Republic City, in an old region abandoned even by the Spirits due to the destruction nearby, everything was quiet and still. The peace was shattered when a rift of flaming light appeared, encircling a window into darkness.
A man walked out of the rift, wearing all black and dragging a flaming chain with him. His most distinct feature however, was the flaming skull that was in place of his head. The skull looked around, ensuring that no one was nearby.
Before the rift closed, the man spun his chain around him, shifting the portal to move in front of him, increasing its size and changing its orientation from vertical to horizontal. The rift lowered itself to the ground before closing, leaving behind a black 1980s Charger in the middle of the road.
With his chain wrapped around himself from shoulder to waist, the flaming man got into the car and drove off, tires and engine block flaming as it moved. He had a mission here, and nothing would stand in his way.
So yeah, that was interesting. I figured that after the arrival of the Flood and their resultant destruction, the leaders of the Four Nations would be more open to the idea of Spirit Weaponry. It's an understandable position; To paraphrase Nick Fury, they've just found out that they are hopelessly, hilariously outgunned.
Of course, even if they start mass producing them, the situation won't change much; it's hard to fight a conventional war for a planet-bound civilization when their enemy can just say 'fuck it' and shatter the planet or detonate the sun.
Unfortunately, the Flood aren't done with them yet. Unitologists have made contact with the Red Lotus, which is obviously not a good thing. Still, they're going to have problems soon.
As a side note, I would imagine that Tenzin and some of the other airbenders would be rather put out by Tamara's spying and lies. So, I apologize if he seems out of character, but from his perspective, it's Zaheer's attempted infiltration all over again, only this time it was far more successful.
And in case anyone was wondering, yes, that was Ghost Rider in the last segment. This is meant to be a tie in to the previous Flood chapter for Legend of Korra (obviously), but also the Avatar vs Ghost Rider chapter I've released in "Catalog of War". And if you've already read that chapter, then you know that Robbie is going to wreck shit up.
Anyway, with all that said, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and reviews are always welcome.