Earth

Fire

Air

Water

Only the Dual Avatars master of all four elements can bring balance to the world.

Book IV: Balance

Chapter VII: Beyond the Wilds

Wan walks around the spirit wilds. Along with him are Korra, Opal, and Jinora. "Are you sure you felt a disturbance? Maybe you just had some rotten food for breakfast," Opal says. Jinora turns to Opal with a worried expression. "I'm telling you. I felt it. Maybe something happened to Ryu's tour group. We should've run into them by now."

"Yeah, but it's Ryu. They might be at the mall for all we know." Korra shrugs, Jinora leans her head, "Korra, can't you feel how strange the energy is?" Korra turns away, "No…" Wan sighs, "I haven't felt anything spiritual in a while," Wan admits.

"Maybe I can get a reading." Korra lands her palm on the vine as she closes her eyes. Wan joins in. with their touch, the vine glowed blue and orange. The Duo sees Kuvira's mecha tanks standing on the roots of Banyan Tree Grove. While the vines attack the mecha tanks cut the vines and collect them. Wan and Korra gasp as they pull themselves away. "What is it? Are you okay?" Opal says.

Wan pants in fear, then he breathes in, "She's taking vines from the swamp, it might affect our spirit wilds. That's what you were sensing, Jinora, and whatever reason she's getting them... I doubt it would be benefiting the world." Wan finishes. "We have to tell Raiko. This might help him convince the other leaders to finally take her down." Opal argues, Wan nods, agreeing with the Beifong. "I'll keep looking for Ryu and the others," Jinora says while flying off. The trio goes to City Hall.

Once there, Wan barges in beside him are Korra and Opal, "President Raiko, I'm sorry to interrupt, but-" Korra stops as she sees all the world leaders. She blinks confused. "What's going on here?" She asks while they also confuse Wan.

Wu leans back on his chair, "Oh, hey, Dual Avatars. Just kickin' it world leader-style, trying to figure out what to do about Kuvira. For the record, I told Raiko he should've invited you two."

"You invited this dimwit instead of us?!" Wan hand leans towards Wu, yelling. "Please, Wan, it's not personal. We just thought, perhaps we called you both back into action a little too soon." Tenzin says. Korra scoffs, "What Wan said, him, but not us?!" Raiko stands up, "We're in the middle of a meeting, and we can't have people just barge in whenever they want!"

"Guys!" Bolin yells as he and Varrick run into the city hall "Oh, perfect! You're all here!" Bolin pants. "Bolin?" Opal, Mako says in unison while Wan and Korra have a wide broad grin on their faces.

"What are you doing here?! Guards, remove these traitors!" Raiko commands as the Duo gets restrained by the guards. "No! We escaped Kuvira's army! We're back on your side now! We have top-secret information for you!" The guards with Raiko nod release them. "Listen to me. Kuvira is making this thing that goes. I don't know how it works, but it has this…" Wan blinks confused at Bolin's emission.

"It's a superweapon! Like a regular weapon, only super!" Varrick explains, Wan eyes widened as it all came together. He couldn't believe- No he thought that is impossible. It couldn't be.

Kuvira is making a superweapon with the vines.

Kuvira is making a superweapon with the vines.

"She's using the vines as a source for power for her weapon," Wan says in realization and horror. "I and Korra saw a vision of her taking spirit vines from The Swamp."

"If she figures out how to harness their power, we are all doomed," Varrick adds, Wan clenches his fists in anger at this.

How dare she. How dare she use the spirits as a weapon for her power.

All the world leaders refused to attack Kuvira first. To Wan was the right choice but a lingering thought is in his head. Would he ever heal fully? He and Korra got their asses kicked by Kuvira at the same time and ever since people have been treating him like a child. No, it was before that...ever since.

Zaheer.

Wan clenches his fists at the thought of that man. Ever since that fight, he felt weaker and helpless. The days after that showed him how truly vulnerable and human he can be. It took the spirit water from the northern water tribe to heal them. Wan remembers how much he slurred due to the poison. He was so confused and deranged, the poison had destroyed his body. Kya explained that their nerve endings were broken, and the spirit water was their saving grace.

Literally.

Wan's body slowly came back to normal, and almost everything was healed but then a new plague graced them... Trauma. Never Wan in his two lifetimes experienced such horror and agony, it shattered him more than once.

Korra was the one person who kept him sane and in a way alive.

He wanted to die, it felt as if that was the only way to end the pain and suffering he endured. But it wasn't.

Wan snaps out of his thoughts watching Korra with a small smile. Her beauty never ceases to not amaze him.

Out of nowhere, Jinora's projection shows up in front of them, startling Mako.

"Korra! Wan! The vines! They're taking me! Help!" The projection disappears, Wan eyes widen as he and Korra glance at each other thinking of a plan, and Mako with Lin's permission go into the spirit wilds and are chased by the vines half-way and they go into an abandoned building. Wan and Mako attack the vines with firebending. Korra quickly shuts the wall with her earth bending. The trio pants, Wan turns his head as he gasps to see the green pods and humans inside them. Wan touches the pods and sees Jinora. "It's Jinora and the rest of them. Their spirits are trapped in the Spirit World." Wan explains.

Mako bends a fire dagger in his palm "Let's get them out." Korra quickly stops him, "Don't! You'll provoke the vines." Korra turns to Wan and he nods. The Dual Avatars bend the water on the floor and begin their purification waterbending dance. Nothing happens, and the duo holds their hands out shaking in strain. Wan throws his side of the double helix down and groans. Korra does as well.

"They won't open. Maybe if we meditate into the Spirit World, we can free them." Korra says. Wan and Korra sit down and go into a lotus flower position. Once the duo opens their eyes, they are in the canyon.

Wan looks around, something's off. He remembers this place, he just couldn't put his finger on it. "This isn't the spirit world," Korra says as a gust of wind blows their hairs, they turn and Wan's stomach goes to his throat.

Zaheer is floating in front of them, just like that same day.

"No!" Wan panics, Zaheer blasts the duo away with his airbending. Wan tries to attack but feels the all too familiar pain of the poison, Korra does as well as they both go to their knees. Zaheer smirks, "You can't fight me and the poison!"

"No, we got it all out!" Korra screams, Zaheer chuckles darkly, "You both will never get it out," Zaheer uses his airbending to pick Korra up and makes a spherical void around her, and rips the air out of her mouth. Wan screams sobbing as he is trying to reach out and save her, but he is stuck.

Wan's eyes snap open as he breaks into a sweat, he is trembling and so is Korra. Wan tries to hide the tears in his eyes but it fails. He quickly tries to compose himself, Korra looks at Wan. "What's wrong?" Mako asks the duo, Korra pants trying to hide her tears as well "It's Zaheer." She says shakily. "He's been haunting us ever since we fought him. We can't get any peace!" Wan yells as he clenches his hair. Mako supportively holds Wan and Korra's shoulders "I'm here for you guys. What do you need?"

Korra turns to Wan, "We need to face Zaheer."


"He's too dangerous. Even when he's locked up, he can't be trusted." Tenzin says as the dual Avatars and Mako are at the front of the spirit wild's entrance. "We need to. We need to find closure, Tenzin, this is the only way if I want to save Jinora and the others; there's no other way." Wan explains. "There is another way. I'm calling Korra's father. He can lead an expedition into the Spirit World from the Southern Portal."

Korra's eyes widen as she downcasts, "You've lost faith in us, haven't you?" Tenzin expression softens "It's not that at all."

"Tenzin, please, We have to do this" Wan pleads softly, "I know you want to protect us. The only way we can truly heal if we face him." Tenzin looks at Wan's deep copper eyes, "Zaheer's imprisoned deep in the mountains outside the city. I'll call Raiko and get the clearance." Wan and Korra embrace Tenzin tightly, "Thank you."


Wan breathes in and out as he sees Zaheer's prison, he narrows his eyes taking on a brave face but in actuality; he is terrified. He would have to encounter the man who brought him suffering in ways he never dreamt of, who almost murdered them. Korra is right beside him, "Are you ready?" Korra asks. Wan exhales and closes his eyes, nodding. The Duo enters the prison with Mako behind them. The ride down the elevator is daunting, and once everyone gets out. The white lotus guard says, "Approach the wall."

Mako walks with them but Korra puts her hand out signaling to stop, "We can handle this Mako." Mako frowns but nods in understanding.

Wan and Korra face the wall, side by side. Korra hand grabs on to Wan's, gripping it. The wall behind them closes and the metal gate creeps up slowly, revealing the prison. Wan eyes widen as he sees Zaheer with one leg amputated. The exact leg that he crushed. He is in chains, meditating, and completely disheveled. His hair is long and his beard is overgrown. He is in a brown robe, seated in the lotus position in the air with chains on each limb or in the case of his amputated limb, a cage going up to his hips. A burn scar is on his arm. His eyes are still closed. "I figured you two would show up sooner or later," he says calmly. "So the dual Avatars must be in trouble if you came all the way down here to see me."

Korra steps up infuriated, "We came here to look you in the eye and tell you that you have no power over us!" Zaheer remains silent for a moment; he opens his eyes and suddenly dashes forward with a growl. Korra retreats in fear, but Wan unleashes a flame in his hand in a dagger style, protecting Korra. "Stay away from us!" Wan screams. Zaheer laughs as the chains hold him back. He glances up. "I guess it didn't work. You both seem startled." Wan glares at Zaheer.

Korra steps back in fear, "This was a mistake. Wan let's go."

Zaheer gets up with one leg, "I know why both you're here," Korra clenches her fists, "You know nothing about us!" She screams in anger.

"You both can't enter the Spirit World," Zaheer says with a slight head lean. Wan's eyes widen in alarm. "I spend most of my time in the Spirit World and it's well known that both halves of the Avatar's spirit haven't been there for a few years."

"Oh, so you get to the Spirit World from here? Well, that's a lie. There is zero spiritual energy here," Wan rolls his eyes. Zaheer shakes his head, "That's your problem. Republic City is flowing with spiritual energy and you two can't even tap into it."

Korra clenches her fists in frustration, "No, our problem is you! You poisoned us! You ruined us, People used to think we were an unstoppable duo, but now they think we're not capable of anything!"

"Blaming me is a crutch to make yourselves feel better-"

"Oh, so we shouldn't condemn you for causing this?" Wan says sarcastically, "Oh, sure! Relent all responsibility. We have every right to feel angry!" Wan chuckles cruelly "Don't tell us how we should feel when you robbed us for any stability! We should blame you!" Wan screams as he points an accusing finger, "And guess what? Thanks to you, Kuvira has become the most tyrannical dictator in the entire Earth Kingdom history!"

Zaheer's eyes widened in embarrassment. "Yeah! That's right you should feel ashamed! You were talking about freedom and anarchy then it backfired and created a power vacuum for a real dictator" Korra screams. "Thanks to you, me, or Wan won't ever be the same!"

"Neither of us are the same as before. I sacrificed my leg for my flight. You both have all the power in the world and the freedom to use it, yet choose to hold yourselves down. That poison should've killed you both, but you both survived. I've heard rumors about her, but I didn't know she achieved so much power. She needs to be stopped," Zaheer says.

"Well, we can't go into the spirit world, we have a block," Korra says.

"I think I can help. Let me lead you into the Spirit World. if you two had any alternative options, you wouldn't be here now, would you? We may have been enemies once, but for now, our interests align," Korra looks at Wan, whose eyes widen in realization, then he glares at Zaheer.

"No, We have other options. I can't believe it wasn't clear until now. I just realized how sad and pathetic you are. Do you think sharing an enemy would make me and Korra beg to be helped by you? The man who ruined our lives?" Wan starts, his voice shaking in anger.

"You watched us be tortured and killed for your foolish philosophy about anarchy and at my hour of need, you claim you want to help? No. I had to look deep inside myself, I had to suffer days and nights, while you what? Stay in chains, you can escape any time you desire into the spirit world while Korra and I, we are stuck, suffering over and over by your hands! You may be chained, but you chained mentally us and then you lecture us about the trauma you caused?!"

Zaheer remains quiet but every word Wan and Korra says is a stab into his stony heart, Wan sheds a few angry tears,

"You are the most deplorable man I have ever seen trying to act like a monk! All of your actions that I've seen have made so many suffer! You watched me and Korra die in agony and claimed it was righteous. This isn't about being the Avatar, and your distaste against me and Korra, this is about being human!" Wan's hand goes to his chest, crying "I'm human Zaheer. Korra is Human, you may have gained flight, but you lost your humanity. Dying is easy, living in the shame above you is much harder. And you deserve to rot in that shame. You failed in every way, Zaheer. Your love is probably disgusted at you, if you truly loved her, you would mourn for her, not let her go for flight but always keep her in your heart." Zaheer's heart shatters at that moment, Wan was right. All of it was right. Korra holds Wan's hand supporting him.

"We will recover and overcome this block without you, and we will break the chains you put on us," Korra says. With that, the dual Avatars leave without his help. Zaheer is left a broken man from what Wan said.

Wan breaths out shakily, "So how are we going to enter the Spirit World?" Korra asks her partner, "I think we have to relieve what happened," Wan says in fear, then he smiles warmly. "Together, we can do this." Korra nods.


The Duo meditates facing each other, feeling the spiritual energy around them. They both clear their minds, Korra and Wan cross over to the spiritual plane. Instantly they are blasted with flashback after flashback. Korra and Wan tremble, letting it play out. Wan watches Korra being suffocated, but instead of being in fear, he closes his eyes. "It happened... We survived. It's okay," Wan says, letting his tears flow. It switches on him as Korra and Wan fall through an air vortex about to hit the ground, both losing control. They scream, holding on to each other.

Wan kisses Korra as they hit the ground and go through it. The duo opens their eyes in the Spirit World meadow, both standing up taking in their soundings. Wan and Korra glance at each other in shock.

They did it.

Instantly, their bodies glow blue as the sigil of Raava is shown on their chests for a moment. Once it stops, Wan feels Raava again, and so does Korra. The female Avatar looks down at her heart with glee, "Raava, we missed you. Where have you been?"

Wan breaks down into tears, he hugs his chest, sobbing tears of joy. "Raava. Your back" I have always been inside of you both, and I missed you two as well.

"I'm so glad I can hear your voice again" Wan wipes his tears, I know Wan, Raava says with a soft tone. "Raava, can you help us find Jinora and the rest?" Korra asks. The duo is quickly transported until they reach a dark forest that has a green sphere containing all the souls of the people who got taken from the Spirit Wilds in Republic City. "How do we release them?" Wan asks.

You both must bend the energy within.

"Great," Wan mumbles, "Raava we are powerless in the spirit world."

No Wan, you're most powerful here, In the Spirit World, you're both connected to all the spiritual energy.

Wan and Korra touch the green sphere entering the Avatar state, and bending the energy. The captured souls are released and free going back home.


Wan watches the bay alone in silence, as it crashes against the shore. The sun is setting below the horizon "You know I missed hearing from you.." Wan says to Raava. Mum, Indeed. I apologize for not being there when you most needed me. Ever since what that human did to you and Korra, I couldn't seem to reach either of you.

"It's fine Raava, I understand."

Wan, do you remember what I said to you when you died in your first life?

"No, I don't remember what happened…" Wan shugs,

Well, you felt like you failed me and the world. You were surrounded by war, you were very old and you kept fighting. I remember saying 'We will be together for all of your lifetimes. And we will never give up. I didn't know that I meant this lifetime but here you are. You never failed me, Wan.

Wan eyes waters, he looks over to the bay. "Did you..see everything that happened between Korra and me?"

Yes. Though I tried to block out the..intimate parts.

Wan blushes a bit, then he laughs, "Sorry.."

No need. Raava chuckles a bit.

"Raava, I think I'm in love with Korra," Wan admits.

Not a surprise. I knew you had feelings for her, whenever you're ready to confess, that is the right time.

Korra sits next to Wan, "How do you feel?" she asks. Wan smiles at the female Avatar, "Good, I feel lighter and happier" Wan grins, "And you?"

"I feel whole again." Korra watches the bay and the city lights, Wan blushes then looks back, "I don't think we can ever truly get over Zaheer."

"But we can heal from it," Korra holds his hand and scoots closer to him, "We are finally able to accept what happened and I think that's gonna make us stronger." Korra smiles, "We can do anything together no matter how painful it is."

"Yeah."

With that, the duo watches the stars and cuddle with each other, their minds free of the chains brought on them.