A Legend of Korra Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez (aka SMTsukishiro)
Summary:
A promising engineering student. A mysterious woman capable of controlling the four elements. When their paths crossed, the resulting collision not only changes their lives and themselves, but the fate of the entire world as well. [Korrasami AU]
Author's Note:
Update tiiiiime~!
We're almost at the end of the first story arc and I'm really excited to get on to that part of the story.
Anyways, this is another long chapter. I hope you guys enjoy!
Allons-y~!
The Legend of Korra
The Schism
Chapter 15. The Final Message
"Will they really be alright?" Asami asked as they continued to run down the corridor, opening rooms they passed by in hopes to find the kidnapped Opal. Though she had just met the three men, she couldn't help feeling worried about their safety, especially since she caught the number of Triple Threat members that were heading their way. "Those are a lot of Tarrlok's men back there."
"They'll manage," Chief Bei Fong sounded confident with that declaration, but a quick glimpse of her eyes told the young prodigy that even the older woman was perturbed for the sake of her faithful and trustworthy subordinates. "This is not the first time they pulled a stunt like that, and this will not be the last."
The emerald-eyed prodigy bit her lip. She hoped what Chief Bei Fong said was true. She didn't want to add them to the list of casualties brought by the invention her theses enabled and by being associated with the Avatar.
Looking at the dark-skinned girl in question, Asami noticed the raptness of her attention on the concrete walls. It was as if these walls were the most interesting thing that she had ever laid her eyes on. It was such a curious thing. Yet it was one Asami had thought was another of Korra's eccentricities and so she paid no further mind of it.
Perhaps, if the young inventor had paid a little bit more attention and kept an extra eye directed at the Avatar, she would have immediately noticed that Korra was no longer with them.
It was a lot harder to traverse the hidden corridor in the realm of reality than it was in the realm of dreams. It was narrower and tighter, and the putrid smell emanating from the pipes—coupled with the dust that permeated the air—had Korra wishing she could just get to the end already.
It was hotter as well, though perhaps that was something she should have anticipated. Rivulets of sweat trickled down her skin, both from the heat emitted by the metal pipes and the searing steam, as well as her muscles' exertion. Dust and grime coated up to her elbow, cobwebs stuck to her hands and her hair—the strands of which were soggy with perspiration.
Several times, Korra almost had her skin burnt from the pipes when she stumbled dangerously close to them. So glad and relieved was she when, several, long minutes later, she finally emerged on the other side of the needle-like corridor.
Like everything she had seen from her vision thus far, the cramped, hidden corridor led to a room that was thrumming and humming with the sound and vibration of generators and other machineries Korra knew not the name nor functions of.
Without the need for goading, Avatar Korra walked purposefully to where she knew the heavy-set door would be.
Biting her lip, the Avatar wondered how she would open said door. Testing her strength showed her that she was not capable of opening it as easily as she had hoped, not even by one measly centimeter.
"I'm not going to let this door stop me," the sapphire-eyed, dark-skinned Avatar growled, eyes burning and accepting the challenge before her. I have come too far to back down now, especially knowing what lies beyond.
And with that in mind, Korra began to dig deep, searching for even the tiniest sliver of strength she could find to aid her.
There was a loud pounding on the other side of the door that was meant to lead into a small room in the underground storage; a room that did not lead anywhere—a dead end. Each noise was punctuated by an equally loud grunt. Those who had been standing near the iron door immediately rushed to inform their commanding officer about it before letting Amon know of the strange disturbance.
Moving away from the heaps of unconscious, bruised, and battered men Councilman Tarrlok had hired as well as the security detail meant to secure the place for President Raiko, the Masked One made his way to the door in question. He was quickly followed behind by his second-in-command, the man simply known as 'The Lieutenant'.
Twin lightning batons in hand, The Lieutenant stood between Amon and the door. Cautiously, he moved forward and waited for the Equalist Leader's signal. With a nod from the Masked One, the Lieutenant threw open the door. At the same time, they heard a loud battlecry from within.
The person on the other side tumbled forward, wide-eyed and mouth hanging open in surprise that the door opened. Saving herself from planting face-first on the ground, the dark-skinned, tribal-outfit-wearing girl stuck an arm forward and used that to throw herself in a summersault, landing on one knee afterwards.
The unexpected sight of the strange, young woman caused the Equalist members close to the door to reach for their assortment of weapons and aim it at her.
Neither the girl nor the Equalists members expected to see the other. The only one who had expected something like that happening was Amon. He knew who the girl was, why she was there, and whom she was with.
"Avatar Korra," Amon decided to speak, greeting the young woman whose eyes widened yet again at being addressed. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Though, I did not expect our paths to cross so soon."
"How do you know my name?" the Avatar rose, her movement causing Amon's men to renew their stance, ready to pounce and attack should the girl make any aggressive movements towards their leader. "Who are you? Are you in league with that coward Tarrlok?"
Amon couldn't help but smirk at the Avatar's words under his mask. Few dared to talk ill of his brother. Everyone, after all, knew him as a respectable man. Rare were the people who knew the man's much darker and less than stellar side.
"An ally of the esteemed Councilman? Now wouldn't that be something?" Amon laughed, amused. "I, after all, am not here on behalf of that man."
"If you are not with him, then why are you here?"
Amon's eyes met with Korra's as he replied, "I am here for the same reason you are." he threw his hands up, stretching them to the heavens just as lights from the mecha tanks flickered open, lighting the large, mechanical structure sitting in the middle of the room. "I came here for the Spirit Bastille.
It was only when the mecha tanks illuminated the room did the Avatar realize she was vastly and superiorly outnumbered. Especially in her current state. Still, Korra couldn't let the masked man do as he pleased, not when he had announced his interest in the machine that could spell the doom of the world.
"I don't know who you are, but I can't let you have that machine," the Avatar declared, poising herself for battle.
Amon laughed once more, "Oh, really? Do you really believe you can stop us all on your own? I know of your predicament, Avatar. And I know you will not be able to do such a thing."
"Maybe so, but I can't let you take the Spirit Bastille away. Not if there's anything I can do about it!" the words were spoken with conviction and confidence, despite Korra not having anything to back that up other than her strong will.
"Then, come, Avatar! I would like to see you try!"
Asami cursed herself for not paying attention and not noticing the missing dark-skinned girl sooner. The Prodigy wanted to turn back and search for Korra, but they had gotten far and looked as though they were nearing the place where Opal was being kept. Not only that, the corridor they had traversed offered so many different branching paths. Finding Korra would be equally challenging as finding Opal. Not that Chief Bei Fong allowed her to try to go back for the missing Avatar.
"We came here for my niece, Miss Sato," the Chief of Police had said when she stopped Asami from going back, taking a firm hold of her wrist in the process. "Your friend knows that. Let's not waste the opportunity my men have given us."
"I'm sure she's fine, Miss Sato," Mako pipped up. "She was able to defend herself so far. You'll have to trust in her and believe that she'll be alright."
Trust. Asami did trust Korra, but her vanishment shook that trust a bit. She remembered how odd the other girl had acted upon rousing from her sleep. How distant she had been even before her so-called dream, right around the time they were planning Opal's rescue. Though the raven-haired young woman didn't like to admit it, she had a sneaking suspicion that the Avatar snuck away on purpose.
She had wanted to tell me something, Asami likewise reminisced when her mind took a turn to wondering why Korra hadn't bothered to say she was leaving. But we ran out of time. Still, she should have tried harder. I think I may have deserved that much.
"Miss Sato, please focus your attention on the task at hand." Chief Bei Fong pulled her out of her thoughts. "Though I would not like to put you in any more danger, there's only three of us now and we need to get past those hooligans and into that room."
The young inventor blushed, embarrassed at having been caught with her mind wandering. She shook her head, took a deep breath, before nodding and informing the Chief of Police that she was ready. With a flick of her wrist, her Shock Glove came to life. Seeing the Prodigy armed and ready, Chief Bei Fong pulled her tenugui, covering half of her face as Mako pounded his fist to his palm in preparation for the upcoming battle.
With a nod to each other, the three intruders quickly picked their marks and made short work of them. Asami used her Shock Glove to incapacitate two Triple Threat Triad members after knocking them off their feet. Mako once again displayed his mastery of martial arts by knocking a Triple Threat and two of Councilman Tarrlok's masked men with precise and well-timed kicks and punches. Chief Bei Fong did not wish to be outdone as well ensuring that the reinforcements did not manage to cause them harm, making use of the hidden wires to dispatch them.
"That glove of yours is really useful, Miss Sato," Mako noted once they were certain there were no stragglers left, taking a breather from the fight whilst searching the unconscious bodies around for the key to open the locked door before them. "Though I find it surprising that you would readily use one knowing what it does to these so-called 'spirits' of yours."
"I modified it, with help from Korra," Asami replied, turning the glove's electrifying power off, kneeling as she helped search the bodies. "We made sure that the spirits would not be harmed when I use it. If that had been unsuccessful, I certainly wouldn't even consider using it."
"Then we have to count ourselves lucky that you found a way around that," Chief Bei Fong acknowledged, pulling her tenugui down her face once more. "And that your father pushed for your self-defense classes. I'm quite a capable fighter, and so are you boy—" she looked at Mako as she spoke, "—but had it just been the two of us against that many, we would have been in trouble, especially if we had to keep you safe as well."
The Prodigy felt something cold, hard, and metallic in one of the guards' breast pockets. With a sigh of relief and a feeling of accomplishment welling up inside of her, Asami pulled it out and tossed the key to the older Bei Fong who caught it easily.
"Well, I'm glad not to be a burden," Asami had said as Chief Bei Fong turned to the door, key in hand, and unlocked it. "Which I have informed all of you from the start."
"That you have, Miss Sato," the older woman nodded with a smirk on her face, turning to speak with Asami before pushing the metallic door open. "I'll be sure to let Lu and the others know as well."
As the door groaned open, darkness spilled out, making it hard to tell how big or small the room was. The light that illuminated the corridor they were in was sparse and was slow to push away the darkness, nor did it provide them a hint of what lay beyond the room's entrance. If there was any sound to be heard from the inside, they couldn't hear it from the hum of far-off machineries and the hiss of steam from the pipes. Squinting, they were able to form vague images cast by the shadows and the inky darkness.
Cautiously the trio entered the room, led by Chief Bei Fong, though they only allowed themselves several paces forward. Their footsteps bounced off walls, making it sound louder than how they really were and stirring a figure in the middle of the room into life.
"I'm not...going to change my mind!" a gravely, yet familiar voice, came from the silhouette. "You can tell that bastard—Tarrlok—that."
"Opal!" Asami quickly moved to the hunched figure that was Opal. The closer she got to her friend, the more she saw how badly hurt the young historian was and how poorly she had been treated by those who took her.
Though surprised with seeing the state her niece was in, Chief Bei Fong managed to shake that surprise away and followed after Asami. Once kneeling beside Opal and seeing her wrists bound, the Chief of Police tried to free her from her bindings only to find that it required a key none of them had.
Before Chief Bei Fong could even instruct him, Mako quickly went back out of the room saying, "I'll look for the key. Maybe one of the guards has it too."
It took a while for Opal's grogginess to dissipate and for her to recognize who had spoken to her.
"Asami?" there was uncertainty in the way Opal said her friend's name, as though unwilling to believe the brilliant inventor was truly right in front of her, rescuing her.
Asami gave Opal a reassuring smile, trying her best not to let the tears of relief welling up in eyes fall as Chief Bei Fong spoke.
"Hang in there, kid," she told her niece, pushing an errant stand of hair back from the young girl's face. "We'll get you out of here soon." And make whoever did this to you pay, even if that person might be someone like Councilman Tarrlok.
"Aunt Lin?" Hearing Chief Bei Fong speak immediately had Opal's eyes widening with surprise. She did not expect her aunt to be there, so much so that she just stared open-mouthed at the older Bei Fong.
"Don't sound too surprise now, kid," Chief Bei Fong said, her tone softening as she spoke with Opal. "You didn't really think I would let Miss Sato and that Korra-girl try to rescue you on their own and sit this one out, did you?"
"Avatar Korra is here too?" Opal's eyes couldn't get any wider, though mixed with that surprise was also a large dose of panic. She looked around, thinking her outburst loud enough to get the Avatar to duck inside the room she was being held in. When she saw neither hide nor hair of the said dark-skinned girl, she asked, "Where is she? Is she alright?"
"Geez, worry about yourself more, would you?" Mako returned to the room, shaking his head at the questions as he walked towards the handcuffed girl, a ring of iron keys in his hand. As he began to try one key after another, he explained where he found them. "There was a guard room up ahead. Had a few of the Councilman's men stationed there. Took them out, of course, but not before one of them graciously handed me this...though he didn't specifically say what these keys are for."
"Hurry up then," there was understandable tone of impatience in the older woman's voice when she spoke that did not warrant any explanation. Everyone in that room knew they had more than overstayed their welcome. Everyone was tired as well from having exerted themselves too much.
As Mako worked on the handcuffs that bound Opal to the steel chair and Chief Bei Fong stood guard by the room's entrance, Asami couldn't shake the extremely worried look that was on her friend's face. Hoping to ease it, she assured her that they would get out of there soon and have her wounds treated.
"I'm not worried about myself," Opal's voice cracked as she spoke, her lips were as dry as her throat making it doubly difficult to speak. She pushed through the discomfort to speak. "I'm fine. Really, I am. It's Avatar Korra I'm more worried about."
It baffled Asami as to why, and she told the other girl that. "Korra is not with us right now. She disappeared when we were traversing this corridor."
"Disappeared?" Opal's voice squeaked as it took on a higher note in surprise. "Disappeared, how? What happened, Asami?"
The Prodigy had thought that she was worried plenty for the missing Avatar. She didn't think—nor did she imagined—the Historian to be a lot more anxious about the matter than she was. Though that emotion turned to a mixture of curiosity and confusion after Asami had finished telling her of Korra's strange behavior and subsequent disappearance.
"Of all the times and places she could have picked to do something like this, Avatar Korra had to choose here and now?" the intensity of their worry for the missing girl may be different, but their frustration at her timing was not.
Though he was not part of the conversation—and though he had kept quiet and pretended not to listen to the two, young women's discussion—Mako couldn't help the question that flowed out from his lips.
"What's gotten you into a tiffy over her?" he asked. There were only two keys left he needed to try, and he needed one of them to work. "That girl can keep herself safe. Besides, I'm willing to bet the Councilman's goons and the Triple Threats under his employ would trouble us first than they would her. I mean, we just traversed the Catacombs, beat up a lot of them, and are now in the process of breaking you out of here."
There was a soft, yet audible, click as the Mercenary turned the key before the cuffs that bound the young Bei Fong fell and clattered to the ground. Free to move her arms and hands again, Opal quickly rubbed her wrist hoping to ease the soreness away as Mako worked on the bindings on her feet. It took a couple of seconds before she was finally completely free.
"I wouldn't make that bet if I were you, Mako." Opal stretched her muscles—or tried to, before the pain from her injuries resurfaced and caused her to double over. Both Asami and Mako managed to keep her from face-planting on the ground. With gritted teeth and a shallow breath, she spoke before the two could interrupt her and before the pain could keep her from sharing what little she knew. "Tarrlok had me bound here because he made a gamble that you would come rescue me, Asami, and that you would find a way to drag Avatar Korra here with you. He wanted Korra here, Asami. I was just supposed to be the bait."
Korra hated it. No, hate was not a strong enough word to describe the feeling she had, as well as the circumstance she had put herself in. She was irritated by the loud taunts and jeers of those watching her duel with the person who seemed to be their leader.
It was appalling how it seemed as though her enemy was merely toying with her. Though Korra managed to keep up with him, it was hard to keep herself from being impatient or from being blinded by anger and making mistakes that allowed Amon to sneak in an attack or to pass her defenses. She was distracted by the proximity of the Spirit Bastille and knowing she was within arm's length of saving the Elemental Spirits.
Angry and frustrated, the Avatar switched from one form to another as she tried to find one that would be well-suited against Amon. But whatever stance and form she took, Amon was able to counter her. It did not help that she was quickly losing stamina, thus the force behind her kicks and punches were lacking.
"Is this the best you can do, Avatar?" the Masked One taunted before he moved with such inhuman speed to close the distance between him and Korra. Before the Avatar could react in any way, Amon twisted in place, delivering a powerful, roundhouse kick to her midriff that lifted her from the ground. It was as if his attacks were imbued with Bai Hu's power in strength; his movements blessed with Vayu's speed.
Amon wasn't finished with his attack, however, for he sent another kick towards Korra who had staggered in place and was only able to block the attack using both of her forearms. Still, despite what Bai Hu would have commended as a perfect block, the Avatar still felt the ferocity of the attack, so much so that she was pushed farther back.
The kick was soon followed by a barrage of punches and palm strikes which Korra had to use all of her strength and concentration to block and parry. With each strike, the Avatar took a step back and attempted to return the favor. It was futile.
Things were not looking well for Korra. She glanced at the hulking machination—the source of her grief and the spirits' pain—it was so close. If she could only get past the masked man who was giving her a hard time and a good beating.
But how can I get past someone who seems to be able to read my every move? Avatar Korra wondered. She was not getting any closer to the Spirit Bastille, all she had managed so far was to get herself mocked in this battle. Time, as well as her stamina, was running out.
"Is this all you are capable of, Avatar?" the Masked One asked, "I have to say I am quite disappointed. My benefactor thinks highly of you and speaks mightily about your prowess. But I suppose without the Elemental Spirits you are very much human."
Korra gritted her teeth. She knew he was taunting her, wanting her to come charging in so that he could end the fight and flee with the Spirit Bastille. She looked around, past the dozens upon dozens of other humans who were allied with her foe, eyes searching for anything she might use against them. There was nothing, save for some of the mecha tanks devoid of their pilots who had taken to watching the fight out of their mechanized suits.
It was then that the Avatar's mind came up with an idea—a semblance of a plan, and a reckless one at that. Looking at the large, metallic humanoids, she could tell that they were strong and sturdy...and that they would not be easy to commandeer. The only thing she was capable of riding—and riding superbly well at that—was the Polar Bear Dog she had back at Nia Bayou. Still, whether it would be difficult or not, Korra had no choice. The strange, human-like vehicle was the only thing she could see that could do some damage to the Spirit Bastille.
Having made up her mind, Avatar Korra waited for the opportunity to act out her plan. That moment came when she managed to dodge Amon's attack. Instead of retaliating, she used the momentum of her evasive maneuver to run as quickly as she could to the mecha tank's cockpit, knocking the unsuspecting pilot out of the way as she climbed in.
Those who were present, including her masked opponent, did not expect her to do such a thing, which gave her ample time to get as comfortable as she dared allow inside the cockpit. Not knowing how to operate the thing, Korra decided to make use of what Opal had—at one particular instance—told her was the "universal way of fixing things and getting them to work": she slammed her hands on all the buttons in the console in front of her and began flipping switches, pulling and pushing everything she could find.
She must have done something right for the mecha tank roared into life, causing chaos to its surrounding with one of its claw-shaped hands torpedoing forward and sending a powerful voltage coursing through the thick wires connecting it to the body thereby electrocuting everything and everyone that was in its path.
As if that was not enough, Korra's unorthodox method of powering up the mechanized suit also had its built-in gatling guns activating, spraying bullets every which way. Those who were fast enough managed to move out of the guns' line of sight, those who were not were less than fortunate. Some only had the bullets graze their skin, others got hit in the thigh, arm, of leg. The truly unfortunate ones were left in the puddle of their own blood, bodies riddled with bullet holes.
Her mecha tank rampage worsened when Korra found the lever and pedal that controlled the mechanized suit's movement—which was something she had trouble with but still, somehow, managed to get to work. Though wobbling, she moved the mecha tank forward, towards the Spirit Bastille, even as all of its weaponry was active. The claw retracted before firing away again, the guns continued their barrage of bullets, and all the while the accented voice of the Lieutenant could be heard amidst the noise ordering everyone and anyone to take Korra, and the mecha tank she had seized, down.
As chaotic as everything had turned into, Korra paid it no mind. Her eyes were affixed on the Spirit Bastille, watching as the bullets began to pepper it, busting pipes and metallic cylinders, ruining the alignment of several cogs, breaking whatever it could. Still, the main body of the machine—the one Korra believed was acting as the vessel for her Elemental Spirits—was still intact.
Frustrated, the Avatar began pushing more random buttons hoping to find other weapons that might be more destructive than what she had already activated. A switch she toggled brought to life the mecha tank's drill, and though alarmingly and gratingly noisy, it slowly chipped through the sturdy metal plating that encased the Spirit Bastille's main body.
Korra was relieved to see the Spirit Bastille slowly being picked apart, even when she was in the midst of such a dangerous situation. Her focus was not on her own personal safety but the safety of the Four Elemental Spirits. Perhaps that was the reason why she did not notice Amon until it was already too late.
Having evaded the rampaging mecha tank's attacks by jumping atop the other mecha tanks and using them as a platform to get close enough to disengage the Avatar from the cockpit, Amon surprised Korra, kicking her with such force that—with the cockpit open—Korra flew out of the mecha tank, colliding with a nearby wall. The force of the impact was so powerful she ended up blacking out.
Though he was able to throw Korra off the mechanized suit, the controls were already shot and Amon could do nothing about Hiroshi Sato's invention, especially not when all the gauges in it told him that the mecha tank was already overheating and was going to explode.
Not wanting to lose any more of his men, and have the Spirit Bastille destroyed, Amon turned to the Lieutenant.
"Have our men evacuate with the Spirit Bastille now," he ordered his second-in-command. "No dilly-dallying. This mecha tank is about to blow up."
"And what of the girl?" the Lieutenant asked, glancing at the unconscious heap several feet away. "Should I finish her off for you, sir?"
Amon followed his gaze. For a moment, he wondered if the Avatar had planned for the mecha tank's explosion or if it was just a fluke; if his benefactor was right about the girl. Though he loathed the Avatar for killing and injuring a lot of his people, he knew better than to go against his benefactor's wishes.
"No," it was a difficult order to give at that moment. "Leave her."
"But, sir—!"
"I understand how you feel, but I have made an agreement with someone who is very much interested in the Avatar, Lieutenant." Amon jumped from the mecha tank's cockpit, straightening up after landing on the ground. "She is not to be killed. Not yet."
The leader of the Equalists turned around, ready to leave, along with the prize they had claimed. The discussion was over as far as he was concerned, and so was his brief yet enlightening encounter with the young woman known as 'the Avatar'.
"Is he here? Is Tarrlok here?" asked Chief Bei Fong who had overheard everything Opal had shared with Asami and Mako and who had come to check on then, wondering why they were taking so long.
Opal looked up at her aunt and replied, "No. I don't think so. The last time he came sauntering in here, he said something about meeting with President Raiko and showing him the Spirit Bastille."
Before any of them could offer a reaction to that new-found information, they heard and felt a loud explosion. It was enough to send them teetering, almost falling on their haunches. Small debris fell down from the ceiling, along with dust and granite. The lights—whatever little there was in the corridor—flickered. When the tremors had stopped, they all looked around and checked themselves and each other for injuries. They found none.
"What was that?" Opal asked, eyes wide.
Asami, for her part looked over at Chief Bei Fong. "That was a powerful explosion. Did Lu, Gang, and Gommu do that?"
"They would have to be idiots if they did," Mako huffed as he took Opal's weight off Asami, knowing their time had already run out and they would now need to make haste.
The Chief of Police shook her head, her frown deepening. "No. They might be a handful at times, but they would not cause such an explosion even if they were being overwhelmed. Not until they're certain we have escaped with Opal at least."
"Then who would—?" Mako's query was cut when alarms blared to life, followed by a mechanical female voice announcing that there was an intruder in the premises. The Mercenary shook his head at the delayed announcement of what many of Councilman Tarrlok and the Triple Threats they had encountered already knew.
"Enough chit-chat. We can talk about this later. Right now we need to move, people!" Chief Bei Fong told them. No one, of course, argued with the older woman.
As they rushed out of the room, Asami couldn't shake the anxiety she was feeling, nor the thought that it might have been Korra who had caused that explosion. And if it was, all Asami could do was hope she was okay.
She was back in that dark place between the dreaming and waking world. A familiar sensation enveloped her, one she had known since childhood. It was the Four Elemental Spirits, their powers engulfing her in their embrace; protecting her.
The Avatar sighed. She felt completion.
"Avatar Korra," Alignak's voice, crystal clear as the waters of Nia Bayou, spoke to her in that motherly tone of hers.
"Alignak, Bai Hu, Suzaku, Vayu," Korra felt like a child again. She couldn't help the tears falling down her face. She knew it was unbecoming of the Avatar, but for the first time Korra tried not to think that she was the bridge between worlds. "I missed you all so much! I apologize for not coming sooner."
"Aw, no need to shed any tears, Avatar Korra," Vayu said. The smile on the Elemental Spirit of Air was a sad one and it confused the young Avatar. Just as the words that followed did. "We'll be together again, I'm sure. Though, I suppose we would have to start from scratch."
"What...? What do you mean by that? Are we not together now?"
"Not for long," Bai Hu replied. "We are fading, my young Avatar. That devious device the humans had created, it had taken a lot of our energy. We only have enough for this."
Korra looked at the manifestation of the Elemental Spirits. She was finding it hard to accept what they had just told her. She couldn't have been too late to help them. I couldn't have been!
"N-No. This can't be happening. I need the four of you! How am I supposed to be the Avatar without your help? Without bending to aid me?"
"Do not fret, Avatar Korra," it was so long since Korra had heard Suzaku take a gentle tone. It was strange, though welcoming as well. "You will not be without us for long. And we just have enough of our strength to give you one final aid...until the time we meet again."
"And you are not alone even now, are you not?" Alignak asked, "That human you have coerced before, is she not with you still?"
"I..." Korra looked away. She didn't know why she felt embarrassed to admit her choice. "I left her...and the others who had come here to rescue the other human...to help the four of you, as is my duty."
The Elemental Spirit of Water clucked her tongue and shook her head, looking ready to admonish.
"What?" Korra asked, taking a step back and crossing her arms. She didn't understand why Alignak was giving her that look.
"I hope you at least left her someplace safe," Alignak said, and when the Avatar cringed and began fidgeting, the spirit sighed. It would appear we had failed in teaching her some things. "Honestly, Avatar Korra, what are we to do with you? It is true that we do not hold humans in such high regard, bur that human had risked quite a lot for your sake—something that the four of us find truly commendable. You should value that more."
"Are you saying I made a mistake, Alignak?" Korra raised an eyebrow, her voice taking a challenging note as though having such tone would keep the Elemental Spirit of Water from speaking her mind.
No such luck for the Avatar. Time was almost up for the Four Elemental Spirits, and Alignak wanted to say as much as she could to the young woman and help give her a steer. "I am saying that you have as much duty to the humans—especially someone like that girl who is selfless and cares greatly about this world—as you have with us."
"She is a trustworthy one, that Asami Sato," Bai Hu drawled. "And that other human? Opal Bei Fong? I would have loved to speak with her some more. She is wise beyond her years."
The image of the Four Elemental Spirits began to waver, turning hazy. Korra gasped, her face paled and eyes widened. She didn't want them to disappear. Not now, not ever.
"Alignak..." Vayu turned to face the aforementioned spirit. A look passed between them, with the Elemental Spirit of Water nodding. It was only after obtaining permission did Vayu turn to Korra and said, "We're out of time, Avatar Korra. Though our current forms are disappearing, the world will not be in any danger yet. We have left pieces of ourselves, just for an event such as this."
"Find those pieces, Avatar Korra." Suzaku continued from where Vayu left off. "Find us. Use those pieces to revive us."
"Each are scattered around the globe, hidden and protected by wards and by those who have been sworn to aid the Lord of the Spirits," Bai Hu added, sharing what he knew as well. "Each hidden within the four nations. Follow the cycle, Avatar Korra."
"Where in the four nations?" Korra asked.
"That we cannot say," Bai Hu replied. "Finding them is part of the test. Remember: follow the cycle."
That was the last thing Bai Hu said before he disappeared. Korra called for him, but he showed himself no more. His energy was spent, and soon, so were the energies of the Elemental Spirits of Fire and Air, leaving Avatar Korra alone with Alignak.
"This is goodbye, at least for now, Korra," Alignak smiled fondly at the Avatar. "We have left you with a bit of our strength to allow you to bend for the journey ahead. It will not be as strong a power as what you once had before, but it will suffice. And please, my dear Avatar, do show care on how you interact with those humans who have helped you. They are valuable allies—friends."
The Avatar was surprised to hear Alignak say something like that, especially when it comes to humans. As far as she could remember, Alignak had often reminded her to steer clear of them. She wondered if Asami and Opal were truly special, enough that the Elemental Spirit of Water would even permit herself to call them 'friends'. Still, Korra nodded, trying her best to look much stronger in holding back her tears than how she actually felt. As Alignak began to disappear, Korra remembered a question she had promised herself to ask the Elemental Spirit of Water.
"Alignak, wait!" she cried out, as though Alignak had any control in her fading. "Before, you told me you felt that Asami was someone special. What did you mean by that?"
Alignak's eyes widened. She did not think Korra would remember her saying that. It was, after all, a comment she only made in passing. And though it was the Avatar—it was Korra—who asked, the spirit could not find it in her to answer and share what she knew of the human.
And so all she could do, at that moment with her slowly disappearing into the ether, was give an apologetic smile at the girl she had cared so much for and had taught so much of.
"I apologize, Avatar Korra," Alignak said, her voice slowly fading as well. "But our time is up. Perhaps when we meet again I will be able to answer your question."
"Alignak!"
The Elemental Spirit closed her eyes, letting the last vestige of her power flow to Korra, giving her more than what she had already been given. In her final moments, seconds before completely disappearing, she gave the Avatar one, final hug, whispering to her ear and reiterating what the others had already asked of her.
"Find us, Avatar Korra. We'll be waiting."
Post Chapter Notes:
This chapter is, perhaps, one of the most difficult ones I had to right, simply because of the final scene with Korra and the Elemental Spirits...I sure do love the way I gave them (the Elemental Spirits) a personality of their own and love to write their interactions with each other and with Korra. Having said that, this has to happen...as does the whole scenario with Opal.
As for those who are wondering, Bolin will be in this fanfic. It will just take a while to introduce him.
Also, can you guys guess who the Guardians of the Elemental Spirits' Cores are (I'm pretty sure some of you guys could!)?
Until the next update, dream on; fly on!