Earth
Fire
Air
Water
Only the Dual Avatars master of all four elements can bring balance to the world.
Book III: Change
Chapter VIII: Venom of the Red Lotus
Wan couldn't believe it. He pulls on his chains, trying everything he can to escape. Korra screams at the Red Lotus members, specifically Zaheer. "When we get out of here, none of you will survive!" Wan is now shirtless and without shoes. Korra is without her armbands and her boots only leaving her pants and shirt. Wan glares at the man, "I will ruin you Zaheer! Mark my words."
"You won't. Unless The Metal Clan taught you both a way to bend platinum." Zaheer taunts as two metal benders bend the metallic poison out of the two bowls, holding it over. Zaheer starts his explanation, "Once we administer this poison, your bodies will naturally react, forcing you into the Avatar State in an effort to keep both of you alive. Sadly, you'll be entering it for the last time."
Wan stomach drops to the floor, he turns his head to Korra, who as expected has the same terror-struck expression.
"No, The Avatar Cycle!" Their voices are trembling. Wan closes his eyes shut hoping this was some type of bad dream that he could wake up from. Unfortunately, this is a nightmare he cannot escape.
"Yes. When we kill both of you in the Avatar State, the cycle will end. So we lucky few, this band of brothers and sisters in anarchy, are witnessing the beginning of an era of true freedom. Together we will forge a world without Leaders, without borders or nations, where a man's only allegiance is to himself and those he loves. We will return to the true balance of natural order. And though the cycle will end and no new avatar will be reborn, your names will echo throughout history."
"Korra and Wan, The Last Avatars"
Jinora, spirit projecting and hiding behind a small rock, eyes widened with shock and horror of what Zaheer is about to do, however, she quickly comes to a decision. Her eyes narrow with determination as she returns to her body.
Wan pulls on his chains, refusing that this would be the end of him. He would defy it. He must defy it. He glances at Zaheer, making his voice loud and clear. "I won't let that happen, we'll fight the poison as long as we can!"
Zaheer simply smirks at this, "But for how long?" He turns to the two men who held the poison via bending. But is stopped by a soft pleading voice."No, please let Wan live! Let me take the poison" Korra pleads with the man, Wan glances at Korra in horror of what she just said. "No! Zaheer I will take the poison, please don't let Korra suffer. Not like this!" Zaheer simply closes his eyes as the dual avatars' effort to save each other is futile. He ignores their pleads.
"Administer the poison."
As he walks away, the benders behind him move the poison in the air before sending it off. The poison splits into eight globs. Four for both Wan and Korra, going on all of their limbs, the poison latches on to their skin, the benders clench their fists, forcing the poison inside them. Wan gasps in agony, screaming so loud heaven and earth could hear his pain. Korra cries out in agony as well, as her eyes shoot open. The poison completely makes it inside their bodies. Wan fists clenched as he turns over to see Korra arching her back as her eyes begin to flash between the Avatar state and her natural blue. Wan feels the same effect as well, between the Avatar state and his normal copper.
"Get ready. As soon as they're both in the Avatar State, kill them." Zaheer orders. Ming-Hua bends the tips of her water arms into sharp ice, while Ghazan bends the floor beneath the avatar duo, melting it into lava. Korra and Wan continue resisting the poison, entering and exiting the Avatar State.
"Why aren't they staying in the Avatar State?" Ghazan asks Zaheer, whose eyes narrow.
"Give it time. They can't resist for long."
Wan screams as he fights Raava's power, beads of sweat run down his naked back and his forehead. He violently arches his back, hollering as he feels the poison starting to ravage both his mind and body. His mouth begins to dry and his lips begin to chap. But this was not the worst part, that is... Korra.
Her consistent screams of pure agony and torment that she is feeling. Wan though in the same predicament as she didn't make him feel better, it is his worst nightmare. He had to hear her suffer and couldn't help her. He is helpless and he couldn't save her or take the pain away. The poison burns throughout his body, he couldn't even look at her. He couldn't bear to see her like this, it is too much for his dying soul.
Korra trembles as she turns away hearing Wan's cries of pain, her heart cracks more and more as his screams and cries become mixed in with hers. She could tell that the poison is slowly winning, slowly killing them. Every Avatar State activation becomes numb to her as she pushes it back screaming and thrashing left and right. Hearing Wan in the background makes her cry out in anger as the Red Lotus watches their downfall.
A small whimper escapes Wan's mouth, he wants to speak, he wants her to know. But no energy could be wasted as the poison continues to make him suffer. Korra tries everything in her power to resist but as she fights, her mind grows weak, her vision blurs, her eyes flicker once more as she tiredly lets her body slump.
"It's working….They're growing weaker." Zaheer states watching without mercy for them, not caring that two people are dying in extreme torment. All he sees are just Avatars, an old regime that must end.
However, not the people behind the title. He doesn't care for Wan's second chance of life, a blessing that is being stripped away. He doesn't care that Korra is only eighteen and just began to see the world. He does not see or rather ignores how much horror and heartache the duo is feeling hearing one another cry in agony.
He sees them as necessary sacrifices at the altar of anarchy.
"Weak."
Wan is startled, his eyes scan the cave then he finds Vaatu, right in front of him. "You failed." The spirit laughs as they circle Wan. "Not like other humans, hum? Look at you! Dying, just like in your last lifetime, an absolute failure. You will never fulfill your life goal. There is no use fighting Wan, I have grown stronger and stronger. Let go."
Wan trembles as he cries out, in tormenting insanity, as the same two words are drilled into his mind and soul…
"Let go"
Ms. nami is now chained to the floor like the rest of the airbenders, her silver gaze on the floor. Daw leans on her, sympathetically saying, "You okay?" The former librarian closes her eyes as small tears roll down her cheeks. "This is my doing...Wan was captured because of me..." she sobs as guilt floods her very heart. "Ms. nami" The teenager calls for her, she glances over to see the girl. "This isn't your fault, it's none of ours."
The bald man smiles, even in chains they comforted one another, "Misako is right, none of this is your doing" closes her eyes as she leans on Daw feeling the newly shaved airbender heartbeat. She hears Iikki claiming she's thirsty, and Pema pleading, "Sir, please. We just ask for some water. There are children and a baby here."
The sentry glances at his partner, who shrugs, before he brings the water to the airbenders. Jinora airbends at the sentry, covering his face with his robes, which causes the keys to fall off. Meelo airbends, throwing the keys to Opal, who catches and hides it out of view in between her thighs with her hands. Once the man settles his robes and looks at the young Airbender girl, "Oh, so you just called me over to attack me? Fine! Now nobody gets any water." He selfishly drinks the water from the skin and walks out. Bitterly saying, "I don't know how we ended up in daycare while everyone else gets to watch the Dual Avatars being destroyed. I can hold a bowl of poison!"
Ms. nami watches as Opal begins to unlock herself but not before someone notices, "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" the Red Lotus sentry yells but he is quickly hit by a rock. Dual Team Avatar attacks, The other sentries bends two rocks at the team, Suyin quickly acts and protects them by a bent wall. Asami leaps over the wall and stuns the sentry with her electric glove
"Mom!" Opal cries out as Su hugs her daughter, "Oh, honey, I'm so glad you're safe." Bolin joins in the hug with her mother. Ms. Nami is freed by Asami, she nods solemnly. Asami goes to free the remaining airbenders. Lin supports Bumi, while Kya is supported by two other air benders. After Asami frees Jinora, Kai is standing behind her. The girl gasps and hugs Kai, "You're alive! I can't believe it."
Kai blushes a bit, "Why? Just because I was blown out of the sky, and fell hundreds of feet down a cliff? Don't you know it takes more than that to get rid of me?" Jinora nudges him on the shoulder.
"You guys get everyone out of here. I'll search for Korra and Wan." Tonraq says Mako and Bolin chime in with "Me too"
"You don't have to search for them. I know exactly where they're being held." Jinora says looking up at the three men.
Wan and Korra scream nonstop as the pain starts to become overwhelming, their eyes flash more and more. Wan couldn't fight the poison and neither could Korra. His copper eyes filled with rage and terror as it blinks on and off. He sees Zaheer, he sees all the destruction and pain he has caused for a stupid philosophy. Something builds deep inside him, unlike anything he has ever felt. One thought crosses his mind, so twisted and dark.
Yet so satisfying.
KILL HIM, MAKE HIS FOLLOWERS SUFFER. KILL THEM ALL.
Rage fills his every limb, even though he is in complete anguish, He could feel his adrenaline pumping through him, He knows he and Korra can't fight for long, but they do anyway. A soft thought fills his mind, Korra. He clenches his mind as his rage-filled mind has a temporary feeling other than animosity and an undying rage, he thought of the people he loved...Who he cherished most.
I'm sorry, everyone. Wan whispers in his thoughts before pure blood lust takes over his soul. Finally both Wan and Korra went into the Avatar State, the poison overcame them. "Now, Kill the Dual Avatars!" Zaheer commands.
Ming-Hua and Ghazan. Ming-Hua attacks with ice shards to the dual Avatars, Wan unleashes a breath of fire so powerful that it almost consumes her, Ming-Hua moves out of the way, but not before Korra pulls the chain on her right arm. Bringing a chuck of the earth with her and slamming it to her knocking her completely out. Wan pulls on his left arm grunting, snapping the chain in the middle. While Wan and Korra rap their chains off their arms, Ghazan erupts lava towards the duo. Korra with her free arm blasts the lava back by air. Ghazan eyes widen as he quickly dodges the lava coming towards him. The Dual Avatars snap the chains on their legs. With the last chain they had left, they propel themselves and snap them off.
They land in front of Zaheer, who jumps back as other red lotus members flee in fear of the Avatars' wrath. Zaheer's eyes widened as he sees with his very eyes, their pure white eyes with a thirst for blood.
A thirst for his blood.
Tonraq, Mako, and Bolin rush into the opening of the cave to see the Dual Avatars unleashing their power. "Korra! Wan!" Tonraq calls out. Zaheer decides to give them a chase as he flies mid-air, thinking that they could never catch up. Korra uses propels fire from her feet and Wan uses his air cloud and gives speeds unlike anything they saw.
Zaheer flies out of the cave as he is being chased by the dual Avatars. Zaheer turns in shock to see Wan right behind him, trailing on the man. Korra wasn't too far behind but not as close as Wan. Zaheer tries to blast away Wan but it proves worthless. Zaheer tries his best to flee, Korra lunges boulders at the man. Zaheer dodges, Wan catches him but Zaheer flings Wan.
Wan hits a nearby rock peak. Korra attacks with all her furry, she breathes a mouth full of fire at Zaheer.
Zaheer tries to dodge but is hit, the fire burns his whole arm. Zaheer grunts in pain, but he keeps moving. Trying to avoid both Wan and Korra, but also tiring them out.
Tenzin looks up, watching the fight in front of him, as he holds on to his side. The airbenders and Dual Team Avatar rush out, Tenzin is greeted by his family who gives him a hug, "Dad!"
"I'm so glad you're all okay" he smiles, the airbenders help the rest of Aang's children up. Tonraq also runs out of the cave to see the fight above him. "We have to help them!"
Wan charges slamming two pillars towards Zaheer, who dodges the attack. Korra follows up with two boulders. The flying airbender while also ignoring his injury, tries his damnest to not get crushed by the dual Avatars who charge at him with wrath. His main priority is to weaken them enough to where the poison can do its work. Korra lands atop a pool of water and directs whips toward Zaheer. He manages to dodge all the attacks but is struck on the right leg. Forcing him to lose altitude. Wan uses this to his advantage and slams Zaheer but Wan screams in pain as he grabs his arm, crashing as his cloud dissipates. Zaheer throws him to the side, and with quick direct hits he smashes the ice on his leg and flies back to Korra, who attempts to breathe fire but is stopped by the poison.
Zaheer smiles as his plan is working, "You can't fight me and the poison!"
Little did he know, Wan is approaching him at high speeds with his cloud. He grabs Zaheer in a chokehold before he could even realize it. He flings Zaheer to the pillar, hard. Zaheer gasps as pain radiates through him of a few ribs cracked. Wan goes for the kill but the poison acts up once more as that is his saving grace. Zaheer gets back up, groaning from the pain and begins to fly, toying with the dual Avatars.
Meanwhile, everyone on the ground looks at the ongoing battle, "Maybe I can get on my bison to help." Kai suggests, Lin shakes her head, "You'd never be able to keep up with Zaheer. He's too powerful." Ms. Nami clenches her fists, as she screams "We must do something, Anything!" She gestures out, "They need our help!"
Bumi weakly turns to his brother, "How can he fly like that?" Tenzin looks up, "He's unlocked powers of airbending that haven't existed for thousands of years." Jinora glances at the group and back at her father, "There haven't been this many airbenders in one place for a long time either. We have power together. " She stands and addresses the airbenders, "Hurry, everyone form a circle! Follow me." The airbenders follow her and get into a circle. Jinora stands in the center and creates a small vortex that grows larger, while the airbenders around add more power with their bending, making it larger.
Zaheer with enough strength that he has, pushing through his injuries, zooms past Wan and Korra, trying to knock them out. Zaheer watches floating mid-air, Wan and Korra are next to each other groaning.
"The poison has done it's work. Soon, the era of the Avatar will end momentarily."
Wan observes as Korra is pulled up by Zaheer's bending with glowing eyes as air from her lungs is being pulled out creating a spherical void around her head, suffocating her. Wan still being in the avatar state faces helplessly twisted in horror, he tries to attack but he is losing to the poison. Small tears roll from his eyes, Zaheer smiles malevolently. Out of nowhere he feels a gust of wind, he turns and sees an enormous vortex approaching him. At the surface Mako and Bolin exit the cave, both having defeated Ming-Hua and Gahzan. They shield themselves from the gust, where they see the airbenders adding more power to the vortex and in the middle in Jinora guiding it.
As Korra is freed from Zaheer's suffocation, she tumbles over. Wan finds the strength in himself in that moment, he struggles to get up, overcoming the poison just enough to stand up. Zaheer flies out to grab Korra but before he escapes with her, Zaheer gasps as he feels a hard grip on his leg. Zaheer tries to get away from Wan's grasp, but his hand is firm and unwilling. They are all being sucked in by the vortex, Zaheer tries to pull Wan off of him and escape, but fails. He throws Korra, but only to be caught by her chain as it catches him by the left ankle.
Wan with all his might and pure rage, with the strength of a thousand Komodo rhinos. He crushes Zaheer's right leg to the point of his bone in his leg crack and snaps, to the point of no return for the bones to heal, even with the best of healers. Zaheer hollers in pain, his screams vibrate in the sky. Wan throws him away, Korra smashes him to the ground.
The airbenders stop adding to the vortex, letting it dissipate
Zaheer is apprehended by an earth shell created by Su, only leaving his head open. He cries out, still in agony . Wan pants angrily then his eyes widen in agony as he and Korra succumb to the poison. Jinora and Ms. Nami run up to the dual Avatars while the other airbenders look on with worry. Tonraq, Mako, Bolin, Asami and the weakened Tenzin run up to them.
Tenzin weakly takes up Wan's side holding him close on his chest, "Wan, Wan. It's me Tenzin, look at me, don't give up" Tenzin says with tears in his eyes, holds his hand as Wan glances at both of them. His hand reaches out to , touching her cheek. His eyes widen and then he collapses. stares in shock, as the thought of Wan's death finally forces itself upfront.
"Wan, Darling?" Ms. Nami eyes water, Tenzin chokes on tears spilled from his eyes.
No response.
A loud agonizing piercing cry shakes the world. Ms. Nami sobs on Wan's bare chest. At the same time in Tonraq's arms, he cries as Korra faints as well. Zaheer despite the great pain he is in laughs, Lin glares at him, "What's so funny?"
He laughs in mania, "You're too late! The poison has been in their systems for too long. The Red Lotus has won!"
Jinora steps up looking at the Bafong sisters, "You can save them, The poison is metallic!" Lin and Su glance at each other and rush to the dual Avatars aid. Lin's hand rests on Wan's forehead, focusing on the metal within him, she quickly finds it. gets up and covers her mouth, still sobbing. The police chief and her sister bends the metal out of the Dual Avatars body. Wan and Korra's eyes snap open glowing white as the poison comes out of their mouths, Wan gasps as his eyes return to their normal copper. Korra coughs as her eyes return back to normal. Su and Lin toss aside the poison.
Wan groans as he turns to the two airbenders beside him, he greets them with a soft smile. kisses Wan's forehead softly, with a breath of relief.
Korra's head weakly turns to her father as he holds her, a small smile on her face. "Dad you're alive..." Her voice hoarse, she looks over to see Wan being held by Tenzin, also alive. Tonraq holds Korra in a tight embrace, "I'm here sweetheart"
Ms. Nami smiles at Wan, softly stroking his cheek, then turns at Zaheer. who screams in outrage as his plan failed, his sacrifice was for nothing . She stands up, whipping her stray tears and marches towards Zaheer, completely enraged. "No! No! You don't understand! The revolution has already begun. Chaos is the natural order of-" The woman punches Zaheer dead in the nose and adds another one to the cheek. "Shut your mouth! Bolin, your sock." demands, Bolin quickly takes off his sock, "yes mam"
The Airbender shoves the sock down Zaheer's mouth. Zaheer screams under his makeshift gag. takes a few deep breaths trying to calm herself. "You deserve eternal suffering for what you have done today." says eerily calm, "You're lucky that I am an airbender and had to take an oath for no violence. If this wasn't the case, well that the spirits help me."
Wan closes his eyes fainting once again from exhaustion.
A few weeks have passed, on the Air Temple Island Ms. Nami pulls Wan's hair back arranging it into a traditional fire nation bun. She takes a small golden pin and places it on his hair bun, "There, a perfect fire nation bun for a ceremony."
She takes a mirror and passes it to Wan, he looks up seeing himself, though in his formal appearance, he looks miserable. He has black circles under his eyes and is paler than usual. His once vibrant eyes are now dulled. "It's nice...thanks," He says completely tired. places the mirror down and holds his hand as she kneels next to him in his wheelchair. "Wan, darling. No one is expecting you to heal right away, this will take time." Wan says nothing, staring emotionlessly into the distance. "I know it's difficult , and I know you want to do much more. You're going to get better. I promise you will be a butterfly coming out of its cocoon, beautiful and strong."
Ms. Nami strokes his cheek motherly, "Let's enjoy this, for Jinora." Wan breaths in as he looks down. "Let's go." nods as she wheels Wan out of the room and into the courtyard, He looks at Korra who is just as broken as him, they both had lost feeling in their legs. "Hay..." Wan says to her, she turns to him, having a small sad smile.
"Hay." The airbenders besides are entering a building up a flight of stairs. Asami and Ms. Nami wheel Korra and Wan in front of a crowd, Lord Zuko bows to them. The duo nods back. Korra's mother runs forward to hug her, Tonraq kisses his daughter's forehead.
Wan in shock feels Senna's hug him as well and he pats her back. Raiko approaches the Dual Avatars, "I would like to officially welcome you both back to Republic City." Ruiko starts, "I know we didn't leave on the best of terms but I would like to thank you both for stopping those red lotus terrorists." Wan glances at Korra, though weakened and tired, he has an irritated look but he nods in response. Ikki rushes up to Wan's side, "I want to help" Wan warmly smiles at this. Meelo then sits on Korra's lap "I want to sit on Korra's lap, Jinora is already inside, it smells like shoe trees" Wan and Korra we're wheeled though. "Sandalwood, Meelo" Ikki corrects.
Lin earth bends a section of her hands going on both Wan and Korra's shoulders, "Hang on kiddos" Lin moves the group up. "They aren't looking good," Ruiko says, "Neither would you if you went through what they have," Tonraq retorts, "They'll be fine, they just need time to heal." Tenzin reassures as he closes his eyes."The poison took a great toll on both of their bodies"
"Of course, I'm just saying that the Earth Kingdom is in chaos since the fall of the Earth Queen." Raiko mentions, "And even with Zaheer locked up again, we don't know how many Red Lotus members are out there" Zuko adds.
"Exactly, The world needs The Dual Avatars more than ever but who will protect us while they are in a wheelchair?"
Tenzin ponders for a moment. Then an idea came up.
In the ceremonial hall, Ms. Nami, Kai, Daw, and other airbenders stand on the stage, incense sticks are burning. Air Acolytes and guests are seated, witnessing the ceremony. Jinora is in the middle of the stage, wearing a yellow hood. "Jinora, come forward," Tenzin says, Jinora bows and walks forward before kneeling.
"Today, we welcome the first airbending master in a generation. And I couldn't be more proud of my daughter. When the existence of our people was threatened, when the Dual Avatars lives hung in the balance, Jinora never gave up hope. Thanks to her leadership, I see a very bright future for the Air Nation. Of course, there would be no Air Nation without Avatar Wan and Avatar Korra: they reopened the portals and somehow the world began anew for us. And they were even willing to lay down their own life in order to protect ours. There's no way we can ever repay them for all they've done. But we can follow their example of service and sacrifice. So while they recuperate, the Air Nation will reclaim its nomadic roots and roam the earth. But unlike our ancestors, we will serve people of all nations, working wherever there is corruption and discord to restore balance and peace. Dual Avatars Wan and Korra, I vow that we will do everything in our power to follow in your footsteps and bring harmony to the world." Tenzin bows to Korra and Wan who nods back with a small smile. "Now, let us anoint the master who will help lead us in our new path." Tenzin pulls down Jinora hood, revealing bald head with her new tattoos.
Jinora removes the coat and stands up. The air benders bend the smoke from the incense, bending it to sounding the wind chimes around the hall. Jinora hugs her father. The crowd around them claps.
Wan watches completely numb except for small tears running down his cheek. In a way, Zaheer won.
He had broken him and Korra.
She had a difficult job ahead of her, she looked at the map of the earth kingdom. She needed to fix it, The Dual Avatars are recuperating, Suyin won't step up to do the job, actually, no one would. So all that was left was her… She needed to unite her people, she needed to restore balance to the earth kingdom.
Kuvira places the first puzzle piece where she would restore order to her country, Ba Sing Se.
End of Book III
