.
.
.
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The powerful winds diminished and Yuki descended, hovering only a few feet from the ground, smiling wickedly at the Avatar. Her eyes still glowing red like blood. Just looking at the two, everyone could tell they were meant to oppose one another. Yuki's hair was as black as night while Korra's was of silvery stardust. Yuki's body glowed with markings of blood red, while Korra possessed the pure white eyes of the Avatars of the past. Every time Yuki spoke, her voice was merged with that of Vaatu. It was as if two people were speaking at once.
"Raava. Dear, sweet sister. Nothing could prevent this moment. Harmonic Convergence is upon us again, and this time I will defeat you for good."
"That won't happen." Korra replied bravely, "I defeated you once, I can do it again."
"Foolish child. You shall share the same fate as my sister. She gave up everything for that pathetic human."
"She did it for love!"
"Ha! Love. It is nothing more than a tingly feeling. A toy for you humans. It is weak."
"You're wrong! It was Wan and Raava's love that stopped you, and it will happen again."
"Then prove it." with a wicked smile, an orb of ark energy manifested on the palm of her hand and hurled it towards the Avatar. Instinctively, Korra shielded herself, bending the rock from underneath her to shield herself. Only, it wasn't stone she had bended.
Her eyes widened when she realized it was…ice. Actual ice, sparkling and shimmering like a dream unlike anything Korra had ever seen.
"What? Did…did I do that?" Korra looked down at her hands, confused as to why she had created an ice shield when she was really trying to bend the earth.
Even Yuki was shocked by this. "What?! How is that possible?!"
Korra had no explanation. But she had no time to process when she heard Bolin screaming in terror at the Eska and Desna hydra charging at her friends. The creature was larger than any beast Korra had ever seen. Thinking fast, she ran ahead and, as if by complete instinct, she extended her arm as if expecting something to come out of them, which did. It was ice. Shimmering, sparkling ice that was blasted from her hands and reached the ground, creating a powerful ice that surrounded the left leg of the creature, trapping it. Korra panted in shock. She didn't know where these new abilities came from, but she would use them to her advantage.
However, the hydra was the least of their troubles. Dark spirits surrounded them, charging and snapping their teeth in an attempt to transform Korra's friends into monsters just like her cousins. The Avatar continued blasting the ice at the creatures, blasting them away or freezing them into place.
Once spirit aimed at Unalaq, who was still on the ground, too stunned to get back up. Tonraq shielded his brother from the creature, ready to take its new host. Only, the creature never got the chance. Tonraq's body suddenly began to glow bright as he shielded his brother. The creature shrieked in fear and flew away. Tonraq opened his eyes, amazed to see that he was still himself. He helped his brother to stand up and hid him behind a rock while the others fought the hydra and dark spirits.
Korra stepped before the dark spirit, possessing the young woman. "Vaatu, you're fight is with me, not them!"
Yuki's eyes looked at the group and rose her hand, ordering the hydra to stop. "You're right. So, why not let them fight their own battles." with a wave of her hand, dark smoke swirled around each one of Korra's friends, as well as the Eska and Desna hydra before flowing to the portal. Korra extended her friend.
"No! What did you do to them?!"
"Nothing. They're back in the human world with your beloved cousins. While they have their fun, why don't we have ours…dear sister."
(~)
Mako, Asami, Bolin, P'Li, Tonraq and Unalaq suddenly found themselves in what appeared to be a snowy mountain top, where down bellow they could see the spirit portal, not too far away.
However, that was the least of their worries. The conjoined two headed hydra had also made the trip with them. And by the looks of it…it was hungry.
(~)
"Jinora! Jinora, kid can you hear me?" Varrick continued calling out to the child. "Your dad's looking for you and your big sister is fighting the spirit of darkness and chaos so would you mind coming out from wherever you're hiding? Please!"
Tenzin sighed in defeat, "This isn't working. We can't just randomly wander the spirit world, call out for Jinora and expect to find her."
Lin then turned to Zaheer, "Well, you're the spirit world expert. Any ideas?"
"I wouldn't call myself an "expert" exactly, but I am familiar with some aspects of the spirit world."
The chief rolled her eyes, "Great. Just what we needed to hear."
"For example, if you travel too deep into the spirit world, you will end up in a place where only the lost will find you."
Varrick tapped his chin in thought, "Hm, okay, yeah, okay, sure….what does that mean?"
"Since the portals have been closed, not too many spirits trust humans. So, anything they find doesn't belong they are tossed into the fog of lost souls."
"I read about that place." said Tenzin. "You think that's where Jinora is?"
"It's the most likely place where we could find her. She's lost, so in the fog is where she would be."
"How do you know all this stuff?" Varrick asked.
"I've lived on a giant Lion Turtle for several years. You pick up a few things. Now let's go. If we want to get Jinora back, we better hurry. She's strong…but not that strong."
(~)
This was it. The Avatar vs. the Dark Avatar in the final showdown. Korra did the first attack in sending shards of ice at Yuki, who dodged them with ease. Korra's eyes glowed white as she continued using her new ice attacks at her nemesis. Yuki had never seen these kind of powers before. She wondered if they were the cause of Harmonic Convergence or Raava herself. No, not even Raava could posses such power. It had to be something else. Well, whatever it was, it would be no match for her new dark powers, that was for sure.
Korra was gaining the upper hand until Yuki fired a powerful purple beam at the Avatar, which send her flying backwards, colliding with a rock. Yuki fell downwards, her hands touching the ground and commanding the vines from the ground to come to life and wrap themselves around Korra's body, trapping her in her coils.
(~)
The hydra creature came charging at the group, both heads snapping its jaws at them. They dispersed into two groups; Mako with Bolin and Asami and P'Li with Tonraq. Unalaq cowardly hid behind a snow dune, too afraid to fight his own children. They had become monsters because of him.
Eska's head snapped at the three teenagers while Desna's snapped at P'Li and Tonraq. Mako and Bolin sent their respected elements at Eska's head, but the serpentine-like head only dodged their attempts before trying to snap her jaws at them once more.
"Watch the teeth!" Asami said as they jumped away from her once more.
"Thanks for the tip!" Mako exclaimed sarcastically.
"Only trying to help. Lean left!" she ordered, just when Eska's head came at them once more. Mako jumped ahead, colliding into Asami and the two rolled down on the snow just when Eska's teeth reached the ground. Mako shielding Asami's head, and her face now flat on the snow. She spitted the white substance from her mouth. "Your other left."
Eska's head rose up again and this time Bolin earthbended a rock at her mouth, which she broke into pieces before laughing tauntingly at the young boy.
Desna's head aimed towards Tonraq, only to have P'Li rush into his defense, and holding the creature's gigantic teeth back with her bear hands. She readied to send a combustion blast into his mouth until she was stopped by Tonraq.
"Don't! They're still Unalaq's children."
P'Li hesitated and only used her strength to knock Desna's head down to the ground. This was going to be a lot harder than they thought.
(~)
"We're here." said Zaheer as he showcased to the rest of the group what lied before them. They all stood over the very edge of a cliff, and down bellow they witnessed a never ending fog that went on for miles and miles. Tall spiky rocks colored brownish red rose from within, slightly arching forwards similar to claws.
This was the fog of lost souls, and the one place where Zaheer knew they could find Jinora. From a nearby tree, Zaheer yanked off a long vine and began wrapping it around their waists before securing it around the large tree. "Alright, we need to remain close to one another." he said, "The Fog of Lost Souls is a spirit prison for humans. The fog itself is actually a spirit that infects your mind and slowly drives you mad, imprisoning you in your own darkest memories." Upon hearing this, Varrick began to shiver in fear. "One of us will have to stay here and keep an eye on the rope."
"I'll do it!" Varrick quickly said, raising his hand upwards, "Trust me, you guys don't want to know any of my deepest darkest secrets."
"That's alright, Varrick."
"Well, there's no way I'm letting some fog mess with my head." Lin said with her arms crossed. She was a tough as nails woman, so she refused to be tricked by the fog itself.
"Let's hope we can all get through. The fog can bend even the strongest of wills. So be on alert. If any one of us starts to loose it we'll yank on the vine, that'll be your cue to pull us back Varrick."
"Will do, captain!" Varrick said with a salute and the three adults made their way downwards from the cliff and into the fog.
Once inside, the trip wandered aimlessly through. It was so thick they couldn't see anything. It was like walking into a never-ending blank hallway. Lin turned to Tenzin with an uneasy look. "How long can a person be trapped here?" as she asked, a man walked around behind them. He was apparently in his late to mid forties, his clothing looked like those of a Fire Nation general…from long ago when Aang was still alive and very young. His hair was messy, and he continued to talk to himself.
"I am Zhao, the Conqueror. I am the Moon Slayer. I will capture the Avatar." he paused for a brief moment before speaking again, repeating what he had just said. "I am Zhao, the Conqueror. I am the Moon Slayer. I will capture the Avatar."
Lin's eyes widened at the sight. This man was completely out of his mind, continuously chanting the same thing over and over again with no end in sight. "Hopefully we're not trapped in here as long as that guy."
The man, Zhao, then spotted Tenzin. He looked at the air nomad as if he were his lifelong enemy. "You, you're him. The last airbender!"
Tenzin cried out in fear when Zhao grabbed him by the collar of his robe. "Ah, no! Get off me!"
"You've grown. But I will still defeat you." Zhao was then dragged away from Tenzin when Lin and Zaheer grabbed his arms and yanked him off. Lin then pushed him away with her earthbending and the group ran away hastily and fearfully. They could still hear Zhao's insane cries.
"Come back Avatar. Face me! I am Zhao the Conqueror. I will capture you! Victory will be mine!"
(~)
Korra grunted as she struggled to break free of the vines that had entrapped her. She only managed to wiggle her hand free, and the tips of her fingers made contact with the plant life. Suddenly, the tip of her finger glowed a bright yellow and the Avatar ceased her struggling. She looked down and noticed that the vines were loosening themselves, much to both hers and Yuki's shock.
The vines released the Avatar, allowing her to land softly onto the ground, were several flowers began to blossom around her and the vines elegantly rested around her, as if awaiting her command. Just like with her ice powers, Korra couldn't understand what was happening or for what reason it was.
"Now I understand." said Yuki, her voice still merged with Vaatu, "That sneaky little Lion Turtle. Thinking that by giving you an advanced form of bending you could defeat me. Just as he did for Wan to help him."
"What?" Korra asked. This was one detail she didn't know about Wan.
"Now, I'm going to finish what I should have done. Ten thousands years ago!" rising her hands upwards, Yuki manifest a powerful dark energy beam and shot it directly at Korra. The Avatar leaped out of the way and started to run like a ninja across the ground, avoiding the dark spirit's attacks. As she ran, more and more green life grew around her and the vines continued to follow her, no longer obeying Yuki's command. Korra got an idea and stopped her running, facing the creature, extended her hands forwards and the vines reacted, extending forwards and reaching the dark spirit, enwrapping her with their bindings.
With the creature sustained, Korra's eyes and hair began to glow brightly as a powerful wind began to lift her up from the ground. The vines contained the creature while Korra bended the water around them, the liquids began to spiral around the creature like a shimmering ocean as did the winds, and finally, from the tips of her fingers, lightning came shooting out, dancing and bouncing from the vines onto the waters and then the winds in a dazzling light show display as the vines began pushing Yuki forward to the tree of time.
"No!"
"I'm locking you away for another ten thousands years, Vaatu!" Korra voice spoke like a booming echo, alongside the voices of all the past avatars before her and Raava.
(~)
Mako rolled onto the snowy ground after the hydra managed to whip him once more with its tail. Suddenly, the spirit portal began to glow brighter than before. The creature immediately began to sense its mistress was in danger and began charging towards the portal.
"Where's it going?" Tonraq asked as the gigantic creature ran at top speed towards the portal.
Mako's eyes widened, "It's going after Korra!" he cried out as he sprung back up and ran after the creature, throwing fire blast after fire blast directly at it. P'Li sent her combustion blasts and Bolin send rocks at it while Tonraq and Unalaq bended water at it, but to no avail.
The creature went right into the portal, where it witnessed Yuki being forced back into the tree of time, and Korra pushing her back with a highly advanced form of her bending. Furious, the creature growled in anger and whipped it tail directly at Korra, knocking her down and breaking her hold on Yuki, who broke free of her bindings. The vines dried out and broke into pieces, the winds blasted away, knocking the rest of the heroes down after they entered back in through the portal, the lightning bounced from rock to rock before disappearing and the waters fell around like rain for several minutes before stoping.
Korra lifted herself up and saw the hydra growling at her in furry. Mako and Tonraq quickly rushed on over, attacking the creature and shielding Korra from it. The male waterbender created a pair of ice blades around his arms and aimed them at the creature, creating a tear in its skin, which made the beast roar and angrily toss Tonraq aside, making him hit a rock and knocking him out cold.
"Dad!" Korra cried out. Unalaq witnessed his younger brother laying on the ground. He never realized how much it pained him to see him this way. And there was no one else to blame but himself.
Master as much courage as he could, he ran up to the creature in a desperate attempt to reason with his children. "Eska, Desna, listen to me! It's your father! I'm sorry for what I have done to you, please stop!"
But the creature didn't react in any way. The darkness of the spirits was too strong a hold, it prevent the twins from listening to their father. Desna's gigantic claw reached out and grabbed the chief, who whimpered like a coward as the head of his only son roared at him.
Mako then noticed the cut Tonraq had left on the creature's side, seeing a dark good dripping out of it and dropping to the ground. He knew he had seen that substance before, and from within the cut he saw…light.
"I have an idea." he said to the Avatar before running off.
"Mako, what are you doing?" Korra asked the firebender, who quickly turned around and passionately kissed her on the lips, taking her by surprise.
"I love you." he said, right before running towards the creature, getting its attention. "Hey, ugly! Over here!"
Eska's long tongue extended outwards and wrapped itself around Mako's leg, covering it in drool, and lifting him upwards into the air. Mako screamed as he fell right into Eska's mouth, and she swallowed him whole.
Bolin screamed in sheer terror, while Asami gripped her neck, looking both horrified and disgusted.
"No!" Korra cried out, her voice so loud it woke up Tonraq, who only managed to see bits and pieces of the event, due to his vision being blurry. Eska's head burped and smiled in satisfaction at her meal. Desna was just about to devour his own father until his sister suddenly felt sick. Her neck started to glow brightly, first as a red dot, then expanding into an aura of orange and red, the color of flames. From the side of her neck, came out what appeared to be a words made out entirely out of flames, for which Mako was controlling, and used to slice Eska's head right off of her body. The head flew off and landed onto the ground.
Right before their eyes, the head suddenly became black, turning into what appeared to be some kind of sickly black ooze that melted away onto the ground, revealing Eska's body, completely unharmed and laying on the ground, groaning.
Desna's body began to shift as well as he roared in pain, releasing Unalaq from his grasp and Korra quickly caught him with her airbending. The rest of the hydra body began to piece open with a blinding light coming from inside before exploding into bits, forcing the others to shield their eyes. Once all was done, Desna's body laid on the ground, and so did Mako's…who was covered in drool.
The firebender cringed in disgust at the dripping saliva on his cloths, hair and face. Bolin fainted on the spot while Asami and P'Li looked on in wide eyed shock.
"Well…that happened." said the heiress.
(~)
"Jinora! Jinora!" Tenzin continued to call out for her daughter. The trio had been searching for who knows how long for the child but found no trace of her anywhere. Suddenly, Lin froze in place, causing the others to stop. "Lin? Are you alright?"
"Do you hear that?" she asked.
"Hear what?"
The woman looked at her surroundings, her green eyes widening before suddenly sending a rock at nowhere in particular.
"Lin, what are you doing?!"
"The Triads! Don't you see them!?"
"It's the fog." said Zaheer, "It's already affecting her."
Thinking fast, Tenzin gripped the woman's shoulders, trying to snap her back to her senses. "Lin, listen to me. There are no triads. The fog is messing with your mind."
"No, you don't understand. I have to protect the city and everyone in it, it's my job!"
"Please, you have to listen to me!"
"Lock out!" Lin earthbended another rock, this time at Zaheer, which caused the vine around him to suddenly break.
"Lin, you need to stop this!"
"You can't tell me what to do!" the woman spatted back, "My mother never stopped and neither will I, do you hear me?!" the woman immediately untied the vine around her waist before running away to fight of the imaginary triads in her mind.
"Wait, Lin! Come back!" Tenzin cried out but it was too late. Lin was already immerse within the fog and could no longer be seen. "Zaheer, I don't see Lin. Zaheer?"
The second bald man was gripping his head tightly, his body shivering as the memories came flooding back. "Tenzin, talk to me." he said, "I need you to talk to me."
"What?"
"Say something. Anything!"
"What's wrong?"
The images flashed before Zaheer's eyes, the scene that haunted him forever before his ears rang with the sound of a baby crying. He got back to his feet and looked around. "Rose? Rose, is that you?"
Tenzin knew he was seeing visions of his deceased daughter. He had to snap him back to his senses. Tenzin quickly gripped the man's shoulders, shaking him rapidly. "Zaheer, snap out of it! Your daughter isn't' here anymore, you have to keep your head if we're going to find Jinora."
"No!" he angrily shoved Tenzin aside, "I lost her once, I'm not going to lose her again!" he cried out before running at top speed into the fog, with Tenzin calling out to him.
"No! Zaheer! Lin! Come back!"
Tenzin began airbending the fog away in both directions, in hopes of finding his friends, but it was futile for the fog returned. He doubled his power to dissipate the fog, but it still returned, leaving him alone before he was obscured by the fog.
"Zaheer! Lin! No…no."
(~)
Korra and the others helped Mako to stand back up, and wipe away some of the drool from his body while Unalaq rushed to his son, holding him in his arms. The young prince opened his eyes upon seeing his father's face.
"Father?"
"Desna. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I never should have gotten you and your sister involved in this."
"Where is Eska?"
To answer his question, P'Li carried her in her arms before gently lowering her down before the chief. The princess looked at her father with great sadness, which only brought tears to Unalaq's eyes. An air of silence surrounded the three before the twins initiated action and hugged their father, who was taken aback by their response. He thought they would hate him after what happened…but they didn't. They still loved him, despite all that has happened. Unalaq finally returned the gesture and embraced his children, just as he should have done long ago.
"Aww, how touching." Yuki and Vaatu's voice was heard from above. The sinister woman's body now hovered above them all, smiling arrogantly with her arms crossed. "The family's back together again. And just in time to witness the dawning of a new era, one in which I will lead all as the new Avatar!"
Korra immediately stood before the woman, "Well I'm the old Avatar and my era's not over yet!"
With a wave of her hands, Korra commanded the winds to rise up up towards the dark Avatar, who aimed at her. Both of their hands extending, Yuki with an energy beam in her hand and Korra with one of ice and snow in hers. The two girls collided, creating a massive shockwave across the land. The impact caused Yuki to fall back but readjusted herself in time to witness Korra coming at her while ridding on the winds like no airbender could do.
Tonraq stepped forward in an attempt to help his daughter but was stopped by P'Li. "No. This is her fight now."
The two opposing Avatars flew all around the area, aiming more and more blasts at the other. Yuki flew on her own while Korra flew on the winds. One of her blasts managed to make Korra lose control and fall, only to command the vines to rise up one by one for her to use as stairs to run towards Yuki. From her hand, Korra released rays of lightning at the dark creature, who maneuvered her efforts.
The two were evenly matched.
(~)
Tenzin couldn't find his friends anywhere. He looked and looked but there was no sign of them He knew that if he had a chance of ever escaping, he had to keep his head in the game.
"You must stay focused." he said to himself. "Remember who you are Tenzin. You are the son of Avatar Aang. You are the hope for future generations of airbenders…but what if I fail? Then your father's hopes of the future dies with you. I can't fail. You will."
Tenzin knew the fog was at work. He was starting to fall victim to it's influence. He covered his ears while sagging to the ground, arguing with himself. "Ah, stop it! I am the son of Avatar Aang. I am the hope for future generations of airbenders. I am the son of Avatar Aang."
Tenzin stopped his ranting when she saw something manifest before his eyes. He recognized the figure anywhere.
"Hello, my son."
Tenzin never believed he would see his father again. And now that he has, he felt like the failure he always feared he would become. "Dad, I've failed you. I am no spiritual leader, and I've let the world down. I'll never be the man you were."
"You are right." Aang said. Tenzin looked at his father in shock, but he then realized that his father did not sound disappointed when he said this. "You are trying to hold on to a false perception of yourself. You are not me and you should not try to be me. Don't lose heart, my son. Through your outer self is waisting away, your inner self is being renewed day by day." Tenzin could feel the tears falling from his eyes upon hearing his father's words. "I love you, Tenzin. Let the Light show you who you truly are."
A puff of smoke engulfed Aang, when it disappeared, he became a reflection of Tenzin. It was then that the airbender finally realized where he had gone wrong. He was trying to be something he wasn't. He was Tenzin; a father, a husband, a mentor, a friend, a brother, and a son. He was him, not his father. He was trying to base his worth on a false image. His goal should not have been to be like somebody else, but to fight for something greater than himself. That was exactly what his father did in his youth, and it was that example he needed to follow.
"I am not a reflection of my father." he said with much determination, "To him, my family and my friends, I am Tenzin. I am Tenzin!"
As he spoke, a glow of light illuminated the sky, dissipating the fog. Tenzin did it, he overcame the darkness and found himself. He looked around in amazement, scanning the surroundings, he saw many people all lost and alone, silent. He then spotted a young girl in orange and yellow clothing and dark brown hair. His heart leaped with joy.
"Jinora!"
Tenzin rushed to hug his daughter, who was kneeling dejectedly before carrying her. He then found his other friends, who had succumbed to the effects of the fog, and lead them out of the valley. He tugged onto the vine he still had around his waist and Varrick began pulling onto the vine until he saw the others finally exit the foggy canyon. Once they were all safely out, the fog returned. Lin slowly regained consciousness and looked round, confused and dazed.
"Hu? What happened?"
"Tenzin saved us." Zaheer said with a smile, "Thank you."
Jinora's eyes fluttered open and smiled when she saw her father. "Dad."
"You'll be okay sweetie. I'm here." father and daughter embraced in a warm hug. Then, a butterfly spirit with shimmering pink wings flew down on Jinora's hand. Its wings shimmering with rainbow colors. Lin and Zaheer, even Varrick, joined in the hug, as Tenzin silently enjoyed the warm embrace.
(~)
It would seem as if this battle would never end. Korra and Yuki continuously send blast after blast at the other, but both were incredibly fast, agile and skilled. A fight like this could take years until a victor would surface. But Yuki had no time for that, and neither did Korra.
Korra summersaulted as Yuki continued throwing blast after blast at Korra and the young girl glided gracefully across the snow. She leaped forwards, hurling blasts of fire at the dark spirit woman, who shielded herself with her dark energy. She released another blast at Korra, one of which she managed to grab with her hand as if it were a long ribbon and used it to hurl Yuki down to the ground, where she collapsed. Yuki still held onto the energy beam, as did Korra on her end, and created a beam of her own with her free arm and aimed it at Yuki, who, just like Korra, grabbed it herself.
Seeing this, the others couldn't stand by anymore and rushed to help her. Seeing this, Yuki stomped her foot and blasted the team away with a shockwave across the ground, keeping them at bay with a force field of her own, leaving her to fight with her opponent.
Both girls tried to overpower the others with their respected beams, controlling them with their arms, and Korra swinging hers at Yuki. The dark avatar then managed to take control of Korra's beams, pulling her towards her. The two Avatars dragged themselves towards the center. Korra sneered, her eyes glowing pearl white.
Then Yuki's head began to crick to the sides, his mouth opened and out came a dark purple aura, it was Vaatu. Mako, Tonraq and the others tried to break through the force field but none of their attacks had any lasting effects. They were powerless to help their friend.
Korra opened her mouth to create fire and unleash it at Yuki, but Vaatu took the chance and stuck his gooey tentacles onto Korra's face, entering her mouth. Korra could feel the energy being drained away as she slowly got down on her knees. Her eyes still glowed, but as Vaatu departed from her face, he took with him what appeared to be a bright light from her mouth. The spirit of Raava!
"He's got the light spirit!" Bolin exclaimed as he tried to pound the force field with his fist to no avail.
Once all of Raava's light was pulled out, Korra collapsed in defeat. As she laid on the snow, witnessing Yuki trap Raava into a purple bubble, where Vaatu reentered her body, she grinned viciously. Vaatu finally had Raava in his grasp.
Yuki then tossed Raava to a nearby rock, the image looked similar to that of Vaatu, only white with blue markings. With wicked glee, Yuki through energy blast by energy blast, directly at the light spirit, slamming her harder and harder against a rock.
As Korra struggled to stand up, her eyes widened and she felt as if her chest were in pain. Flashing before her eyes she could see a long line of all the past Avatars. Her heart broke at the sight of one of them disappearing in a patch of light, never to be seen again. She couldn't even feel this Avatar anymore.
Yuki continuously hit Raava again, and again, and again, each time harder than the last, causing the light spirit to disappear bit by bit, and with each piece a new Avatar from Korra's vision faded away. At first, it was just one by one, but now it was several more in a row, happening so quickly Korra could barely keep up.
"Yuki, stop!" Unalaq called out from the other side of the force field.
But the girl ignored her former boss's pathetic cries of desperation and continued to mercilessly hit Raava/
Korra weakly tried to get up, but another strike on Raava caused her to shrink in pain as her vision of Avatars Kuruk, Yangchen as well as others all disappeared the same way the previous did. The next strike led to multiple rows of Avatars being destroyed. Korra couldn't do anything, the pain was too much.
Raava was becoming smaller and smaller with each hit. Yuki readied one final strike and Korra futilely tried to muster sufficient strength to reach Raava. With one final blow, Raava was destroyed, dissipating in a glow of golden light. Tears fell from Korra's eyes as only two Avatar remained.
"Wan…." she whispered before the image of his face disappeared. The next Avatar, was the hardest of all for her to see disappear. "Grandfather…"
She couldn't even move. She didn't want to move. Her grandfather…was gone. They were all gone. She had failed. There was no denying it. There was no bright side.
It was all over.
Yuki started to laugh maniacally as the force field finally gave way and the group quickly rushed over to Korra as the girl's body began to increase in size.
"Yes! The power! The absolute power!" her entire self skyrocketed into the sky, the clouds surrounded her, creating lightning that began to destroy the stones around them. "The universe is mine to command! To control!"
Mako looked up at the mad woman, his eyes burning with so much anger towards her right now. His fists clenching in furry as he held the weakened Korra in his arms.
But the worse was yet to come. Yuki's body became surrounded by a red colored mist. From within, came out what appeared to be, claws, a long snake-like tail and a pair of bat-wings, followed by a blood curling roar. It was at that moment where Tenzin, Zaheer, Lin, Varrick and Jinora arrived to witness the event unfold.
Before their very eyes, a large, sinister looking dark colored dragon with a blood red outline and underbelly appeared before them. Within its chest, was Yuki, floating within the creature, controlling its every move. The wings were as large as its body, the interior glowing red like Vaatu's markings. When the beast opened its mouth, it glowed purple as did its eyes. The beast roared victoriously before flapping its wings and aiming towards the southern spirit portal, still conjoined with the northern portal. Extending her hand from within, Yuki made the dragon creature reach out and touch the portal, its body glowing before being zapped into the portal, traveling back to the human world to wreak its havoc.
All anybody else could do was watch helplessly.
(~)
The spirit lights illuminated the night skyline of Republic City. Police airships an United Forces battleships were deployed to protect the mainland. At Air Temple Island, Pema and her three younger children started up into the sky. Inside a police airship, President Raiko stood by the control, accompanied by Saikan. The president spoke into the intercom. "General Iroh, are your ships in position?"
"Yes, Mr. President." Iroh spoke through the intercom from his own ship. "But I need to know what kind of enemy we're dealing with."
As Iroh spoke, the sky lights lit up in an unusual way, and before their eyes, the Dark Avatar dragon plunged into the sea. Creating powerful waves that pushed back the battle ships around the bay. Yuki spoke from within her beast.
"It's time to take back the physical world." Under her command, the dragon began walking towards the mainland. Iroh and his men witnessed the Dark Avatar approaching.
"Fire!"
The United Forces firebenders attacked the dragon with large fire blasts, but the creature continued walking, unharmed. The dragon lifted up its tail, smashing the waters, sending a massive wave toward the battleships, scattering them. She subsequently walked up to Avatar Aang Memorial Island.
"Monster attack!" Meelo shouted from the balcony, pointing at the large beast near the statue of his late grandfather.
The dragon took hold of the statue in its massive claws, roaring as it brought the statue down, breaking the stone and tossing it into the ocean. Waves crashed beside the creature's legs as the statue of Avatar Aang slowly sank into the water.
Symbolizing the end of the Avatar.
(~)
Korra groaned and opened her eyes once she felt a soft hand touch her face. She recognize it anywhere. Once her vision was clear she saw a pair of soft brown eyes gazing into her own. Korra weakly rose up her hand to caress the child's cheek.
"Jinora?"
"I'm here, Korra."
The Avatar hugged her younger sister tightly, not wanting to let her go. Tenzin kneeled beside his two girls, hugging them tightly as well. He was so relieved to have his girls back. Once the hug ended, Korra looked down in defeat.
"It's over." she said, "He destroyed Raava. There's nothing I can do now."
"That's not true." Tenzin said, "There's got to be a way. You can still defeat Vaatu."
"No, I can't. Vaatu has won."
Bolin began to shake his head frantically, "No. I am too young to live through ten thousand years of darkness! Korra, can't you talk to one of your past lives or something?"
"When Vaatu destroyed Raava he destroyed my connections to the past Avatars too."
Zaheer's eyes widened in horror, "But, that would mean…"
"The cycle is over. I'm the last Avatar." tears began to fall from her eyes as the young woman weeped sadly, covering her face with her hands in shame. "I'm so sorry!" she whipped, only to feel her younger sister's arms around her, followed by the arms of her two fathers, both adopted and biological and then the arms of her aunt. Next, she felt the embrace of her best friend, followed by the two brothers and finally her new companions and the embrace of her uncle and cousins. Everything was lost now, but somehow their embrace eased her heart even if for a moment.
"If we're going to face the end of the world, we're facing it together." Asami said while wiping away a tear from Korra's eyes.
Varrick nodded in agreement, "Yeah, kid. We're with ya till the end!"
Unalaq kneeled before his niece, alongside his children. "There is no excuse for the things I've done. You opened your heart to me and I took advantage of it. I seeked to fill my own heart in my own way, and that only led to my damnation, and I brought my own family into it. I'll understand if you never forgive me, but I will do whatever it takes to help you defeat Vaatu. On this, you have my word."
"Ours as well." said Desna, hanging his head.
Eska dared to look at her cousin, "All this time, I thought I was envious of you because of your beauty and your companions. Now I see it was because I could never have had the same amount of compassion and humility as you. You truly are a Princess at Heart, Korra. I'm sorry."
Tenzin placed his hand on Korra's shoulder, gazing into her eyes. "I know I wasn't always the best father to you, it's now I realize I had a lot of spiritual growth to do myself. I'm sorry for being too protective. You are your own person Korra, and your own Avatar. I always tried to teach you what I knew, but really…you were the one who taught me."
Next, Tonraq placed his hand on her shoulder as well. "You were sent to that island to remind you of what's really important, the same way it did for us. That light you found, it's still inside of you. Raava or no, you are more blessed than you realize Korra."
"We love you, Korra" Bolin said, "And Unalaq's right, we'll stop this together."
"How can you guys still be so optimistic?" Korra asked in disbelief, "And now of all times?"
"Hey, we're all still here." said P'Li, "I'd say that's a pretty good sign in my book."
As Korra looked on at the hopeful faces of her friends and family, something ignited from within her. Something she thought Vaatu had taken from her. It was burning brighter than any star in the sky. It was Hope.
Suddenly, Korra gripped the pendant around her neck, which started to glow brightly. Korra stood up and saw the pendant suddenly floating in front of her, pinging to her left. Korra spun around and realized the pendant was pointing at the tree of time. It was as if it wanted her to follow it. Korra did as the pendant asked and walked on towards the tree, with her friends and family close behind. They didn't know what to make of this, but they thought best not to question, at least not now.
Once Korra was only a few feet away from the tree itself, she felt the pendant shimmer as if trying to communicate with her in some way. She could have sworn she heard a voice coming from inside the tree. A voice she had never heard before, but one she felt she recognized.
"Raava?"
From within the opening of the tree, from where Vaatu was imprisoned, the group could see what appeared to be a shimmering light. The light reached Korra and her pupils disappeared and her irises suddenly became a bright cyan blue. Asami noticed this and waved a hand in front of her friend's face, but saw no reaction whatsoever. It was as if she were in a trance.
Korra began to walk further towards the tree, the vines around growing and serving as stairs for Korra to walk on until she reached the opening. The others followed, also using the stair vines until they reached the opening. There appeared to be some kind of shimmering pool that sparkled like stardust. The interior of the tree was massive, almost like the size of Asami's estate, and at the very centerpiece, high above was the bright light. Korra stepped forwards, her foot touching the surface of the water and not sinking. The Avatar walked on the waters, shimmering ripples forming with every step she took as she walked towards the light, her gaze held on it and her pendant still floating in front of her.
The light began to take on a new form. The form of a human. A human woman with skin as pale as a ghost, hair as white as now and eyes identical to the pupilless cyan orbs Korra now possessed. The others couldn't believe their own eyes. Tonraq knew who this woman was.
"Who is that?" Bolin asked.
"That's the spirit who fought for the Light." Tonraq replied, "That's Raava."
"How is that possible?" Lin asked in disbelief as the spirit of Raava descended downwards to Korra.
The woman extended her hand, caressing the child's cheek. Her mouth began to move as if informing her of something. To everyone else, her voice was mute, but for Korra, she could hear her perfectly.
"Korra, don't be afraid. For centuries, my powers have been aiding avatars, inspiring them on their quest to restore peace to the broken world. However, my time is limited. After many years, my battle is nearly complete. The power of the Light continues to shine for you and your loved ones, that is why Vaatu never truly destroyed me. I merely took refuge here in the tree of time and called on you. He has weekend me, my child. My powers are not as they once were. I served as a warrior of the Light, now it is your turn to do so. You can still defeat Vaatu, but you can't do it alone. The Lion Turtle bestowed upon you a gift. One he knew you would need. If I give you the last of my power, you can use it to defeat the darkness. However, it comes at a great cost. It was the same sacrifice I did to save Wan and the world all those years ago. This power will be great for you, and you may not return alive."
"What's she saying?" Varrick asked. The others couldn't comprehend what Raava was saying, but Jinora could.
"She's telling Korra there's a way to defeat Vaatu." she explained, "The Lion Turtle gave her a gift that, with the last of Raava's powers, she can defeat him…but, if she does…"
"What?" Mako asked with worry, "If she does, what?"
"If she agrees…she might not come back."
"What?!"
"She can't do that!" Asami exclaimed.
"It's the only way." Jinora said.
"No, there has to be another!" Lin said desperately.
Jinora looked at them all with regret. "There isn't."
The entire group shared the same expressions of sorrow and fear. Korra would have to give up her own life for the sake of the world. She would perish if it meant saving everyone from darkness. They wanted to protest, but they wouldn't dare intervene with the conversation Korra was having with Raava.
"Do you accept, child?"
Korra did not say a word. She only nodded without even so much as as second thought. Raava nodded her head in agreement and touched Korra's pendant, which shimmered brightly. The light within the tree expanded, surrounding the interior with bright lights that floated all around and began lifting Korra's body upwards. Her hair and cloths rising and moving as if she were underwater and her body spun around slowly as the glowing lights circled around her. Each one attached to her body and each touch expanded across her entire body, covering her in a blinding white light. The others shielded themselves from the blinding light, squinting their eyes as they watched Korra's body begin to shift.
Her short silvery hair moved around like never-ending waves and her cloths had changed. She now wore a shimmering white corset styled like a neck collar halter top around her shoulders. The collar was styled tightly around her neck, cut into the form of a V shape, and a long lacy light cyan gown flowed from behind her, moving like a wave. The corset had the markings of Raava imprinted on them. She wore a pair of dark blue pants that reached her knees and white barefoot sandals adorned with pearls. Around her forehead she wore a simple silvery tiara, wrapped elegantly around her forehead with two small teardrop shaped pearls on opposite sides and a star-shaped gem as the center piece. On her arms were the markings of Raava as well as around her face, mixing with the tiara.
Once the transformation was complete, Korra opened her eyes, which were still bright cyan just like Raava's. Mako felt his heart would break. As beautiful as the sight was, he knew what it meant. This might as well be the last time he would ever see her.
Korra's body landed onto the water, glowing brightly in a heavenly glow as she made her way towards the opening and bypassing the others. Her gaze unflinching as she did. Mako reached out to touch her one last time, but was stopped by Bolin, who shook his head at his brother.
Korra reached the southern portal and reached out her hand, touching it. In a blinding flash, Korra's body disappeared into the portal, traveling at the speed of light to face the beast.
(~)
The epic climax is upon us. One of Biblical proportions, if you know what I mean. One more chapter left and this story will come to a close.
Until then, God bless *kiss kiss*