Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the aftermath of Carnage's attack on the rally, along with learning just who Xiě is and how Naruto became his host. So, without further ado.
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Korra sighed as she sat within a guest room, where the stranger from the Equalist rally was resting. Though the Avatar did remember that Carnage called him Naruto when he first appeared.
'I guess that's his name, Naruto.' Korra thought as she looked at Naruto's unconscious form on the bed, before glancing at Tenzin, who stood by the door with a stoic expression.
Three days have passed, since the disaster at the Equalist rally and Korra bringing Naruto to Air Temple Island, with the boy having not woken up since their fight. Korra figuring that Carnage taking control of him and then forcefully taking back control, took a lot out of him.
After bringing Naruto to the island and getting him settled in a room. Korra had been pulled into Tenzin's study, where she had finally been able to get some answers.
*Flashback*
Tenzin paced the length of his study, as dozens of thoughts raced through his head.
After getting over his initial shock and horror at hearing Korra ask him who Xiě is, along with the knowledge that the boy she brought to his family's home may somehow be connected to him. The Airbending master had been tempted to call Lin and have her lock the boy up, not wanting to risk such a threat being near his family. He had only relented at Korra's insistence that the boy himself wasn't a threat, but whatever inside him was.
So, Tenzin had allowed Korra to place him in a guest room, along with posting White Lotus sentries around the room, in case he woke up and needed to be restrained. Before taking Korra to his study to get the full story of what happened.
And safe to say, Tenzin was shocked and horrified by what he heard, at the knowledge that the boy may possibly have formed a pact with Xiě to become his host, the resulting massacre, and the fact that he could Earthbend, Waterbend, and Firebend, possibly Airbend as well. The only thing that seemed to remotely calm him down, was learning that the boy seemed to want Amon to take away his bending. Along with the fact that before Carnage, as Korra called him, could kill her, he seemed to forcefully take back control.
After she had finished telling him what happened, Tenzin had simply began pacing around the room to organize his now chaotic thoughts, while Korra sat on the floor. With the Avatar starting to get impatient and wanting to finally get some answers.
"Tenzin! Can you stop pacing and just tell me, who is Xiě?!" Korra said, after reaching her limit, while also pulling Tenzin from his thoughts, as the Airbending master sighed before sitting down across from the Avatar.
"I'm sure you've heard the story about the Moon Spirit and the Ocean Spirit." Tenzin stated, with Korra raising a brow in confusion, but nodded in response.
"Yeah, Master Katara told me about it, along with when she, Aang, and Sokka travelled to the Northern Water Tribe." Replied Korra, having heard plenty of stories of Aang's adventures with his friends, including how they met the Ocean Spirit, La, and the Moon Spirit, Tui.
"Yes, I'm sure she's told you, but I just wanted to be sure." Said Tenzin, before standing up and going over to a bookshelf, where he searched for a specific scroll, before finally finding it and pulled it out.
Sitting back down, Tenzin unrolled the scroll in front of Korra, with the girl being surprised to see that it showed a series of drawings, as if telling a story.
"Tui and La, the Moon and the Ocean, were among the first Spirits to travel to the mortal world and assume physical forms. Together, they have been circling each other for eternity in an eternal dance, balancing each other. Good and evil, yin and yang, that is how it has always been." Tenzin said, pointing to the image of Tui and La in their physical forms of koi fish, circling each other, with Korra looking at the images as she felt entranced by it.
As if they were actually moving, before Tenzin continued to speak.
"But that is known, only after they had taken their physical forms. Before that, when they still remained in the Spirit World, there is more to their story." Said Tenzin as he moved onto a new image, showing Korra who she guessed were Tui and La in their true spirit forms, but she also saw a third being.
"Thousands of years ago, the Moon and Ocean Spirits were praised and revered by humanity, the ocean for providing food and nourishment, and the moon for the light it gives during their darkest times. But there was a third spirit, one who provided humanity the means to live. Xiě, the Blood Spirit and Brother of the Ocean Spirit." Tenzin said, with Korra's eyes widening at this knowledge.
"Xiě and La, are brothers?" Questioned Korra, having never heard any mention of the Ocean Spirit having a brother.
"Yes. But while La was loved, Xiě was regarded as evil and scorned, sparking hatred and jealous within Xiě for being seen as evil, despite how his power and essence flowed through the veins of all living beings. But what truly drove Xiě and La apart, was the love they had for the Moon Spirit. Each brother vying for her affection, and when Tui chose La over him, Xiě was enraged. Since then Xiě had despised both his brother and his wife, seeking for the chance to take his revenge on them both. With the chance arriving when both Spirits traveled to mortal world and taught the first Waterbenders. It was then, that Xiě cursed La and Tui's disciples, making it so when the Moon and Ocean are truly united, they will be transformed into Children of Blood." Said Tenzin.
"The full moon." Korra said as she realized what that meant, when the moon was full and Waterbenders were at their strongest.
"Correct. When the moon is full, the Waterbenders' power is at their strongest, strong enough to bend the water within another living creature, their very blood. During these nights, Waterbenders become weak to Xiě's influence and power, the Spirit of Blood whispering in their ears, tempting them with the power to control all those around them. Seeking those who have darkness within their hearts, so they can experience the same pain and hatred, as he has. It is these Waterbenders that become known as Children of Blood, having accepted the power Xiě offers to become Bloodbenders. With there being those, who have enough power to not need a full moon to access this power. When Tui and La learned of what Xiě had done, he was cursed by his brother and his wife, transforming him into a Dark Spirit. A being of pure malice and hatred, who only seeks destruction wherever he goes. All the while, whispering in the ears of the Children of the Moon and the Ocean, seeking to corrupt them into his Children of Blood." Tenzin said as he finished the story, with Korra gulping as she saw drawing of Xiě that looked even more terrifying than Carnage.
"But wait…I thought Bloodbending was created during the Hundred Year War by Hama? And how do you even know about all this Tenzin?" Korra asked, having not been sure if Tenzin even knew who Xiě was, or not.
"To answer your first question, I'll have to answer the second. It was years ago during my father's time, when he helped Police Chief, Toph Beifong, stop a crime lord named Yakone. A powerful Waterbender and Bloodbender, who possessed the unique ability to Bloodbend someone with his mind, without the need of a full moon or any movements. It was after my father took away Yakone's bending, that he sought to find out just how it was possible for someone to Bloodbend. Having developed doubts that Hama was the first person capable of such a thing. It was after his time in the Spirit World, that he learned about Xiě and wrote down what he learned. All while keeping it a secret from everyone, except my mother, not wanting knowledge of Xiě to become public." Tenzin explained.
"Katara knew?" Asked Korra, surprised that her Waterbending master knew about Xiě.
"Yes, she did, though I'm sure she wishes she didn't. The idea of criminals having the power to Bloodbend was bad enough, but that there was an actual Spirit who could influence all Waterbenders in such a way. It's why my mother hates Bloodbending, for the corrupting power it gives, to make good people do horrible things." Tenzin said, having learned about his mothers' journey with Fire Lord Zuko to hunt down the man who killed her mother, where she had actually Bloodbent someone in her anger, that being the second and only other time she did so.
"So…it's possible for other Bloodbenders to be out there?" Korra said, now understanding just why Katara had gotten so angry with her, when Korra once brought up Bloodbending, having not fully understood why it was such a dark art.
Now seeing that it wouldn't just be taking control of another human being and treating them like a puppet, but she'd also be under Xiě's influence, as well.
"It's possible there are, and they simply are better at hiding such abilities. But it seems this boy isn't just a Bloodbender, he is Xiě's host as well. And can somehow Earthbend and Firebend by some unknown means." Said Tenzin, while frowning, as he was still wary of having the boy in his home, especially if he's the host of a truly evil Spirit.
"Then how exactly did you find out about Xiě? If Aang only told Katara, how did you find out?" Korra asked with a frown, since she wondered how Tenzin knew, before seeing the Airbender's shoulders slump and he seemed to have age a few years.
"It's due the reports we've been getting, all throughout the Earth Kingdom." Tenzin said, tiredly.
"Reports?" Korra asked warily, not sure she wanted to know.
"Massacres, dozens of them, entire towns of people being ripped apart, something pulled from your darkest nightmares. And all of them having one thing in common, there wasn't a drop of blood anywhere in sight." Tenzin revealed, while Korra paled at hearing this.
"Xiě." Korra said, with Tenzin nodding at her answer.
"Yes. Given he is the Spirit of Blood, he is taking back what he believes is rightfully his, along with empowering himself as the more blood he consumes, the stronger he becomes. At first, I simply believed it to be the work of Dark Spirits. But after some time, I learned about Xiě. Where like my father, I kept this knowledge a secret, not wanting to cause panic at this knowledge getting out. Both against Waterbenders as a whole, and the Spirits." Tenzin said, wondering if his father had felt this conflicted at knowing such a secret, but knowing why it needed to remain as such.
But now it seemed that secret would soon be exposed if anyone had survived Carnage's attack and spread word of his presence.
Korra gulped at this knowledge, while thankful that whoever Xiě's host was, they managed to take back control before he could kill her, or anyone else. And while part of Korra wanted to blame him for such horrific actions, she felt that he's just as much a victim as everyone else, being controlled and used by Xiě.
And she'll try to help him, anyway she could.
*End Flashback*
Since then, Korra's been checking on Naruto in between her Airbending training, waiting for him to wake up. With Tenzin joining her this time, as from what the sentries have reported, he's been stirring more often, showing he's likely to wake up soon.
As if on que, Korra saw that Naruto's eyes fluttered open, revealing they were a bright blue color with flecks of red in them. With the teen glancing around the room, before looking at her and Tenzin for a moment, then up at the ceiling, while letting out a resigned sounding sigh.
"How many?" Naruto asked, with Korra wincing at the question, having a feeling she knew what it implied, given her knowledge of the massacres in the Earth Kingdom.
How many bodies this time?
"Uh…likely a couple dozen, maybe fewer, I think." Korra answered, having gotten a rough estimate of the amount of deaths, after Tenzin informed the Metalbenders of the location of the rally and finding the aftermath of Carnage's attack.
"At least it wasn't too many, this time." Muttered Naruto, with Korra wincing once again, wondering just how many times this has happened, that he's relieved the number was only a few dozen.
"Well, uh…I'm Korra, the Avatar. And that's Tenzin, my Airbending teacher." Korra said as she waved awkwardly at Naruto, who glanced at them for a few moments.
"…Naruto." Replied Naruto, before sitting up, raising brow when he saw he wasn't in chains or restrained in anyway, before noticing some kind of tag attached to his chest, under his shirt.
"What is this thing?" Naruto asked.
"A talisman created by me and the White Lotus, used to suppress and trap Dark Spirits. We placed it on you to suppress Xiě, making it so he can't control you. Hopefully, it will las long enough to find a way for us to separate him, from you." Tenzin answered, with Naruto looking at him with a raised brow.
"Good luck with that." Said Naruto, doubting they'd find a way to remove Carnage.
Even if they did, he'd just jump into another host, like he said he would. Something he admittedly hadn't considered when he tried getting Amon to take his bending. Only thinking of having it and Xiě gone, so he wouldn't kill anyone else.
But that plan obviously failed, and at this point, Naruto's resigning himself to being stuck with Xiě for the rest of his very long life.
Tenzin frowned at his words, sounding as if he didn't expect them to succeed in finding a way to remove Xiě.
"Now, Naruto, if you don't mind answering a few questions for us. How exactly did you become Xiě's host?" Tenzin asked, with Korra looking at him, also curious about how he came into contact with Xiě, as Naruto looked between the two, before sighing.
"I was a kid; I grew up in a small village, in the northwestern part of the Earth Kingdom with my mother, who was a Waterbender, as well as the resident healer and hunter. It was nice, especially when I eventually showed to be a Waterbender, as well. But then one day, we were attacked by Dark Spirits, they just attacked and started killing people, including my mother. I was angry, angrier than I've ever been. I would have died too, but then I heard a voice, it offered me the power to save myself and have my revenge. I didn't bother to think it over, so I immediately accepted the chance to have revenge and live." Said Naruto.
"It was Xiě, wasn't it." Korra said, with Naruto nodding in confirmation.
"Yeah, I opened the door and Xiě happily walked through, taking me as a host. That's when Carnage was born, we ripped apart the Dark Spirits and absorbed their power, but also everyone else that was still alive. When I finally regained control, I was surrounded by bodies, then I just…ran. I was terrified at what I just did, and the fact that Xiě was still inside me. So I isolated myself, avoided settlements and people in general, only entering towns when I had no choice, and survived by hunting. But…Xiě isn't the type to just lie down and keep quiet." Naruto replied.
"The killings?" Tenzin asked.
"Feedings. Xiě sustains and empowers himself by devouring blood, the more he has, the stronger he gets. And the longer he goes without drinking any, the harder it is to control him, until he finally breaks free. What you saw at the rally, that was two months of keeping him locked up." Naruto revealed, shocking them both.
"Spirits…how did you survive that long on your own?" Asked Korra, shocked at what she was hearing.
"I'm able to satisfy him for some time, with animal blood, but it's not the same. He says that human blood tastes better, especially when they're terrified. It keeps him down for a while, but he always comes back. So, my advice, when this tag starts failing, and it will, make sure you're far, far away. Because he'll eventually come out, and he'll be hungry and angry." Naruto said, shivering slightly when he thought about the times Xiě got angry.
"Xiě didn't…torture you, did he?" Tenzin asked, frowning, with Korra looking at Naruto, hoping that wasn't the case, only for him to nod.
"Nothing too bad, since he wants to make sure I'm in top condition, when he's in control. At most, he slows my blood to a near crawl, slowing my heartbeat down to the point one would think I was dead." Replied Naruto, while looking at his pale skin, a result of Xiě's punishments.
"Okay, well…what about the fact you can Firebend and Earthbend? How can you do that?" Korra asked, wanting to move on from the dark topic, while wanting to finally get an answer of how he can bend three elements.
"It's one of the abilities I get as Xiě's vessel. I gain the abilities of anyone, who's blood I drain, which in turn grants me the ability to Earthbend and Firebend. With my bending also growing stronger, the more benders I drain." Naruto answered, surprising the two, while Korra had a feeling of dread inside her.
"If you hadn't interfered, Carnage would have drained my blood." Stated Korra, with Naruto nodding in confirmation, while Tenzin's eyes widened in horror at the realization of what would have happened.
While Korra saw how dangerous Carnage was alone, she could just imagine how dangerous he'd be, when empowered by the Avatar State and having all four elements at his control. She could only imagine him tearing his way through everyone and everything, until the entire world was in ruins. All while he grows stronger and stronger, with the more blood he devours.
It definitely didn't paint a pretty picture, with Korra being terrified of such a thing happening.
"Like I said, make sure you're far away, when Carnage comes back." Naruto said, knowing if Carnage absorbed the Avatar's blood, then no one would be safe.
"Any other questions?" Naruto asked, while looking between the two, with them both shaking their heads.
"No, not at the moment." Answered Tenzin.
"And here's a radio you can listen to, while you rest." Korra said, while motioning to the radio on the dresser, before turning it on.
"Tensions continue to rise, in the wake of the revelation with Amon being outed as a Bloodbender-"
"-bending gangs grow increasingly bold-"
"-protestors outside of City Hall-"
"-Equalist remnants claiming Spirits are demons-"
"-bending seen as evil-"
"You know what, who listens to the radio anymore." Korra said, sheepishly, while turning the radio off, after seeing it was only talking about Amon, bending gangs, and remnants of the Equalists, along with basically how bad things were getting in the city right now, after that disaster of a rally.
With Korra unable to resist the urge to facepalm and groan, wondering how a simple mission to save a friend could turn out so badly.
"Sorry. If I hadn't been at the rally, none of this would be happening." Said Naruto, knowing he's partly responsible for what's happening, given if he hadn't come to Republic City, then Carnage wouldn't have come out and exposed Amon as a Bloodbender.
"It doesn't matter. Even if you hadn't been at the rally, then Amon would still be in power and all benders would be in danger, with his ability to take away a person's bending. Perhaps, at least this way, we can contain the oncoming chaos in Republic City, rather than it being spread to the rest of the world." Said Tenzin.
"So, we were basically damned if we do and damned if we don't." Korra deadpanned, seeing that no matter what, they would have been screwed, with the only good thing being that benders were no longer in danger of having their bending taken, unless Carnage kept doing what he did to Amon.
Though the Avatar figured that Carnage cared more about killing, than taking away bending.
Now they could only hope that Tenzin was right, and that they could contain the oncoming chaos before it grows into something worse.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see that Xiě is actually in truth the brother of La, the Ocean Spirit, and brother-in-law of Tui, the Moon Spirit, with Xiě having been transformed into a Dark Spirit after cursing Waterbenders to turn into Bloodbenders on the night of the full moon. Along with how Naruto became Xiě's host and the powers he gains as a result, but also the side effects of keeping Xiě suppressed for too long. We also see how things are falling apart in Republic City with the reveal of Amon being a Bloodbender and Carnage's attack. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
