Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing things building up, with Naruto and Korra getting some serious training done and introducing a few new characters. So, without further ado.
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Luckily, they were able to get a hold of Tenzin and the others, informing them about Azula and Hama being in the Swamp, with both of them searching for the Fountain of Youth. Along with their encounter with Hama, before meeting the Swampbenders and Toph. While the trio learned of what's been happening in Republic City, along with how the Equalists were now calling themselves the Erasers.
Though they were relieved to learn the United Forces were already there, along with Waterbenders from the Northern Tribe. Even better, was when they learned that Tenzin and the others would be on their way to the Swamp, refusing to risk the chance of Azula or Hama getting their hands on the Fountain.
"Well, at least we'll be getting help soon. Katara, Zuko, Ty Lee, Mai, and Jin are also coming, Toph." Said Korra, saying the latter part to the elderly Earthbender.
"Oh goodie, then you brats and the others will just have more old fossils to watch out for." Toph stated, surprising the three, figuring she'd enjoy seeing her old friends again.
"Uh, isn't good they're coming? They'll be able to help us with Hama, Azula, and those soldiers." Said Jinora.
"At most, we'd only get in the way and perhaps deal with that cannon fodder that Azula has. Just because we're powerful benders, doesn't mean we still aren't old and slow now. Just look at what Hama did to you three. If not for Spider Boy there, we'd probably be searching for a new Avatar." Toph said bluntly.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Deadpanned Korra.
"But Gran-Gran was able to defeat Hama during their first encounter. And she and Lord Zuko defeated Azula at the end of the Hundred Year War." Jinora stated.
"Yeah, when Hama was already an old bag and Katara wasn't even in her prime yet. While at that point, Azula was crazier than usual, so of course she wasn't fighting at her best. Now Katara is even older than Hama was, while Azula's now sane again, or as sane as someone like her could be, and they're looking for the one thing that could make them more dangerous than ever." Replied Toph.
"So what, you're saying we should just give up?" Korra demanded, annoyed at how the Earthbender was acting like they've already lost.
"I never said that. Just that me and the rest of the old people coming won't be able to fight them, but you brats may have a chance." Said Toph, while pointing at Naruto and Korra.
"Us? We barely made Hama retreat. How could we beat her and Azula?" Asked Naruto, while raising a brow, only to get annoyed when Toph made a rock drop on his head.
"Well for starters, you can stop moping around. So you've lost, big deal. I've been dealing with her since she showed up here, and you don't see me whining about it." Toph retorted.
"And I thought Chief Beifong was a grouch." Muttered Korra, only to flinch, when she was launched into the ceiling.
"I'm the original Chief Beifong!" Toph said, as Korra picked herself up off the floor, while giving the elder an annoyed look.
"Okay, well what would you have us do?" Said Korra, with Toph walking past them and out the cave, with the three following after her as she did.
"Simple, if you three are so deadest on stopping Crazy One and Crazy Two, then you'll need to get better. And I…I'm getting the chance to knock the Avatar around, again." Toph said with a smirk, surprising the three.
"You're going to teach them Earthbending?" Jinora asked, amazed that Naruto and Korra will get the chance to learn Earthbending from Toph, with the Avatar being excited at the chance to train under Toph.
"That's awesome! What're we gonna do first?!" Asked Korra, eager to see what Toph had to teach them.
"First, show me your stances." Toph said, with Naruto and Korra nodding, before they got into their Earthbending stances.
Then before either of them could react, Toph moved her foot slightly. Resulting in two rock pillars to slamming into their guts, making the two double over, gasping for air.
"Wh-what…was…that…for?" Naruto said, while gasping for air.
"To prove a point! Earthbending is about more than throwing rocks around, if it wasn't, then everyone would be an Earthbender! You need a firm and solid stance, just like a rock, so that nothing can move you. And second, you need to listen to the Earth around you, listen and feel every vibration, know when and where an opponent is going to strike. Otherwise…" Said Toph, before swiping her arm to the side, causing a wave of mud to hit Naruto and Korra, knocking them down.
"…You'll always be caught off guard. Now first lesson, lose the shoes and put these around your eyes." Said Toph, while grabbing two vines and throwing them at Naruto and Korra, with the two catching them, while taking off their shoes.
"Are you gonna teach us Seismic Sensing?" Korra asked.
"Seismic Sensing isn't something you can be taught; you learn it through experience. This way, you'll have to rely on the vibrations you feel in the ground. Since we don't have any time to waste, we need get you brats trained up fast, since you don't have the luxury of having a year or an eclipse." Said Toph, with the two nodding as they wrapped the vines around their eyes.
"Okay, but could you at least give us a war-" Naruto said, only to be interrupted.
"Training starts now!" Toph shouted, before lifting a large rock out of the ground and launching it at Naruto and Korra, slamming into both of them.
"You weren't ready." Stated Toph, as Jinora winced and slowly backed away.
"I'm really glad, I'm not an Earthbender or the Avatar." Jinora muttered, relieved she isn't going to be part of that training.
*Timeskip-Two Days*
Two days have passed, since Naruto and Korra began training under Toph to improve their Earthbending, with both of them initially having some trouble with it. Given how Korra learned Earthbending in the South Pole and wasn't used to using Seismic Sensing to feel the vibrations. While Naruto was only recently getting used to having a style for his Earthbending.
Luckily, both of them were stubborn and refused to back down from the training Toph had them do, allowing to more quickly grasp most of the training. Along with being able to get a good grasp on Seismic Sensing, with how similar it was too listening for heartbeats with Bloodbending. Only having them rely on their sense of touch, rather than their hearing.
Unfortunately, the one part of the training they've made no progress in, was sparring with Toph. With it seeming like the elderly Earthbender wasn't even trying, when facing them, all while tossing them around like ragdolls.
"That was terrible." Korra stated as she and Naruto walked beside Toph and Jinora, while they were covered in mud and bruises.
"Hah! Maybe for you. I had a great time! I never realized how much I missed tormenting the Avatar. Though I wished you put up more of a fight, but it was still fun." Said Toph.
"You were tossing us around like ragdolls, all day." Said Naruto with an annoyed look, while bending the mud off himself, with Korra doing the same.
"I know! And I'm an old lady! Imagine me in my prime! I would have destroyed you!" Said Toph as she laughed, having missed the feeling of knocking around and tormenting students.
Toph laughed for a few more moments, before smirking at the two.
"But I will say this, you're both making good progress, give it a few more years and you might give me a good a challenge." Said Toph, before she felt two sets of footsteps approaching them, making the elder groan in annoyance.
"Oh great, those two are back." Toph muttered, confusing the three, before they spotted two people approaching them.
The two were young men, perhaps in their late twenties, and both couldn't look more different from each other.
With the first looking to be the older of the two, having tanned skin, dark eyes, and long black hair with a center-parted fringe that framed his face. With his attire consisting of red armor made of several metal plates, over a black body suit, and sandals.
And the second and younger of the two, had fair skin, shaggy, silver hair, red eyes, two red markings under his eyes and one on his chin. Wearing the same armor and attire as the first, except he wore blue armor with white fur around the collar.
With even their expressions being different, with the first having a welcoming smile on his face and the second a stern expression and a frown.
"It's an honor to meet you and your friends, Avatar Korra." Said the first one, before they both bowed, confusing the three.
"Uh, nice to meet you both as well. But who are you, exactly?" Korra asked, confused as to who they were.
"Hashirama Senju and his brother, Tobirama Senju. They're the leaders of the Foggy Swamp Tribe. Hashirama's also a pansy that can't take a little criticism and Tobirama has a stick so far up his ass, you can see it whenever he opens his mouth." Said Toph, making the three look at her in surprise, with Tobirama gaining an annoyed look, while Hashirama fell to his hands and knees with a depressed aura around him.
"And I thought we were friends." Hashirama muttered.
"Suck it up you giant baby, you're more of a whiner than Twinkle Toes!" Retorted Toph, having always gotten annoyed by Hashirama's behavior.
"As blunt as she is, Toph is right. We are the leaders of the Foggy Swamp Tribe. We have only just returned from patrolling the Swamp in search of Hama, when we learned of your arrival Avatar Korra." Tobirama said, with Jinora looked at them curiously, before her eyes widened.
"Hey, I remember you both! You came to Air Temple Island, years ago!" Said Jinora as she faintly remembered seeing them when she was really little one time, when they came to Air Temple Island.
"Ohoho, you're Jinora, Tenzin's daughter!" Hashirama said, while standing up and grinning again.
"You've been to Air Temple Island?" Naruto asked, having not expected this, since he had heard that the Foggy Swamp Tribe usually stayed in the Swamp, except for when they left to help during the Day of Black Sun Invasion.
"We have, we've actually traveled all over the Four Nations. We wished to better understand the cultures and lives of the Four Nations. Both to truly understand and connect with them better, and to better ourselves and our tribe." Answered Hashirama.
"Wow, that's pretty cool, and I guess that's why you're both wearing that armor." Korra said, seeing they weren't wearing the typical attire of the Foggy Swamp Tribe.
"Yes. And after learning that you are helping us to find and defeat both Hama and Azula, we wished to teach you our own bending styles to aid you in the fight against them." Said Tobirama, making Naruto and Korra smile gratefully and bow.
"Thank you, it'd be a big help." Replied Naruto, knowing it'll be good to have as much knowledge as they can get, for when they face Hama and Azula, along with the latter's soldiers.
"Yeah, you brats have fun with that, I'm going home. Let's go, Twinkle Girl." Toph said, with Jinora sighing at the unfortunate nickname she's been given but followed after the Earthbender.
"So, what exactly can you guys teach us?" Asked Korra as they followed Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Plantbending for one. It's actually something I've become specialized in, as I've trained myself to be able to bend any form of plant life." Said Hashirama, before stopping and facing a tree as he assumed a stance.
Then to the amazement of Naruto and Korra, the tree began twisting and turning as if it was as malleable as water or vines. Watching as it was soon shaped into a wooden statue of a dragon.
"Woah. I've heard of Plantbending, but I've never heard of it being able to do something like this." Said Korra, looking at the statue in amazement, seeing the fine detail that was put into it.
"Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. After all, people once believed Metalbending was impossible, yet now there's an entire city of Metalbenders and the Metalbending Police Force. All you need is your imagination and the will to push yourself to achieve the impossible." Hashirama said.
"He's right. We can also teach our Swampbending style as well, which I have also combined with the Southern and Northern styles. Giving it the fluid, graceful movements of those styles, while retaining the rigid and straight stance. Also, one thing that I've mastered over the years, is extracting water from the air, even in the middle of the desert, to ensure that I always have a weapon at my disposal." Said Tobirama, before giving a demonstration, as he extracted a large amount of water from the air, using it to slice clean through a nearby boulder.
"Well…when do we start?" Naruto asked, as both he and Korra were feeling excited to learn everything they could teach them.
*Timeskip-Three Days*
Three days have passed, since Naruto and Korra began training under Hashirama and Tobirama, as well as Toph. Now splitting their time between the three different masters, four if you count Korra's training with Jinora. With the two having the easiest time training under Tobirama, given how water is their native element. While also having an easier time training under Hashirama than Toph, though it was still difficult for them to really manipulate the plants and wood, as opposed to just extracting the water from them.
Along with having continued improving on their Earthbending, while Korra and Jinora continued to work on their Airbending together as well. Making them feel more confident for when they next encounter Hama, along with whenever they encounter Azula and her men.
At the moment, it was nighttime with everyone asleep. Except for Jinora, who was currently outside of Toph's cave, practicing with her staff. Something that the girl has been doing without anyone's knowledge, finding that she can't really sleep.
"Jinora?"
Jinora jumped slightly at the sudden voice, before looking to see Naruto looking at her with a concerned frown.
"Oh, Naruto. I didn't see you there, what're you doing?" Jinora asked, as Naruto walked towards her.
"I was out exploring the Swamp, wanting to familiarize myself with the layout. While seeing if I could find any sign of Hama, or Azula and her men. What about you?" Questioned Naruto, looking at the Airbender in concern, as he began taking notice of the dark circles under her eyes and her overall appearance, as if she hasn't been sleeping.
"Just getting some practice done with my staff, so I can be ready." Replied Jinora.
"Jinora, have you been getting any sleep lately?" Naruto asked, while getting the answer when she flinched.
"Hm? Oh yeah, I've been sleeping. I just woke up early and figured I could get some training done before the others get up." Jinora answered, with Naruto sighing, since he didn't even need his abilities to tell she was lying.
"Jinora, two things. One, I can hear your heartbeat and tell you're lying. And two, I can tell just by looking at you, you haven't been getting any sleep. So, you wanna try telling me the truth this time?" Said Naruto, while sitting down on a log, as Jinora flinched again.
"It's about what happened, isn't it." Naruto stated, with the Airbender giving a small nod of confirmation, before she sat down next to Naruto.
"Yes. I…I can't sleep…every time I close my eyes I…I see that Earthbender and me ki-killing him…only it's worse. I actually hit him hard enough, that he's ripped apart by the air, or I forcefully bend the air out of him, it's horrible! Then I'd see my family, all of them looking at me in disappointment, that I'm a disgrace to the Air Nomads, that I'm…that I'm just a killer." Said Jinora as she wrapped her arms around herself as she shook, while recalling her nightmares.
Naruto sighed and wrapped an arm around Jinora, with the girl leaning into him, while feeling a little calmer.
"I understand the feeling. When I first became Xiě's host, I would see everyone he killed, every man, woman, and child. To him, they were just more blood to devour. And I saw it all, the fear, terror, and despair on their faces as Carnage ripped them all apart, the hopelessness that they were going to die. And when I regained control, I'd see their faces every time I closed my eyes, and they'd look at me with anger and hatred. Blaming me for what happened, that all their blood was on my hands. Eventually though, I just became desensitized to it all, that there's nothing I could do to stop them or Carnage. After that, I just stopped caring, all the faces just…faded away. I did what I could to suppress Carnage and stop him from killing more people, but also accepted that he'd always break free and kill more people. I've honestly lost track of how many, at this point." Naruto said, making Jinora flinch and look down, wondering if that's how she's going to end up.
Before she looked up at Naruto, when he squeezed her shoulder and comfortingly, seeing the whiskered blonde smiling at her.
"But you know the different between you and Carnage, Jinora? Carnage enjoys killing, having no regard for the life of who he kills, or the number of people that he kills. Just that he does kill them, while making them suffer as he does. But you Jinora, the fact that you feel guilty over killing one person, an enemy, shows that you are not a monster or a psychotic killer. You only did so on accident, and in order to save your friend. If you feel guilty, then think about Korra and her own family. How do you think they'd feel, to learn that she had died? Would they hate you for killing someone, or thank you for saving their daughter?" Naruto asked, as Jinora thought over it.
"They'd…thank me?" Said Jinora, while sounding unsure about the answer.
"They would, and your family would understand as well. That you put the safety of your friend first. And they could never hate you or be disappointed in you for doing what was right. Only sad that you had to make such a choice at your age. But don't ever think that you are a failure or a disgrace." Naruto said, with the Airbender looking at him with wide eyes, before smiling and hugging him.
"Thank you. And…I don't think you were ever a monster or guilty for what Carnage has done." Said Jinora, surprising Naruto slightly, before he smiled and returned the hug.
"Like I said before, I'm always here if you need anything Jinora. Now you should get some sleep." Naruto said, with Jinora nodding as she pulled back and got up to return to the cave.
Though before she did, Jinora stopped and quickly turned around to give Naruto a peck on the cheek. Being quick enough that Naruto was surprised by her action, not even thinking she actually did it.
"Goodnight Naruto." Said Jinora, before running back to the cave.
Naruto watched as Jinora enter the cave, before shaking his head. Figuring that his mind, or the Swamp, was just playing tricks on him with her last action. With the whiskered blonde heading back into the Swamp to see what he can find.
*Next Day*
"WOOHOO!" Korra cheered as she hung onto Naruto, who was wearing his suit as he swung them through the Swamp.
The Avatar smiling at getting to experience it again, loving the feeling of swinging through the air, along with the different scenery compared to Republic City.
The reason for this, is that Hashirama and Tobirama had gone out on another patrol of the Swamp. While Toph had simply decided she was going to take the day off from training them. Claiming that she was "tired", despite going for a walk around the Swamp, with Jinora joining her.
So, Naruto and Korra decided to use the day to spend some time together, while going on their second date by swinging around the Swamp.
After a while, Naruto flipped up to a tree and landed on a branch, with Korra letting go as they sat down next to each other.
"I can't get over how amazing that feels! I'm so jealous that you can do that, whenever you want!" Korra said, with Naruto smiling at her as his suit receded.
"All you have to do is ask, and we'll do it whenever you want." Replied Naruto, getting a kiss on the cheek from Korra.
"Have I mentioned how happy I am, that we're dating." Stated Korra, smiling widely as they looked forward and admired the scenery.
With Korra soon getting a subdued expression at she was about to ask.
"Hey Naruto…what was your mom like?" Korra asked, with Naruto tensing slightly as he looked at her.
"Why the sudden interest?" Naruto said lowly, making Korra fidget nervously.
"Well…it's just that you never really talk about her, and she's the whole reason you became Xiě's host in the first place. I'm just curious to know what she's like." Korra replied, having been interested to learn more about Naruto's mother and what she was like.
Naruto looked down with a frown, not remembering the last time he even thought of his mother.
"Her name was Kushina. She…she was the most amazing person, I ever knew. Kind, caring, and willing to help anyone who needed it. But she also had a mean temper, never taking any bullshit from anyone, and wasn't opposed to say exactly what's on her mind, not caring what anyone thought. And if anyone didn't like it, she wasn't afraid to punch them right in the face, after covering her fist in ice." Said Naruto, while smiling softly, with Korra smiling as well.
"She sounds amazing and my kind of person." Korra said, with Naruto nodding in agreement.
"Oh, she would have loved you and probably would have pushed us together, if we didn't get together on our own. Mom could be rather…insistent that I find a girl, who isn't afraid to knock some sense into me." Said Naruto, a little embarrassment at that part of his mother's personality, while the Avatar smirked.
"We definitely would have gotten along." Stated Korra, before putting her hand over Naruto's.
"You must have really loved her." Korra said softly.
"Yeah. I've only loved two people unconditionally and she was the first one." Replied Naruto, with Korra frowning a little this.
"Who's the sec-" Said Korra, only to cutoff when Naruto kissed her, surprising her for a second before she began returning it.
"That should be obvious." Naruto said, smiling at her, as Korra looking at him with wide eyes, before smiling.
"I love you too." Said Korra, before another thought entered her mind.
"Hey, what about your da-" Korra said.
"MOVE!" Naruto shouted, suddenly donning his suit again, before grabbing Korra and jumping out of the tree, as not a moment later, a large blast of blue fire impacted the tree.
Once they were on the ground, Naruto and Korra got into stances as they saw eight Firebender soldiers and Azula herself standing before them, with the former princess looking at them with a smirk.
"Well isn't this interesting, the Avatar and Carnage together. How…romantic." Azula said sarcastically.
"Azula, I presume. You're about to wish you stayed hidden." Said Naruto, while moving his foot and moving his hand, before jerking it forward, releasing a tremor at the Firebenders, knocking them off balance
With Korra moving her arms in long circular fashions and extracting water from the air, forming two large water circles. Before she froze them and launched them at the Firebenders, only for Azula to jump up and release a blast of fire. Melting the ice and evaporating the water. With the Firebenders then moving forward and unleashing several blasts of fire at the two, making Naruto and Korra jump out of the way to avoid the flames.
With Naruto shooting out a web and swinging behind the Firebenders, landing in crouch before swinging his leg. Releasing a wave of flames, sending the Firebenders running from the attack. While Korra landed on the ground and stomped on it, launching Azula into the air on an earth pillar. With the former princess shoot fire from her hands and feet, propelling herself up higher, before landing on top of a tree branch.
"You aren't the only one, who can do that." Said Korra, before shooting fire from her hands and feet, propelling herself up towards Azula.
"But I do, do it much better." Azula retorted, smirking as she grabbed hold of the branch and flipped over it, releasing a large blast of fire right towards Korra, who's eyes widened at the sight before she quickly cutoff her fire to drop from the air.
The Avatar caught herself on a waterspout, before launching herself back up at Azula and kicked her out of the tree. With Azula grunting at the hit, before shooting a wave of flames towards the ground to slow her descent, with Korra jumping down after her releasing a blast of flames at her, making Azula jump back.
"Well I'll admit, you're slightly better than the last Avatar I fought. But that's not saying much since he always ran away." Azula said, while smirking again.
"He still took you and your father down, and now I'm gonna finish it." Retorted Korra, before punching forward and launching a large rock at Azula, only for the former princess to thrust her index and middle finger forward, shooting a blast of lightning at the rock, destroying it.
"Funny, I was going to say the same thing. Let's see if you can survive lightning twice!" Azula said, before launching another blast of lighting at Korra, who quickly rolled out of the way.
"Really wish I was taught Lightning Redirection, now." Korra muttered, while rolling out of the way of another bolt of lightning.
"There's the Avatar I know, always running away, rather than facing things head on!" Said Azula, making Korra grit her teeth as she dodged her lightning, before slamming her fist onto the ground, elevating it below Azula's left foot and knocking her off balance.
"How's this for head on!" Korra said, before jumping and spinning in the air, before kicking her leg down and releasing a wave of air at the former princess, throwing her back.
Grunting as she hit a tree, Azula glared at Korra, before she glanced towards Naruto fighting her soldiers and smirked.
"Well I will say this, you certainly aren't the Airbender. But…you both have the exact same weakness!" Said Azula, before shooting out another blast of lightning.
With Korra tensing and was about to dodge it. Only for her eyes to widen, when she saw that Azula wasn't aiming at her, she was aiming at…Naruto!
"Naruto!" Korra shouted to warn him, only for the Avatar to be horrified when Naruto could only look to see the lightning, just as it slammed into his chest.
The whiskered blonde crying out, as he crashed into a tree before hitting the ground. With his suit receding, revealing his unconscious body with a smoking wound on his chest. All while Korra could only look at him in horror, while Azula smirked and blew the smoke from her fingers.
"You'd think you would have learned from last time." Azula taunted, making Korra scowl, before her head snapped towards the former princess, her eyes now glowing white as she entered the Avatar State.
Shouting in anger, Korra slammed her fists on the ground, with Azula actually being surprised when lava erupted from the ground.
"Lavabending?!" Azula exclaimed, shocked to see Korra was now Lavabending, with the Avatar accessing Szeto's knowledge of the bending style.
Waving her arms, Korra launched waves of lava at Azula and her followers, forcing them to jump back. Before they were hit be waves of water as Toph, Jinora, and the Swampbenders arrived, having felt the disturbance going on and heard the fighting.
"Retreat!" Azula ordered as she and her followers unleashed a large wall of flames to cover their escape.
Korra was about to charge after them, only to be stopped by Toph encasing her in rock.
"Enough Korra, worry less about Azula, and more about your boyfriend over there." Toph said, with her words managing to snap Korra out of her anger as her eyes returned to normal, making the elder release her.
Korra immediately rushing over to Naruto, with Jinora already by his side, before immediately bending some water and began healing him. While Toph looked at the lava and raised her hands, before lowering them. Causing the lava to cool and harden, with the Earthbender being glad she picked up Lavabending during her travels.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Jinora asked, worried and fearful, with Korra nodding in relief.
"Yeah, Naruto will be alright. He was wearing his suit which took the brunt of the lightning, along with his own healing. But he'll still have a scar from it." Replied Korra, glad that he would survive, along with swearing to make Azula regret attacking him.
Along with being angry at herself for not expecting Azula to pull something like that, given what she knew about her.
"Korra, it's not your fault." Said Jinora, being able to recognize the look on her face, given she's had the same look since killing the bounty hunter.
"It is my fault! I should have known Azula would try attacking Naruto!" Korra retorted, hating that she had been so focused on dodging Azula's attacks and fighting her, that she hadn't focused on Naruto, thinking he could handle the soldiers.
"No it isn't, no one blames you, and Naruto wouldn't blame you either. If he had seen you about to get hit with lightning, he'd jump in front of you without hesitation. Just like how you'd do the same if you could have. The only one at fault is Azula for attacking him. So no, you aren't at fault and shouldn't blame yourself." Said Jinora, putting a hand on Korra's, making the Avatar look at her before gaining a small smile.
"I really got lucky that you came with us, Jinora." Korra stated, making Jinora smile at her.
"I'm glad that I came too, and that you're safe Korra." Replied Jinora.
"Yes, yes, how sweet that we're all friends. If you two are done flirting, how about we get the new Zuko out of here, before we get anymore unwanted guests." Toph said, making Korra and Jinora blush, with the Airbender quickly pulling her hand away from Korra's.
With the two nodding, before they picked up Naruto and returned to the cave, so Korra could heal him in a safe location.
*Mindscape*
Meanwhile, within Naruto's mind, a large cavern filled with blood, the whiskered blonde stood up to his ankles in blood. While facing Xiě, who's head was rising up from the blood and scowling at Naruto.
"How?! How were you and that girl able to overpower and suppress me?! The talisman was destroyed, I've broken your mind, tortured your body, and yet you still have the power to resist! And yet you still defy me?! What part of you gives you this power?!" Xiě demanded.
The Spirit of Blood was unable to deny that he had been shaken at how Naruto and Korra were able to suppress him. Having felt something he thought he was incapable of feeling.
Fear.
Xiě had felt genuine fear that anyone could have the strength to suppress him, despite the power he's gained from all the blood he's devoured. And yet they were somehow able to do it.
"You still don't get it do you? You always saw me as just a host, or that same stupid kid that chose revenge and let you in. And maybe I am, maybe I'm still that little kid that only wanted revenge. And honestly, I nearly gave up trying to fight you. I started to think that it'd be easier to just give in, rather than fight a pointless battle." Said Naruto, surprising Xiě.
"Then why didn't you?! We could be unstoppable if we worked together!" Said Xiě, with Naruto nodding in agreement.
"Maybe we could be. But you wanna know what changed, what made me believe there was a chance?" Naruto said, with the Dark Spirit looking at him.
"Korra. She believed in me, when even I didn't. Even after she knew what we had done, she still stayed by my side, believing that I deserved a chance. She could have killed me that night, let the Metalbenders take me away, or anything else. But instead, she took in a complete stranger, not knowing what I would have done, all just to help me. Korra is what gives me strength, and as long as I'm alive, I will never let you or anyone else hurt her. Even if I have to bury myself deep into the ground to keep you buried with me. I'll do it if it means keeping her safe." Naruto said, as Xiě looked at him in disbelief.
"And you wanna know something else? Despite everything you've done, how you've tormented me, I never once regretted becoming your host. Because it gave me the power I needed for my revenge. And now we're stuck with each other for possibly eternity, always fighting for control. Because I will never give up as long as Korra is there, with me." Said Naruto, before he began fading away from the mindscape.
While Xiě's body began forming as he stood there with wide eyes, before falling back and sitting down. The Dark Spirit looking down at his reflection, having nothing to do but ponder Naruto's words.
*Real World*
When Naruto opened his eyes, he groaned at the aching pain in his chest, something he wasn't used to. Not even remembering the last time he felt actual pain, not caused by Carnage.
Though he then grunted, when he was suddenly hugged tightly, looking to see Korra and Jinora were the ones. With the Avatar then pulling him into a kiss, relieved at seeing him awake and alright.
"I'm glad you're alright." Korra said after pulling back, with Naruto smiling at her.
"I'm glad you're alright too." Replied Naruto, glad to see Korra wasn't hurt from the fight with Azula.
Naruto was then surprised, when Jinora leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"I was really worried, but I'm happy to see you're fine." Said Jinora, before looking at Korra nervously, but was relieved when she saw her smiling at her.
"You know, it's times like these I'm really glad that I'm blind. Keeps me from seeing sickeningly adorable moments, like this." Toph stated, making the three blush at hearing her.
"Do you always have to do that?" Asked Korra, as Toph smirked and knock on her head.
"You should by now Twinkle Toes, I'm the master of it." Said Toph, with Korra groaning in annoyance that she's now stuck with that nickname.
*Timeskip-One Day*
Not long after Naruto woke up, he and Korra had resumed their training, their fight with Azula showing them that they couldn't afford to slack off and needed to train as much as they could. With them now trying to learn Lightningbending, after seeing Azula use it, and knew they couldn't risk getting caught off guard by it again.
Unfortunately, they weren't making much progress in learning it, given they have no prior knowledge of how to perform it. With Korra's teachers not knowing how to do it and Naruto not having drained any Firebenders who had knowledge of it. So, they were self-teaching themselves how to create lightning, and learning it wasn't as easy as it looks.
Though one thing they had accidently discovered, was something they've been calling Smokebending. Having learned it by accident, while they were practicing their Firebending, before slipping into Airbending forms. Resulting in them creating smoke as opposed to flames, or air in Korra's case. Finding it would be a good means of covering a retreat or get the drop on enemies, along with removing the smoke enemies would make to escape as well.
Now though, the trio and Toph were standing outside as they got a call from Tenzin, saying they'd be arriving any moment now. They would have arrived sooner, but they had made some stops along the way, to see what information they could gather on the Fountain of Youth.
With it not being long before they saw Oogi and Druk, Zuko's dragon, descending from the sky. With Tenzin, Katara, Ty Lee, and the rest of the Krew getting off Oogi, while Zuko, Mai, and Jin got off Druk.
"Dad! Gran-Gran!" Jinora said, unable to contain herself and rushed forward, hugging her father and grandmother, which they happily returned.
"Jinora, it's so good to see you again." Said Tenzin, relieved to see his daughter again and that she was safe.
"You've grown Jinora, I can see it in your eyes." Katara said, smiling at her granddaughter, seeing that she's matured and grown during her time with Naruto and Korra.
"Y-yeah…you could say that. Gran-Gran, could I talk to dad, alone please." Jinora said nervously, making them worried of what she wanted to talk about, with Katara nodding before going to greet Toph with the other original Team Avatar members.
"What did you want to talk about Jinora?" Tenzin asked, worried as Jinora fidgeted nervously.
"D-dad, s-so-something happened…b-be-before we arrived at the Swamp…" Said Jinora, before telling him about the encounter with the bounty hunters, including how she killed one.
"I-I sw-swear, I-I-I d-d-di-didn't m-me-mean t-t-to! I-I ju-ju-just wa-wanted t-to pr-protect K-Korra!" Jinora said, with tears in her eyes, expecting her father to be disappointed in her, only to be surprised when Tenzin pulled her into a hug.
"Jinora, I'm not angry or disappointed, I could never be when you didn't mean for it to happen and did so to protect Korra. Despite the Air Nomads pacifistic ideals, there have been times they needed to resort to violence and killing, outside of the ones who were Avatar. Such as during the Hundred Year War, when the Fire Nation arrived, the Air Nomads had to fight back to save themselves and kill their attackers. With one such Airbender being Monk Gyatso, the monk who raised and befriended my father. He had died, but not before taking down several Firebenders as well. So, don't think I'll be angry or disappointed, Jinora. And I know your mother and siblings will feel the same." Said Tenzin, smiling at his daughter, while tears fell from Jinora's eyes before she hugged her father, relieved that he wasn't disappointed in her.
Meanwhile Mako, Bolin, and Asami went over to Naruto and Korra. With the whiskered blonde having a neutral expression, given he wasn't sure how they'd react to knowing the truth. Only for Bolin to run up to them with wide excited eyes.
"Oh my gosh guys, I can't believe it! We met Ty Lee, Katara, Lord Zuko, Lady Mai, Lady Jin, and now we're seeing Toph, herself, in person! Nearly the entire original Team Avatar, all in place!" Bolin said with a squeak at the end, unable to contain his excitement at seeing all the living members of Team Avatar together again.
"Uh Bolin, you do know about Carnage, don't you." Stated Naruto with a raised brow, wondering why they weren't being wary of him.
"Huh, oh yeah, you have a Spirit inside you, that's pretty cool. But look, it's Toph!" Whispered Bolin, while looking at his idol in awe.
"What Bolin means is, you're still Naruto to us, just with a few changes. Like being a new Avatar, in a sense." Mako said, while smirking, which Korra took offense to.
"Hey, real Avatar right here, people. Master of all four elements, while he only has three." Said Korra, while crossing her arms.
"Don't worry Korra, you're still our favorite Avatar." Asami said, smirking, while Naruto looked at them in surprise that they were fine with knowing about Carnage.
"So…you got any cool powers?" Bolin asked, pulling Naruto from his surprise.
"A few but watch this." Replied Naruto, before his suit appeared around him, surprising the three.
"Oh my gosh, that is so cool! You're like a spider…ninja…guy!" Bolin said, looking at the suit in amazement, while Asami examined it in intrigue.
"This is really something. And it's made entirely of blood?" Asami asked, while examining the suit, to see how well it mimicked fabric in appearance and texture.
"Yeah, I could also change it if I wanted to, to look like something else." Answered Naruto.
"Interesting. And what about being able to assimilate things into it?" Asked Asami, with her inner-inventor coming out at the possibilities of such a suit.
Though their attention turned to Jinora, who walked up to them, after she finished talking with her father.
"Asami, I was wondering if you might be able to turn this into an Airbender Glider?" Jinora asked, holding out her staff, having grown attached to it and hoped it could be converted into a new glider, with Asami grabbing the staff and looking it over.
"I'd need to get a look at a glider first, but it should be easy enough to turn this into a glider. Maybe with a few upgrades." Said Asami, while muttering the last part to herself, thinking of some upgrades she could include in the glider, besides the fans.
While Tenzin joined Katara, Zuko, Ty Lee, Mai, and Jin over by Toph.
"Toph, it's good to see you again and in good health as well." Tenzin said, while bowing to the Earthbender.
"Yeah, yeah, just stop with the bowing. Honestly, at least Twinkle Toes knew how to have fun, but I guess that all went to your brother and sister. Leaving the boring and serious parts for you, Twinkle Toes Jr." Said Toph, smirking, while Tenzin's face turned red in embarrassment, even more so when the other started laughing.
"Mother, please." Tenzin pleaded, as Katara smiled at patted him on the back.
"You have always been rather serious, Tenzin." Said Katara, making the Airbender groan, before Toph looked at Zuko and her smirk widened.
"Zuko, it's been over seventy years." Toph stated, confusing the former Fire Lord.
"It hasn't been seventy years, since we last saw each other." Said Zuko, as Toph laughed.
"Oh no, not that. It's been over seventy fucking years! And we're finally doing it!" Said Toph, grinning, making Mai and Jin narrow their eyes.
"You wanna repeat that?" Mai demanded, while fingering her knives, before she glared at Zuko when he sighed in resignation, as he soon realized what Toph meant.
"I knew this day would come." Zuko said.
"You knew Zuko and didn't tell us?!" Said Jin, narrowing her eyes at her husband, not seeing that Katara and Ty Lee were trying to suppress their laughter at knowing what they really meant.
"YES! I'm final getting my life-changing field trip!" Declared Toph, laughing loudly, making Mai and Jin blink slowly in confusion.
"…Huh?" Jin said, now confused at what they meant.
"When Zuko first joined us, he went on trips with Aang, Sokka, and myself. That gave us life-changing experiences and helped us come to fully trust him. Toph was always upset that she never got one." Explained Katara, while laughing lightly.
"Yeah, like the trip we had to the beach. Remember Mai?" Ty Lee said, while grinning.
"Oh yeah." Muttered Mai, remembering that, and how it was pretty life-changing.
"Huh, well that's rude of you, Zuko. Making her wait over seventy years for her life-changing field trip." Jin said, not upset about not getting one, since their first date could count as one, especially after she learned who he really was and how he lit all the lanterns that night.
Zuko could only sigh, as he wondered how he became everyone's therapist and advisor for their problems.
*With Hama*
Meanwhile, deep within the Swamp, Hama was surrounded by several of Azula's soldiers, all dead at her feet except one. With her currently interrogating the living one, on the location of the Fountain of Youth. Not noticing how one soldier escaped the fighting and hid. With them immediately retreating to tell Azula what's happened, and that Hama now knew where the fountain is as well. The soldiers having managed to finally locate the fountain and knew Azula needed to know before Hama reached it.
The soldier completely unaware of the battle that will soon happen, and the consequences of it.
So, what did you think, good. Yep Naruto and Korra have begun training under Toph to really learn how to Earthbend, along with meeting the leaders of the Foggy Swamp Tribe, Hashirama and Tobirama, and begin training under them as well in their own unique bending styles. Next we see Naruto comforting Jinora with her first kill, telling her about his own trauma with how many people Carnage has killed, along with reassuring her that she shouldn't blame herself. Then we see Naruto and Korra going on their second date swinging around the Swamp with Naruto telling Korra about his mother, before they're attacked by Azula and her men, leading to Naruto getting hit with lightning and Korra going into the Avatar State. Only coming out of it after Toph, Jinora, and the Swampbenders arrive, with Korra and Jinora also getting closer as well. We also see Naruto and Xiě speaking in the formers mind, with Naruto leaving Xiě with some words to ponder over. Next we see everyone finally arriving with several reunions, with Toph excited that she'll finally be getting her life-changing field trip with Zuko. And finally we see Hama had an encounter with Azula's soldiers who managed to locate the fountain, with it now being a race to see who will reach it first. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
