Hello all Storm here with a new story! It's a new year (hopefully it'll be better than the one we just had) and also something very new. I'm trying my hand at a "Reading" story! Having canon characters reacting to alternate versions of themselves. Though I'm gonna be honest, I'm not sure if it'll be very good or the reactions will be accurate or timed properly. But I hope you all enjoy it. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
"Come on, let's get you back to the island." Tenzin said softly, while helping Korra stand up, with the Avatar wiping her eyes of any stray tears and nodding at her Airbending Masters words.
"Yeah, and…thank you Tenzin…for coming." Said Korra, thankful that Tenzin had come to try and save her, after she had been foolish enough to openly challenge Amon to a fight, just to prove to everyone, and herself, that she wasn't scared of him.
But she was, Korra knew that she was terrified of Amon and she wasn't even sure if she had what it takes to stop him.
"You don't have to thank me, Korra. I only regret not showing up sooner. If Amon had…" Tenzin said before shaking his head at the horrible thought, knowing how close Korra came to losing her bending.
"Amon…he said that he had a plan, I don't know what, but he said he's saving me for last. Otherwise, I'd just be a martyr against him and the Equalists." Said Korra while looking down solemnly, since that was how little a threat Amon saw her as, that he admitted to saving her for last when he's won.
"Don't let him get to you, Korra. Whatever Amon is planning, we'll stop him." Said Tenzin, putting a hand on her shoulder, with the Avatar looking at him before nodding.
"Now let's get back and let everyone know you're sa-" Tenzin said, only to be cutoff when he and Korra suddenly vanished in a flash of light.
*Unknown Location*
In a flash of light, Korra, Tenzin, and several other individuals all suddenly appeared, looking around with wide eyes shocked at their sudden appearance, along with who else was appeared.
"Pema?!" Tenzin said while rushing over to his wife and children, checking on them to make sure they were alright.
"Tenzin?! Wh-what just happened?! Where are we?!" Asked Pema, shocked at the sudden appearance of her husband, when she and her children had been at Air Temple Island, waiting for him and Korra to come back.
"That was awesome! Let's do it again!" Meelo cheered.
"Ooooh! This place is really freaky! Where are we?! What happened?! Are we in the Spirit World?! OH! Can I get a pet Spirit, like Grandpa Aang?!" Ikki asked rapidly as she looked around at their surroundings.
"Tenzin?!" Two people said, getting the Airbenders attention, only for his eyes to widen when he saw his brother and sister, Bumi and Kya.
"Kya? Bumi? What're you both doing here?" Tenzin asked, as the two looked around.
"I don't know, I was just going through my new training regimen with my fleet, and suddenly I'm here. My training regimen also involved learning how to make a working telephone with a radio, a clock, a flashlight, and blasting jelly." Said Bumi as he smirked proudly at his training regimen, while his siblings gained deadpan looks.
"Of course you'd think of something like that." Muttered Kya, not even surprised and not wanting to question how her brother could do that, simply accepting he found a way, before smiling at her nieces and nephew.
"Dad, where are we?" Jinora asked while looking around, with Tenzin doing the same, seeing where they were but didn't recognizing anything in sight.
"I…I'm not sure, but it honestly looks like a theater for plays." Said Tenzin while looking around and seeing it did look like a place where plays were shown.
"Wherever we are, someone must have brought us here." Said Lin, who had also appeared, as she walked up to them.
While Tenzin reunited with his family, Korra had also spotted Mako, Bolin, and Asami.
"Mako, Bolin, Asami?! How did you guys get here?" Korra asked while going over to them, as her friends looked around.
"I…have no idea. One second Asami and I were on our date. The next, a flash of light appears and the next thing we know, we end up here." Replied Mako, confused at the sudden appearance here.
"Yeah. Are we in a theater or something?" Questioned Asami as she looked around.
"Well I was at home giving Pabu his bath and-PABU?!" Bolin exclaimed before looking around for his animal companion but didn't see him anywhere in sight.
"Relax bro, I'm sure Pabu's fine back home. I'm more worried about where we are." Said Mako, knowing the fire ferret could take care of himself.
"Hello cousin Korra."
The sudden voices behind her made Korra jump and turn around, only to be surprised when she was met by her cousins.
"Desna? Eska? You guys are here too?" Korra asked, surprised that they were here as well.
"Obviously, we are here. Otherwise, we wouldn't be speaking with you if we weren't." Desna stated dryly.
"Yes. It seems your time in Republic City has done wonders for your skills of observations." Added Eska, while Korra looked at them blankly.
"Yeah, it's you two alright." Korra muttered, knowing only her cousins could talk like that.
Before any of them could say anything else, they saw another flash of light, making the benders get into stances in case it was an attack. Only to be shocked at who appeared this time.
"MOM/CHIEF?!" Tenzin, Bumi, Kya, and Lin all shouted when they saw their respective mothers, Katara and Toph, had appeared.
"Lord Zuko?!" Said several of the others at seeing the retired Fire Lord had appeared as well.
"Yeah, yeah, we know who we are, you brats don't have to keep shouting. We're old, not deaf!" Toph said, while sticking her pinky in her ear before pulling it out and flicking off what was on her finger.
"Oh my gosh, it's Lord Zuko, Katara, and Toph…" Said Bolin, freaking out and excited at seeing the last members of the original Team Avatar standing before them.
"What? You gotta pee or something?" Said Toph, raising brow as she "saw" Bolin hopping around in place.
"Uh, forgive my brother. It's just…an honor to be meeting you three." Mako said, bowing in respect at seeing three of the strongest benders in the world.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. And it's good to you see again Avatar Korra." Replied Zuko, returning the bow and smiling at Korra, who smiled and bowed as well.
"It's good to see again Lord Zuko, Master Katara." Korra said.
"You as well Korra. And I'm always happy to see my children and grandchildren." Said Katara while smiling and going over to her children and grandchildren.
"What? No hello for me Twinkle Toes, and here I thought we were friends." Toph said as she flashed a smirk at Korra, who couldn't help but feel some annoyance at the nickname.
"It's nice to meet you Toph. But you do know I can't be called that, anymore right?" Said Korra.
"HA! I don't care what life you're on, if I say you're Twinkle Toes then you're Twinkle Toes. Got it Twinkle Toes." Replied Toph, before sitting on the ground and looking at her daughter.
"Hey Chief." Toph stated, making Lin stand up straight slightly.
"Uh, hey Chief." Replied Lin, not sure what else to say to her mother, who she hasn't seen in decades.
"Mother, not that it's not wonderful to see you again, but do you any of you have any idea how we ended up here?" Tenzin asked, wondering if they had any idea of what happened, only for them to shake their heads.
"I have no idea what happened, Tenzin? One minute I was at home, the next I'm suddenly here." Replied Katara, just as confused as everyone around her.
"I was in my office, going over reports when the same happened to me." Zuko said.
"Don't look at me. I was relaxing in the Swamp when I got pulled wherever the hell we are." Stated Toph before she, Zuko, and Katara suddenly grunted in pain and held their heads.
"Mom?! Are you alright?!" Kya asked as she, Bumi, and Tenzin went over to their mother.
"I-I'm fine dear just a…head…ache?" Said Katara as her tone turned into one of confusion, when her voice suddenly sounded different and…younger.
"Is it just me or is everything…growing?" Zuko asked, also confused, and suddenly feeling his hair and beard begin shrinking, before he touched his face to find he didn't have a beard anymore.
"Holy crap, I can see!" Shouted Toph, making everyone look at her, only to be shocked to see rather than a blind old woman, Toph was once again twelve-years-old with her eyes being jade green in color, rather than being light green from blindness.
"T-Toph?! Wh-what happened?! You're young again!" Katara said before touching her throat in shock as her voice sounded like it did when she was a teenager, before looking at her hands, only to be shocked to see them free of wrinkles and were smooth.
"Speak for yourself Princess! Look at you two! Cause I'm seeing a lot right now!" Said Toph, grinning as she looked around, as for the first time in her life she was seeing actual color.
While Katara and Zuko looked at each other, shocked to see that they were in fact teenagers again, with their shock being mirrored by everyone else at what just happened.
The group only being pulled out of their shock by several flashes of light and someone snickering.
"You should see your faces…they're priceless!"
Instantly, everyone snapped towards where the voice came from, seeing a person wearing a long black hooded coat with their face being shrouded in shadows, black gloves, and black boots. Along with holding a camera, which they were using to take pictures of their expressions.
"Who are you?! Are you the one who brought us here?!" Demanded Lin as she narrowed her eyes at the stranger.
"Yep." The stranger said casually while pocketing their camera, while everyone was taken aback for a moment by his honesty.
"Okay and…where are we exactly?" Korra asked.
"A pocket dimension I created." Replied the stranger, before suddenly appearing in one of the seats, surprising the group, as they regarded him warily after seeing he possessed some form of power.
"And just who are you exactly?" Questioned Tenzin while standing in front of his wife and children in case this person proved to be a threat.
"Who is but the form following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a very nice coat. But if you're asking for a name, you can call me Storm." Introduced Storm, confusing the group at the name.
"Well uh…Storm? Why did you bring us here?" Katara asked.
"I'm so glad you asked Sugar Queen…" Storm said while grinning beneath his hood, making Toph snicker and Katara's eye twitch.
"I brought you all here, to get the chance to get a look at an alternate reality, one featuring all of you." Revealed Storm, making everyone raise a brow in shock and skepticism.
"You're probably all thinking I'm crazy or this is a trap. But I'd also like to point out that Princess, Zuzu, and the Blind Bandit over there are now young again and the Blind Bandit is no longer blind. Along with the fact she can also tell if I'm lying." Stated Storm.
"He's right, and yeah he's telling the truth." Toph said, sensing the stranger was telling the truth.
"Okay…let's say we believe all that. What exactly is the purpose of all this then?" Tenzin questioned.
"Two reasons. The first is because I can. And the second is to help you all learn, since during this viewing you'll all be learning some very interesting secrets. Some of which include a certain masked man you're currently dealing with." Storm said, making most of them stiffen.
"What do you know about Amon and the Equalists?!" Demanded Lin as she glared at the stranger, who raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Just about everything there is to know about him and everything he'd like to stay hidden. All of that and more is what you'll learn here today. So, who's interested in taking a peek behind the curtain?" Storm asked, as everyone traded looks before Korra stepped forward.
"I am." Said Korra, willing to take a chance, especially if it meant getting an advantage over Amon.
"This could be pretty fun, I'm in." Asami said, liking the idea of seeing alternate versions of themselves.
"Why not." Said Mako with a shrug, figuring it couldn't hurt.
"Ooooh, I can't wait to see what we do in this other world!" Bolin said, feeling beyond excited at what was happening.
"Let me, let me!" Ikki said eagerly, wanting to see her counterpart.
"I wanna see how awesome another me is!" Said Meelo, also wanting to see his counterpart.
"It would be fascinating to get the chance to see another world." Jinora stated, unable to deny her curiosity and intrigue at the chance to witness an alternate world.
"I…suppose it couldn't hurt. But what about everyone back in our world, won't they notice us missing?" Tenzin asked.
"That's taken care of. Once we're done here, you'll all be sent back to the moment you were taken, making it seem like you weren't even gone." Replied Storm.
"And what about us? I doubt we can just walk around like this." Zuko said while motioning to him, Katara, and Toph, knowing that them suddenly being young again will draw attention.
"Don't worry, I'll change you back once we're done…maybe." The stranger said with a shrug.
"That's not reassuring." Muttered Katara.
"I don't know about you two, I got no problem being this awesome again! But it'll take time getting used to actually seeing things." Said Toph, having been blind for her entire life, it'll take some getting used to that she can see.
"I guess it can't hurt. As long as the children don't see anything they shouldn't." Pema said sternly, not wanting her children to see anything they shouldn't see at their age.
"Taken care of, since things get intense in the world I'm showing. They won't see or hear anything, R-Rated." Replied Storm, getting some confused looks at what he meant.
"I guess we have nothing better to do." Eska said boredly.
"Agreed, better than sitting around home all day." Added Desna.
"Oooooh, this is gonna be fun! I've been wanting a break from the United Forces and now I get the greatest one I could ask for!" Bumi cheered, glad at the chance to get a break from his duties from the United Forces.
"This could be fun. Especially a chance to mess with our dear baby brother." Said Kya, smirking as she pinched Tenzin's cheek.
"I'm fifty-one-years-old Kya, I hardly qualify as a baby." Tenzin retorted dryly.
"Sorry Tenzin, older siblings' rule. All younger siblings are babies to us." Kya stated.
"Tsk, fine. If it means finding out more about Amon." Muttered Lin, not liking it, but figuring it'd be good to get an advantage over Amon.
The group then sat down in the seats.
"Great, I'm glad we're on in agreement. Before we begin a couple of things, in regard to food and drinks, all you have to do is think it and it'll appear, and bathrooms are through that door." Storm said, motioning to two doors off to the side, while a few of the guests tested out his words, being surprised when food and/or beverages appeared.
"Now then, for when this starts out, it'll be when you two went to go save Bolin from the Equalists. But we'll seeing things take a very different turn. Now, without further ado, let's begin." Storm said, before snapping his fingers as the curtains pulled back, revealing the screen, before to the amazement of the group, it lit up showing the warehouse where the Equalist rally was held.
Korra couldn't believe her eyes, at what she and Mako had just seen happen.
It shouldn't be possible, the ability to take away a person's bending was something only the Avatar was capable of, and only Aang has shown the ability to Energybend in who knows how long. Something that not even Korra has learned to do, yet. But they just saw it happen, Amon succeeded in doing the impossible, he took away Lightning Bolt Zolt's bending, permanently.
"Wait, what?! He can take peoples bending?!" Katara said while looking at Korra and Mako, who nodded gravely.
"Yeah, Amon claims he was given this power by the Spirits, because the Avatar has failed." Korra answered.
"That's impossible. Aang was only able to learn Energybending from a lion turtle. Amon couldn't have been able to encounter the same one, he did." Said Zuko, since Aang had told the original Team Avatar how he had gained Energybending.
"Perhaps this will show us just how Amon gained such a power." Tenzin suggested, with the others nodding as they looked back to the screen.
If they hadn't seen Zolt's lightning dissipating into fire, before the fire vanished entirely, they wouldn't have believed it. But Zolt's attempts to bend fire afterwards all ended in failure, he was a non-bender now.
"That…that shouldn't be possible." Korra muttered, worried and even fearful at what she had just seen.
"But it is, and Amon's about to do the same to Bolin." Said Mako, also worried and fearful like Korra, though not just for himself, but also for his brother, who was currently bound on the stage with the rest of the Triple Threat Triads.
All of whom were about to lose their bending, as well.
"Have I mentioned how grateful I am that you guys saved me, because I'm really grateful." Bolin said, shivering at the sight of Amon going forward to take the bending from the other Triad members, including his.
Though just before the second bender, one that Mako recognized as Shady Shin, could be pushed forward to lose his bending next. Something strange and surprising for everyone had happened next. Someone wearing a long black cloak walked up onto the stage, getting everyone's attention.
"You'll have to forgive me, but members of the audience are not permitted on stage. If you wish to ask something, you may wait until after I have cleansed these benders." Said Amon.
"What's that person doing?" Said Asami, confused at what this stranger was doing going up to the stage, with the others looking confused as well.
"Was there anyone at the rally wearing a cloak like that?" Korra asked while looking at Mako, wondering if maybe this person had been at the rally in their world.
"I…maybe. There were a lot of people there." Replied Mako, unsure himself, having mostly focused on saving Bolin.
"And what if I'm just giving you one more bender to cleanse?" Said the stranger, their voice revealing they were a guy.
'What?!' Thought Korra, and she was sure everyone else was thinking the same thing, this guy was a bender and he was willingly exposing himself after what they all just saw, even more so that he's offering to have his bending taken away.
"What?!" Korra shouted in disbelief at what this stranger just said, with everyone sharing her disbelief
"He's actually stepping forward to let Amon take his bending?!" Said Tenzin, just as shocked, not expecting that anyone would want to get rid of their bending.
"Something isn't right. Look at the way the persons shaking." Lin stated while narrowing her eyes, seeing how the person was shaking where they stood.
"Yeah, almost like they're nervous about something. But not Amon." Added Toph as she saw the same thing her daughter saw.
If it wasn't for Mako, Korra would have rushed into stage to try and talk some sense into this guy, not knowing why he'd willingly allow his bending to be taken.
"Wait! You can't just charge up there and try fighting them all! You'll only be captured!" Mako hissed, with Korra giving him an annoyed look.
"Well if you have a plan, I'm all ears!" Retorted Korra lowly, not wanting to see anyone else have their bending ripped away by Amon, as some twisted form of equality.
"Let's just…let's see what happens." Said Mako, unable to deny the curiosity he felt as to why this person actually wants Amon to take his bending away.
Korra gave Mako an annoyed look at what his other did.
"You can't just stop her, I mean er, me! You can't stop me from making sure no one else loses their bending!" Said Korra.
"Korra, for one, I'm not stopping you. Two, that isn't even really you, or at least the you that we all know. And three, I'm sure the other me wants to get all the details before rushing into something like this." Mako said in defense of his other.
"He's right Korra. While I may not understand the fear of losing your bending, there has to be a reason this person is stepping forward to let Amon take theirs." Added Asami, with Korra crossing her arms.
Meanwhile on the stage, the Chi Blockers moved to subdue the bender, only to be stopped by Amon raising his hand.
"This is…a surprise. You want me to take away your bending?" Questioned Amon, not actually expecting any bender to willingly offer to have their bending taken away.
The person nodded shakily, everyone now noticing their entire body is shaking uncontrollably.
"Yes, yes, I want it gone. I can't…I can't control it. Any time I even try to use it or learn to control it, it-it…people get hurt when I try. I didn't want to, but it just happened. Even when I tried isolating myself away from people, they would still get hurt. So, I want it gone, forever, so I don't hurt anyone again." Said the stranger, looking at their shaking hands, with Amon narrowing his eyes at this, wondering how a person's bending could be that uncontrollable or even what kind of bender he is.
Though he also couldn't pass up the chance to further improve his image amongst his followers.
Everyone fell silent at what the person just said, unsure what to say.
"What…what kind of bending could he have, that he can't control?" Bolin asked nervously, since the way this persona talked, it sounded like his bending had a mind of its own.
"It's not so much he probably can't control it, but something must have happened that makes him afraid to use it." Said Katara, frowning as she remembered the first time Aang used Firebending, when it burned her hands and he refused to use it ever again.
Which must be the same problem this person is having, believing his bending will hurt people if he uses it.
"Then you have made a correct choice in approaching me." Said Amon, walking up and placing a hand on the stranger's shoulder, before addressing the crowd.
"Behold, proof that even benders, like this boy, know the truth of bending and seek to have themselves cleansed of its evil. These benders who willingly approach and desire to have their bending removed, they will be welcomed as equals. This is the next step in creating a world, where everyone is equal!" Amon declared, as the crowd cheered for The Equalist Leader, seeing he was even willing to offer benders a chance to become equal to them, as Amon looked at the stranger who was shaking even harder now.
"This guy's insane." Mako said, repeating what he said earlier, after Amon claimed he could take away a person's bending.
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Stated Mako, seeing Amon was crazier than he originally believed.
"Something's definitely not right with this kid. The way he's shaking…it reminds me of soldiers that have seen things they wish they could forget." Bumi said in a rare serious moment.
"I don't think he's nervous, it's almost like he's…afraid or fighting something inside of him." Said Zuko, knowing the feeling of having an internal battle with yourself, but this person seems to be taking it to another level.
"What do you think is wrong with him?" Said Korra, seeing that whoever this stranger was, the way he was shaking wasn't normal, the Avatar thinking it was almost like…like his body was fighting against him.
"Kneel, and when you rise, you will be amongst your new brothers and sisters." Amon said, motioning the stranger to kneel, so he could remove his bending.
"You may be onto something kid. The way he's moving, it's like his mind is saying one thing, but his body is saying another." Said Lin, seeing the other Korra could be right in her description.
Tenzin nodding in agreement, while remembering when his father told him and his siblings' stories of his past adventures during the Hundred Year War. Along with when he first went into the Avatar State and couldn't control himself, becoming a passenger in his own body.
"The way he's moving…it's almost like…" Katara muttered, frowning as she got a theory, one she really hoped was wrong.
The stranger nodding, before turning around in a slow jerky manner, before trying to drop to their knees. Only to look as if they were stuck, or their body refused to obey their commands. Everyone watching the scene in confusion, not sure what was going on, with some in the crowd starting to mutter amongst themselves.
Korra narrowed her eyes in confusion, wondering what was happening, only for her eyes to widen in shock, when she caught sight of the stranger's hands and the way they were moving. Their fingers being bent and rigid, as if they were controlling a marionette. The Avatar remembering a lesson Katara had taught her about Waterbenders, who made such movements with their hands.
"Mako that guy…that guys a Waterbender." Said Korra, making the Firebender look at her in confusion.
"How can you tell he's a Waterbender?" Mako asked, only to stiffen, when he heard several sickening pops echo around the room, looking back at the stage to see the stranger's legs unwillingly bending, until they were on their knees.
"Because he somehow just Bloodbent himself." Said Korra gravely, while wondering how this person could perform Bloodbending, without a full moon.
"Bloodbending?!" Said Katara, narrowing her eyes, while Pema and Tenzin quickly covered their children's eyes, only to see them suddenly wearing blindfolds and earmuffs, much to their relief.
"He's…Bloodbending himself?" Kya muttered in disbelief that someone would Bloodbend themselves, let alone how it was even possible to do something like that.
"But…why would anyone do that to themselves?" Questioned Asami, looking pale at the sound of the stranger Bloodbending themselves and the pops accompanying it.
"I think better question is, how is this person even Bloodbending without a full moon?" Korra said, making everyone's eyes widen.
"There…there wasn't a full moon on the night of the rally. But it's impossible to Bloodbend without it." Said Mako, knowing that much about the forbidden art.
"People said the same thing about Metalbending, until I proved them all wrong." Toph said, having learned from experience that a bender can accomplish what others consider impossible.
"Nothing's impossible, as long as you have the power and determination." Katara said bitterly, remembering the unwilling lesson Hama had taught her, that bending can accomplish many things, some good and others bad.
Everyone who knew about Bloodbending was also shocked at what they were seeing one right now, even more so that they were actually Bloodbending themselves. None being more shocked than Amon, himself, at seeing another Bloodbender who didn't require the full moon.
Though everyone was pulled from their shock, when the stranger gasped as if in pain before their hands fell onto the stage, their entire body shaking uncontrollable.
"No…it's coming." The stranger said, gritting their teeth.
"What is?" Demanded Amon, looking around for whatever was coming, wondering if this was a trick.
"Y-You…You all need to…RUN!" Said the stranger as they let out a loud ear-piercing scream at the end, making several people jump in shock.
Everyone suddenly jumped in their seats at the sudden scream, all of them feeling a shiver go up their spines at it. Even the normally stoic Desna and Eska looked on with wide eyes at the sudden scream, having never heard anything like it before.
"Something bad is gonna happen, something really bad." Muttered Bolin, feeling very nervous and fearful at the scream, with the others nodding in agreement, only for their horror to grow at what they saw next.
With everyone then being horrified, when they saw blood being forced out of the person's body through their pores. No one being able to move or speak at the terrifying sight, as more and more blood spilled out onto the stage. Yet somehow, the stranger was still alive and conscious. All the while they still screamed in pain at what was happening.
"Oh Spirits…" Korra muttered, covering her mouth in shock at what she was seeing, while feeling something deep inside her practically screaming "danger" and that she should get away.
The same could be said for the viewers, as they were frozen in horror at the sight of the person's blood actually forcing itself out of his body.
"M-Mom, does…does Bloodbending do that?" Kya asked, looking deathly pale at the sight, while Katara shook her head.
"I…I don't know…I've never…I never wanted anything to do with Bloodbending or know about it. But…for all I know, it could have more power than I imagined." Said Katara, while feeling a shiver go up her spine.
Hama had already been dangerous, just by being able to control someone, if she was capable of ripping a person's blood from their body…the Waterbender quickly shook her head at the thought. Not wanting to imagine something so horrifying.
Then to the crowd's and Equalists' further shock, the blood began rising off the stage and spreading over the person's body, covering them in a skin red and black suit. The sight only becoming more terrifying when the strangers screams of pain began turning into maniacal laughter. No one could move as they were forced to watch the horrifying sight, even Amon found himself rooted in place unable to react or move a muscle.
It wasn't long until the person's body was completely covered in the blood-made suit, with the mask having a mouth filled with sharp jagged teeth, while two large white flame-like eyes formed over their own normal ones. Just as the transformation ended, the person, or creature, went completely still and silent, which only unnerved everyone even more than the crazed laughter.
"That…that's not human." Muttered Mako, looking at the creature in shock and fear at what it was and the demented laugh it let out.
"Uh Korra…is that…is that a Spirit?" Asami asked fearfully.
"I don't know. Tenzin?" Said Korra while looking at her Airbending Master, as she tried to stop herself from shaking, since she's already afraid of Amon, she didn't need to be afraid of this…being too.
Only for Tenzin to shake his head as he looked at the being with wide eyes.
"If…if this is in fact a Spirit, or at least someone possessed by a Spirit, it's unlike any I've heard of before." Tenzin answered.
Though soon a psychotic grin stretched across the creature's face before it suddenly spoke.
"Oh Naruto, did you really think that I would just let you get rid of your bending that easily? That you could get rid of ME that easily?!" Said the creature, everyone remaining frozen in shock, along with confusion at who the creature was talking to.
'Is he…talking to himself?' Korra thought, realizing the creature wasn't talking to anyone, only to himself, or maybe it was talking to whoever that person it's now covering was.
"That thing can talk?!" Said Bolin in shock at hearing the creature speak.
"It said a name, Naruto? Could that be the name of the person it's possessing?" Zuko said, while looking around.
"That seems to be the case. But what is that thing and how is it possessing this…Naruto?" Said Katara, figuring the creature likely wasn't there by the young man's choice.
"Whatever it is, it sure ain't friendly, that's for sure." Toph stated, knowing even if she was still blind, she'd be able to tell this creature was bad news just from its laugh.
"You truly are foolish if you thought you could escape me like that. Even if I let you lose your bending, I'd just jump into another host! And how unfortunate for you, you unknowingly hand delivered one straight to me!" Said the creature, standing up and faced Amon with a crazed grin on his face, while the Equalist leader finally came out of his shock.
"Who are you?!" Demanded Amon, the creature laughing wickedly as it held up a clawed hand.
"You claim the Spirits have spoken with you, that they gave you your power, yet you don't a recognize when a Spirit is standing before you? I am the Xiě, the Spirit of Blood! But now, my host and I have a new name, we…ARE CARNAGE!" Carnage roared as tendrils shot out of his back, whipping around wildly, as everyone stepped back in fear as the sight and that a Spirit was standing before them, one admitting to using that bender as a host, though also felt hope that Amon would defeat the evil Spirit.
"Xiě, The Spirit of Blood." Muttered Tenzin at seeing they now had a name for the being, while swearing once they return, he'll be performing extensive research to see if this Xiě exists in their world.
"But he said him, and his host are called Carnage. Does that mean they are working together?" Lin wondered, while narrowing her eyes.
"Maybe it's just an identity he uses while possessing the kid. Like a codename to hide who they really are." Suggested Bumi, having used codenames and phrases while on missions, rather than using actual names.
"Or it's simply what it does, spreading carnage." Katara said, frowning since she didn't like the idea of a Spirit of Blood.
Only for the crowd and Equalists to be shocked and horrified at what Carnage said next.
"And the fact these fools actually believe your lies, just shows how pathetic these sacks of blood really are! You've never even met a Spirit, let alone heard one speaking! That power to take away a person's bending, is bending! You're a Waterbender, a Bloodbender to be more precise!" Carnage revealed, as everyone gasped in shock and horror that their leader was a bender, himself.
"Amon's a bender?!" Said Korra, shocked at hearing this, while not believing what they just heard.
"Then he's crazy and a hypocrite!" Mako said, glaring at Amon while knowing if that was true, then the Equalist movement was based on a lie and lead by a bender.
"Is that even possible though? To take away someone's bending with Bloodbending?" Questioned Asami, looking at the adult benders, only for them to shake their heads.
"Bloodbending is unlike any bending art ever known. No one has ever been able to truly study it, given how it was discovered during the Hundred Year War and kept hidden, before being made illegal by my mother. No one really knows just what it's capable of." Tenzin answered.
"The last known Bloodbender was the crime boss Yakone and Aang took his bending away. But he had a form of Bloodbending, known as Psychic Bloodbending, where he didn't need the full moon or even his hands." Said Katara.
"Yeah, I remember that guy. Smug asshole was lucky I was Chief of Police couldn't really hurt him." Toph said, annoyed as she remembered Yakone and how he Bloodbent her and everyone else to escape.
'Yakone…' Korra thought, before her eyes widened as she remembered her visions after Amon knocked her out.
'Aang, that's what you were trying to tell me.' Thought Korra, realizing Aang had been contacting her, to warn her about Amon being a Bloodbender, by showing her Yakone.
"Amon's a bender?" Mako said, shocked by this revelation.
"But how can he take a person's bending with Bloodbending?" Wondered Korra, having never heard of an ability like that before, with Bloodbending.
"Lies! Do not believe this insane and evil Spirit! One only needs to look at this being and know it is no friend of humanity, merely a monster seeking destruction." Said Amon, trying to save face in the revelation of his Bloodbending being exposed, only for Carnage to laugh mockingly at his words.
"Are you really so desperate, that you have to keep making up more lies. Even more pathetic, you think you can lie to me about Bloodbending?! I'm the Spirit of Blood, I create, I control, and I consume blood, and I recognize a Child of Blood when I see one. And just like my host, you don't need a full moon to Bloodbend. But if you insist on lying, go ahead, I have better things to do!" Carnage said, being letting out a shriek as he suddenly lunged at the still bound Triple Threat Triad members.
Before to everyone's horror, the creature's hands morphed into blades that stabbed through the Earthbender and Firebenders chests. While Carnage opened his mouth, before biting down right onto Shady Shin's throat.
Everyone screamed in horror and shock at the sight, even more so when the Triple Threat Triad members bodies began shriveling up as the creature drained them of their blood. A few Chi Blockers were able to snap out of their shock and horror, before charging the Spirit to try and incapacitate it. Only for the tendrils on his back to impale them and began draining their blood as well.
More than a few of the viewers screamed at the sight of Carnage draining Shady Shin of his blood, with Bolin being the loudest.
"Oh Spirits! That could have been me!" Bolin screamed, looking deathly pale at seeing how close his other could have been to being Carnage's snack, with Mako paling at this realization of how close his other came to losing his brother.
"He's…he's actually drinking and absorbing their blood…" Muttered Kya in horror.
"He said he's the Spirit of Blood, meaning it's likely he draws strength from it as well." Zuko said while clenching his armrests tightly.
Once the creature had fully drained the bodies, it tossed them aside before roaring at the terrified crowd before its hands morphed into axes next.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh it's been so long since we had so many humans to slaughter! Try to make this fun! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Laughed Carnage, before leaping into the crowd and bringing its axe hands down on two unfortunate people, cutting them straight down the middle, before proceeding to begin slicing and cutting apart anyone near him.
This sending the crowd into a frenzy as everyone tried escaping the growing massacred, while Korra and Mako backed away, looking at the sight with wide eyes.
"It's just a game to it." Pema muttered in horror, while Tenzin wrapped an arm around her, both of them thankful their children couldn't see or hear what was happening.
"What it said…has it done this before?!" Said Lin, seeing how Carnage spoke and how it phrased what was happening, with the other's eyes widening in realization and horror at this.
"How many people has it killed?" Katara muttered.
"We need to grab Bolin and then get out of here!" Said Mako, knowing they didn't have the time for subtlety, and simply needed to get far away from whatever this thing was.
Nodding in agreement, Korra looked around, before grimacing when she saw Carnage slam an unfortunate person's head into a machine repeatedly until it was nothing but paste. While seeing that it had also broken some pipes, releasing a large amount of steam. Taking the chance, Korra bent the steam to cover the entire area, providing them some cover from the creature's sight.
"Let's go!" Said Korra as they discarded their disguises, while returning Mako's scarf to him, before the two ran towards the stage to grab Bolin.
Meanwhile, Carnage paused in his massacre, holding his latest victim by their throat while looking around through the sudden steam, before noticing Amon and his remaining guards trying to escape.
"Did I say you could leave?!" Carnage roared, tearing off his victim's head, before jumping towards Amon, his tendrils shooting out and impaling his guards, with the Lieutenant trying to strike him with his kali sticks.
Only for Carnage to dodge the strike before stabbing his hand straight into the man's chest and ripping his heart out, which Carnage then proceeded to devour, much to everyone's growing horror. The Spirit then looked at Amon with mad, bloody smile, before laughing wickedly.
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Asami muttered, looking green at seeing the Spirit of Blood actually devour a heart, after ripping it out of someone's chest.
"Well…at least it's going after Amon." Stated Mako weakly, seeing as his and Korra's others could hopefully get Bolin and then get the hell out of there before Carnage went after them next.
"Some leader you are, rather than stay to protect what followers I didn't slaughter, you choose to run to save your own skin. I'd call you a coward, but that's actually the smart thing to do right now! Too bad for you, I don't like weaklings having access to my powers!" Said Carnage, before rushing towards Amon, with the Equalist leader being forced to backpedal away from the slashes from the Spirits claws.
Amon tried using his chi blocking to incapacitate Carnage, only for him to laugh off his strikes and backhand him, knocking the man across the room.
"If you really aren't a bender, then how will you survive this!" Carnage said, rotating his arms as the surrounding steam was condensed into water, which Carnage then froze into razor sharp icicles before launching all of them straight at Amon.
Amon's eyes widened behind his mask at the danger he was in, knowing he wouldn't be able to dodge all of the icicles. And if even one hit him, he was as good as dead.
Mentally cursing, knowing he didn't have a choice, Amon raised his hands stopping the icicles in their tracks. Much to the remaining Equalists and non-benders shock and despair, at seeing undeniable proof that their leader is a bender.
"And there it is. So much for that "chosen by the Spirits" bullshit." Carnage taunted, as Amon scowled behind his mask at seeing his entire plan falling apart before his eyes.
"He really is a bender then." Said Tenzin, upon seeing that Amon was a Waterbender.
"Meaning we'll have a way to take him down and expose him." Lin said, knowing once they get back, they'll have a chance to make a plan to force Amon to reveal his bending and take down the Equalists.
"Can't say the same for this Amon. Pretty sure he's about to become a snack." Stated Toph, doubting the other Amon was going to live much longer.
"You'll pay for your interference!" Amon shouted, before launching the icicles right back at Carnage, only for the Spirit to wave his arms sending the icicles shooting off to the sides, impaling anyone unfortunate enough to be in their paths.
Roaring, Carnage then leapt at Amon who was beginning to feel fear creeping up within him at realizing he could really die. Fueled by desperation, Amon tried Bloodbending Carnage, hoping he'd be able to at least incapacitate him for a while, long enough for him to escape and try to salvage his plans.
Carnage felt Amon's attempt to Bloodbend him and couldn't help but laugh that the fool really thought that would work. Deciding that death would be to merciful right now, Carnage instead grabbed Amon and threw him into the center of the room.
Then to everyone's further shock, Carnage stomped on the ground as Amon's wrists and ankles were restrained in earth cuff, before he was forced up onto his knees, with his arms restrained behind him.
"What?!" Korra shouted in shock and disbelief, not believing what they just saw.
"Did he just Earthbend?!" Said Kya with wide eyes.
"But…but…but…you're the Avatar!" Bolin said while looking at Korra and back to Carnage.
"That thing, it's able to bend more than one element?" Katara said, having just seen it, but was still having trouble believing it.
"That…that shouldn't be possible. Only the Avatar can bend more than one element." Said Tenzin, not understanding how such a thing was possible.
"Bu-bu-bu-but-but, you're the Avatar!" Bolin shouted, looking between Korra and Mako, unable to comprehend what they just saw, that Carnage could Earthbend and Waterbend.
"How…how's that possible?" Said Mako, looking at the restrained Amon with wide eyes.
"I, I don't know." Korra muttered, not sure how it's possible for Carnage or his host to be an Earthbender and Waterbender at the same time.
Carnage then sped up to Amon and grabbed his head, knocking his mask off his face, revealing his "scar". Only for Carnage to rake his claws across Amon's face, making him cry out and revealing the "scar" was only make up.
"Even the scar is fake?! Is there even anything real about you or are you really just one giant lie?!" Said Carnage, laughing at how pathetic Amon was with all his lies, while the still living followers were only further demoralized at seeing yet another lie from their leader.
"Clever. Creating a fake scar to help sell his story of being a non-bender that was scarred by a Firebender." Zuko stated with a frown, since it was a smart move on Amon's part in case anyone had doubts about his story.
But given his own scar and how he got it, it did anger Zuko that someone would take such a mark and use it as a means for their own selfish gains.
"Well go on, do it!" Amon shouted, seeing he was beaten and going to die, but refused to let Carnage be satisfied at seeing how afraid he really was.
Only to feel a shiver go down his spine, when Carnage laughed and turned him around and forced his head backwards, the Spirit looking down at him with a malevolent grin.
"Oh, I'm not going to kill you, not yet anyway. No, I want to enjoy your suffering as long as I can, and what better way than to watch your plans be swallowed by an ocean of blood. And look at it this way, since you've preached so much about equality, then let's put you on the same level as the sheep following you!" Said Carnage, before to Amon's complete horror, he put his thumb on the Equalist leader's forehead with Amon feeling his connection to his bending being severed, feeling the same thing that he had done to so many benders, before him.
The groups shock continued to grow at what they just saw, seeing Carnage take away Amon's bending with the same power he's used against who knows how many other benders.
'You never deserved it to begin with.' Korra thought, feeling vindictive pleasure at seeing Amon lose his bending, while feeling more satisfied than she should at seeing Amon be afraid for once.
Even better, that he's now afraid for the same reason benders feared him, at losing his bending.
Once that was done, Carnage released Amon and tossed him aside, before looking at the remaining people and raised his hand.
"Now, where were we?" Carnage said as his claws extended, before he resumed his massacre, with everyone once again trying to escape the murderous Spirit.
All while Korra, Mako, and Bolin were shocked at what they saw, not only at Carnage bending multiple elements, but him taking away Amon's bending as well. Though the three were able to snap out of their shock, when Carnage began killing people again and quickly ran for the exit.
The Fire Ferrets quickly ran outside and jumped down off the balcony, with Korra whistling and calling Naga to them.
"Naga, let's go!" Korra said, as the three jumped onto the polar bear dog, which took off running away from the rally.
"Oh thank goodness! We got away from the scary blood hungry Spirit!" Bolin said in relief that their others got away.
"How about waiting until after they've put an oceans worth of distance between them and the murderous Spirit." Said Mako, knowing just because they got out of the warehouse, didn't mean they were in the clear just yet.
"Oh thank goodness, you guys showed up! First Amon almost taking my bending, then whatever that freaky red thing was. What even was that?! How could it bend water and earth?! Was it really a Spirit!" Asked Bolin, shivering at remembering how close that thing had been to him, when it killed the Triple Threat Triad members.
"Whatever it is, let's just try to put as much distance between it and us as we can. We also need to tell somebody about what we just saw, and of that thing being on the loose." Mako said, knowing that the city needed to know about Amon's now former ability to take away a person's bending, and whatever that thing is, running around killing people.
Korra nodded in agreement, knowing she had to tell Tenzin, the moment she got back to Air Temple Island. Though she also couldn't help, but wonder what Carnage really was and about the person in the suit. How he was practically begging Amon to take away his bending, before he turned into a killing machine, draining bodies of their blood. Even removing Amon's bending as well, after exposing him, as if the entire thing was just a show it was putting on.
'Could that be all it was? A show to put on for everyone to see and know he's out there? But then who is that person from before? Carnage called him his host; is he being controlled?' Korra wondered, feeling like there was more to it, than what they saw.
"Those are excellent questions Korra. It's good to see you thinking things over." Tenzin said, smiling at his student before looking back the screen curiously, while the Avatar nodded.
"I'm actually wondering all that to. I mean sure Carnage said it, he, was a Spirit. But where did it come from and how is he possessing that person, Naruto?" Said Korra.
"Just be careful Korra, no matter what Carnage is, it's dangerous and his host could be even more dangerous." Katara warned, not want Korra to get hurt by trying to learn more about Carnage and his host.
Unfortunately, Korra was pulled from her thoughts as the three stiffened, when they heard a familiar shriek behind them.
"Uh, guys?" Bolin said nervously, as he slowly turned his head, only to scream in fear at seeing Carnage running after them on all fours.
Bolin screamed at the same time as his other self, terrified at the sight of Carnage chasing after them.
"Why is it chasing after us?!" Bolin said, afraid at the chance and that they'll see their counterparts be killed.
"It may act like a crazed killer, but this Carnage seems to be more of a hunter and predator. Attacking and hunting its prey with a fierce determination and possibly a savage desire to kill." Said Bumi while narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah, I've seen animals in the wild with similar behavior. The only difference, they kill for food, but Carnage…it seems like he does it because he can." Kya said, having seen plenty of animals during her travels and knew how they acted and behaved.
"Not for long, if I have anything to say about it." Muttered Lin, knowing her counterpart wouldn't stop until Carnage was locked up tight or he was put in the ground.
"Korra, can't she go any faster?!" Shouted Mako, shocked that the creature was able to keep up with a polar bear dog, and it seemed to be gaining on them.
"Naga! Get Mako and Bolin out of here!" Korra said, making the brothers look at her with wide eyes.
"Us?! What about you?!" Mako demanded.
"I'm going to stall him for as long as I can!" Answered Korra, much to their shock and disbelief.
"Are you kidding?! After we saw it did, it'll tear you apart!" Said Bolin, not wanting Korra to risk her life, fighting that thing.
"It can try!" Korra stated, then before either of them could argue against her plan, Korra leapt off Naga's back right towards the creature.
"Korra! We will be having a long talk about you recklessly jumping into dangerous situations." Tenzin said while narrowing his eyes at the girl, wanting to make sure she doesn't pull a repeat of what she tried doing with Amon.
"Wha?! Ah come on, I'm at least doing it to make sure Mako and Bolin can get away!" Said Korra in her others defense.
"That doesn't make it better! We could have helped if you had let us stay behind!" Mako argued, with Bolin nodding in agreement.
"Yeah! Even if Carnage is a really scary…big…evil…blood hungry…crazy…monster…but yeah, we could have helped." Bolin said fearfully, though wasn't sure on what their chances would have been.
"WOOHOO! We finally get a real fight!" Toph cheered, eager to see some action.
"Toph! Korra's risking her life against a Spirit, that can bend multiple elements and could very likely kill her!" Said Katara, not feeling as eager as her friend.
"I know! That makes it even cooler! Let's go Twinkle Toes!" Said Toph, making Katara sigh and cover her face.
Just as Carnage was about to swipe at her, Korra launched a fire blast right at his face, sending flying backwards crashing into a wall. The Spirit looking at Korra with a mad grin, before flipping onto the wall and sticking to it, like a spider.
"Hehehehe, it's been so long since someone actually hit me. It'll make killing you all the more fun, Avatar!" Said Carnage, before jumping at Korra with his claws turning into blades.
Korra stomped on the ground raising an earth wall, blocking the creature, only to be surprised when he managed to slice clean through the stone. The Avatar only having a moment to jump back, to avoid being cut into pieces by the Spirit's claws. Only to gasp in surprise, as his arm morphed into a tendril that shot forward and wrapped around her body, before proceeding to spin her around, slamming the girl into several objects.
"Round and round they go, which way they stop, no one knows! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Carnage laughed, before releasing Korra, sending the Avatar crashing into a Satomobile.
"He can stick to walls, transform his body into weapons and tendrils, has enhanced abilities, and can bend different elements." Muttered Zuko, making a list of all of Carnage's abilities they're seeing.
"Don't forget he can absorb blood and potentially grows stronger from it, uh Lord Zuko." Asami added, before quickly adding the latter part, while remembering who she's speaking to, with Zuko waving it off and nodding.
"Yeah, and just Zuko if you want." Said Zuko, having never really been big on titles, especially after he retired as Fire Lord, since he's always seen himself as just Zuko.
"Um…could that be how he can bend multiple elements? By drinking the blood of other benders?" Pema said, while holding her children fearfully at the idea of them being targeted by Carnage for their blood, with Tenzin doing the same.
"It's a possibility." Said Katara to her daughter-in-law.
Groaning, Korra stood up, knowing she'll definitely be feeling that in the morning, before quickly pushing the pain back, to focus on the fight. Rotating her arms, Korra caused a geyser of water to shoot out from the sewer, below Carnage, launching him into the air, before proceeding to shoot several fireballs at the Spirit. Only for the creature to bend the water around him, and launch it at the fireballs, dousing them.
Carnage then propelled himself towards the ground and slammed its fists down, causing an earth wave to rise up and rush towards Korra. Something that still surprised the Avatar, seeing the Spirit able to bend two elements.
She was only able to create another earth wall at the last second, saving herself, with the creature leaping over the wall, roaring loudly, and unleashing a blast of crimson flames at her. Acting quickly, Korra bent the water in front of her before freezing it, with the flames impacting the ice and creating a mist.
"And he can Firebend too, what are the odds." Mako muttered dryly, not surprised and figured it was a possibility.
"Really hoping it can't Airbend too." Said Korra, knowing she'd have trouble with three elements, she'd really be in danger if Carnage had all four.
Along with having to deal with a blow to her pride, as the Avatar at getting beaten by someone else who had all the elements.
With Korra stomping on the ground, causing it to open up and suck her in, hiding her from the creature, so she can have some time to form a plan.
'Okay, okay, somehow he's able to bend three elements, potentially four, if he knows Airbending as well. He's able to morph his body into weapons and is also really durable. Just what is this thing?!' Korra thought, not sure what she's facing, and isn't even sure if she could beat it.
When the ground suddenly opened up above her, Korra didn't hesitate to make an earth pillar and slamming it up into Carnage, before kicking her leg up, unleashing an arc of flames at him. Figuring the only chance she had to beat Carnage, was by hitting him hard and fast, until he went down.
With that in mind, Korra jumped out of the hole, before proceeding to unleash a torrent of water at the Spirit. Freezing the water, the moment it made contact with the creature. When she stopped, Carnage was now frozen in a large block of ice. Though the Avatar didn't stop there, stomping on the ground, she created two earth walls on either side of Carnage, before having them move towards it, slamming together. This breaking the ice and leaving him crushed between them.
Making an opening in the walls, Korra then proceeded to thrust her fists forward, releasing a large blast of fire into the opening and towards the creature. While she wasn't sure if it'd be enough to take it down, Korra hoped it was enough to at least slow the Spirit down, for a few moments.
Finally, Korra cut off the flames and look at the partially melted earth walls, panting at the energy she just used.
"Well, that wasn't so difficult." Korra stated, after searching for any movement, but was glad not to see any, showing the creature was taken care of, at least for the moment, since something was telling the Avatar that wasn't enough to kill it.
"Alright! Way to go Korra!" Cheered Bolin, seeing Korra managed to take Carnage down.
"I wouldn't cheer just yet Bolin. Korra's counterpart doubts that was enough to take Carnage down, and I think it's much stronger than we think." Asami said, making Bolin stop cheering while everyone focused on where Carnage was.
Unfortunately, before Korra could leave to meet up with her teammates and Naga, she stopped as her eyes widened, when she heard a familiar laughter. Looking, the girl couldn't believe her eyes, as she saw a red liquid leaking out of the walls, before rising up and reforming into Carnage, who smiled wickedly at her.
"That all you got, Avatar?" Carnage taunted, as Korra unwillingly took a step back, not believing that he didn't have a scratch on him, even after all that.
Everyone looked on in shock at seeing that even after being crushed and burned, Carnage didn't even look the slightest bit injured or tired. In fact, seeming more amused if anything. That's not even counting how it reformed from that puddle of blood.
"What…what are you?" Korra asked, before gasping in shock and pain, when her body began twisting and turning against her will, as she was put under the creatures Bloodbending grip, while the creature laughed wickedly as its claws grew very long, dragging the tips along the grounds, creating sparks
"We. Are. CARNAGE!" Carnage roared, before charging at Korra to slice her into pieces, with the Avatar closing her eyes, ready for the pain.
"NO!" Almost everyone shouted in fear and horror at seeing Korra was helpless, with the Avatar paling and wanted to look away at the chance of seeing her counterpart die but found herself unable to.
Only for them to be surprised at what they saw next.
Only it never came.
Instead, Korra suddenly found herself free of the Bloodbending grip, while hearing Carnage falling to the ground screaming. Looking, Korra was surprised, when she saw Carnage rolling on the ground, as if in pain or fighting something within him.
"Wha?" Bolin said in confusion.
"He's…not attacking anymore?" Tenzin said, surprised at this development.
"It's like before, when that kid was…fighting himself." Stated Kya as they began realizing what was happening.
"NO! No, I won't go back yet! I could have her power! No one could stop us; we would be invincible! You can't make me go back yet!" Screamed Carnage, as Korra slowly circled it, ready to fight, should it suddenly attack her again, though she was also confused by the way it sounded like he was talking to someone.
'Could that person be fighting Carnage for control?' Korra thought, wondering if that's what they have to deal with, constantly fighting for control of their own body against Carnage.
Before Korra could contemplate this further, Carnage suddenly went limp on the ground, before the red and black suit seemed to recede back into the body of person inside it. With the person now no longer having their cloak anymore, allowing Korra to get a good look at them.
"To have a strong enough willpower to take back control from a Spirit of that power…incredible." Muttered Tenzin, amazed this boy was strong enough to forcefully take control back from Carnage.
"Hey! What's the big idea, what did we miss?!" Demanded Meelo, as everyone looked at the children seeing they were no longer blindfolded or wearing earmuffs.
"Aaaaah, did we miss the action?!" Ikki said, upon seeing Korra on screen, walking to the unconscious stranger.
"What did we miss?" Asked Jinora looking around.
"Nothing important sweety!" Pema said quickly, not wanting her children to learn what they just saw.
Only for Korra to be shocked at seeing it wasn't a grown man, instead it was a seventeen-year-old teenager, the same age as her. He had unique bright spiky blonde hair with blood red tips, pale skin, and three whisker marks on his cheeks, reminding Korra of a fox or cat. His attire consisted of black sandals, black pants with a red splatter pattern on them, and a crimson red shirt. All of which, were torn and damaged.
Everyone was surprised at the sight of the person beneath the cloak and the suit.
"He's…just a kid." Said Katara, not expecting the person controlled by Carnage to be a teenager.
"Look at his clothes, it looks like he hasn't changed them in years." Kya said frowning.
"He did say he tried isolating himself, I guess he never bothered getting new ones and risking Carnage coming out to kill more people." Stated Toph.
'He did say that he tried to go into self-exile. Is this a result of it?' Korra thought, as she took note of how pale he was, and the state that his clothes were in.
Though, she couldn't see what color his eyes were at the moment, given he was currently unconscious.
Korra observed the teen for a few moments, wondering what she should do. Part of her knew she should take him straight to the Metalbenders, to be locked away for everything he did. But another part knew that what happened likely wasn't his fault, and instead whatever that Spirit, inside him was.
'I really hope, I don't regret this.' Thought Korra, going over and picking the teen up, wrapping an arm around his waist and throwing his arm over her shoulder, as the Avatar began the journey to find Naga and then get back to Air Temple Island.
"And just what do you think you're doing?!" Lin demanded, narrowing her eyes at Korra, who glared back at the Chief of Police.
"I believe my other is helping someone. You know, like the Avatar is supposed to do." Retorted Korra.
"You're taking a criminal, one who's just murdered who knows how many people!" Said Lin.
"Carnage is the one who killed those people! His host isn't responsible and even tried getting rid of his bending to get rid of Carnage! And his name is Naruto!" Korra said, while not fully knowing what her counterpart was thinking, she'd probably do the same and help Naruto.
"Enough! Lin, Korra is simply doing what she believes is right and helping someone, who clearly needs it. But Korra, you also need to be careful about helping someone you don't know, especially someone connected to a being like Carnage." Tenzin said, while looking between the two, with the both of them grumbling in annoyance and crossing their arms.
*Later*
Korra walked up to Tenzin, still carrying the teen with her, with the Airbending master spotting his charge and quickly walked up to her.
"Thank goodness. I was just about to send out a search party. Are you all right? And who is this?" Tenzin asked, putting a hand on Korra's shoulder while looking at the stranger curiously, with the Avatar shaking her head, before setting the teen against the railing.
"Korra, what happened? Did you find your friend?" Questioned Tenzin, worried something might have happened.
"Yes, but… I was at an Equalist rally. I saw Amon." Korra revealed, much to Tenzin's shock.
"What?" Tenzin said.
"He could take people's bending away. For good." Said Korra, as the realization began sinking in that before his own bending was taken, Amon had the ability to take away a person's bending, he could have taken away her bending.
"That's…that's impossible. Only the Avatar has ever possessed that ability." Tenzin said, knowing for a fact that only the Avatar had that kind of power, while missing the past tense that Korra used, in his shock.
"But I saw him do it." Korra said, needing Tenzin to believe her to understand just how dangerous Amon was, had been.
"I believe you. I don't know how Amon has achieved this power, but this means the revolution is more dangerous than ever. No bender is safe." Tenzin said, gravely as he looked out at Republic City.
"Well, at least they don't have to worry about Amon or the Equalists anymore." Mako stated, knowing the Equalists wouldn't be a problem without their leader, leaving only Carnage if he comes out again.
"I wouldn't be so sure. You saw how many people were at the rally, right? Who knows if any of them had managed to escape and spread the word of what happened, including of Amon being a bender. It may simply lead the Equalists to becoming even more anti-bending." Said Asami, making the adults nod, knowing that taking down the leader isn't enough to defeat a group.
With Zuko, Katara, and Toph knowing firsthand, given their encounter with the New Ozai Society.
"Which will just create even more problems that my Metalbenders will have to deal with." Lin muttered in annoyance.
"I wouldn't worry about Amon anymore. He's taken care of." Said Korra, knowing without his bending, Amon wasn't a threat to anyone, especially with all his lies exposed.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Tenzin, now confused by what she meant.
"That's not all, I saw…I saw something else. Something horrible." Said Korra, wrapping her arms around herself, remembering when Carnage first appeared and all the people he killed, with Tenzin looking at her in worry wondering what other problems they had to worry about.
"Korra, what did you see? Does it have to do with this boy?" Tenzin asked, needing to know what they're dealing with, if not Amon then who, while glancing at the stranger, wondering if he might be involved in what Korra was talking about.
"Tenzin, what do know about Xiě, the Spirit of Blood?" Said Korra, with Tenzin's eyes widening in shock and horror at her question, while turning deathly pale at how she knew that name.
"How…how do you know that name?" Said Tenzin, with Korra looking at the unconscious teen, with dread starting to well up in the Airbending master.
"Because I just fought him." Korra revealed, wanting to know who this was and what that thing inside of him was.
She just hopes that she hasn't brought a monster into her home.
All eyes immediately went to Tenzin, only for him to shake his head.
"I'm not sure how my other knows about Xiě. The only thing we can do, is keep watching to find out more of what's happening. Hopefully, we'll also learn who Xiě is and where he came from." Said Tenzin, making everyone nod before looking back to the screen.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we have Korra, Tenzin and his family, Bumi, Kya, the Krew, Lin, Desna and Eska, and the restored members of Team Avatar reacting to "Curse of the Spirit of Blood"! With there already being plenty of surprises and reveals in the first chapter, with more to come. And like I said, I'm unsure about doing these types of stories, so constructive feedback (no flaming!) is appreciated on what I can do to improve the story. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
