The Avatar and The Destroyer of Worlds
Chapter One
The Arrival of the Seeker and the Destroyer
Republic City
A Few Days Later
The Jasmine Dragon
Seated at their favorite table, Korra and her friends continued their discussion involving the young female Avatar's continuing dreams involving the planet killer known as Galactus. It seemed no matter what she tried, even going as far as contacting Avatar Aang through her spiritual connection with her past incarnations, Korra found herself unable to stop dreaming about the supposed arrival of the Devourer of Worlds. And the scary thing was... the dreams were becoming more and more realistic & frightening to her.
Korra would never forget those fiery eyes, burning with vast cosmic energies that were beyond comprehension. She could only begin to imagine the conscience of such a being, one that existed to extinguish the life force of all living things. She couldn't seem to shake Galactus' presence from her mind. It was almost as if she were connected to him through some unexplainable telepathic link! She couldn't understand why, for how was it possible for her to have such a link with an entity of vast omnipotence?
"Maybe they're just dreams, Korra.", Mako remarked with a shrug of his shoulders.
"No, they're not. I've seen him, Mako. He's real and he's coming to destroy the world. I don't know when exactly... only that it will be soon.", Korra stated solemnly.
"Well, what does Tenzin think?", Asami asks.
"He's not sure. But if you ask me, I think he knows that these dreams... these visions that I've been having... are real.", Korra answered, releasing a sigh of frustration before lightly slamming her fists upon the table.
"Don't worry about it, Kor. I'm sure everything will be fine. I mean, if this Galactus shows up, you can just go Avatar on him.", Bolin said, relaxed and optimistic as always.
"Yeah... but from what Aang told me, that's not gonna work on Galactus.", Korra retorted, crossing her arms and leaning back against her seat.
"Eh. I'm sure you'll find a way to beat him. You took down Amon, remember? I mean, how bad could this Galactus be?", Bolin replied, seemingly unaware that his pet fire ferret Pabu was currently lapping up his beverage.
"If you could see what I've seen, Bolin... if you've actually seen Galactus, like I have, you wouldn't...", Korra began to speak only to become silent.
Suddenly, Korra's eyes began to glow a blinding lightning white, as if she were about to enter the Avatar state. Then, just as suddenly as her eyes began to glow, they returned to their normal shade of arctic blue. Her breathing was slightly labored, her eyes wide as dinner plates and filled with an emotion that she rarely displayed... fear.
"Korra? Are you okay?", Asami asked, concern evident in her voice.
"What's wrong?", Bolin added, catching Korra in his arms as she attempted to rise only to nearly collapse down to her knees on the floor.
"Korra... what is it?", Mako asks, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Galactus... he's almost here!", Korra declared, breaking free from Bolin's arms and rushing out of the establishment at top speed.
Korra came to a stop outside the Jasmine Dragon, her eyes noticing a silver stream of light in the sky, its speed greater than any machine or animal was capable of achieving. Mako, Bolin and Asami soon came rushing out of the establishment, their attention solely focused on that of their friend. It wasn't long before their eyes too looked to the heavens, watching as the silver stream of light raced across the sky. Then, suddenly, the silver stream of light turned and raced towards them.
"Everyone! Move!", Mako shouted in order.
Everyone braced for the impact of the silver star, Korra and Mako taking cover under a nearby jewelry stand, while Bolin, Asami and Pabu took cover by a fruit stand. However, the star did not crash, instead it stopped just above the street. The glowing silver light eventually vanished as it transcended to the streets below, revealing not a star, but a man whose flesh was that of a metallic silver.
He stood atop a board which hovered off the ground, levitating as it were empowered by some unknown force. His body was muscular, his height just above six-feet tall and his weight around that of two-hundred-fifty pounds. Like the silver flesh that covered his seemingly naked form, his eyes were also that of a silver hue. The people looked upon the silver being, in awe of what he is, unknowing of what his presence meant to this world. He was the Seeker, the Herald and the Messenger of the Ravager of Worlds.
"Who is that?", Asami asked, unable to tear her gaze from the silver being.
"I have no idea.", Bolin answered even as Pabu appeared on the top of his head and began munching on a piece of fruit.
"Is that Galactus?", Mako questioned, arching an eyebrow as he and Korra got up from the jewelry stand.
"No. Just his messenger.", Korra informed, narrowing her eyes as she focused on the Sentinel of the Spaceways.
"Humans, your world is about to end. I take no pleasure in telling you this. For I once was a man, as human as any one of you, until Galactus threatened to consume my homeworld of Zenn-La. I offered myself to Galactus, hoping to save my world from destruction... and the woman I love from death's cold embrace. He accepted my offer, and by using a mere fraction of the Power Cosmic, Galactus transformed me into the being whom you now see before your very eyes. I am the Silver Surfer, Herald of Galactus, Devourer of Worlds.", The Silver Surfer announced, standing atop his board as he hovered several feet from the ground.
Without hesitation, Korra marched towards the Silver Surfer, a fierce determination and rage coursing through her. She wasn't going to allow her world to end, she wasn't going to allow Galactus to destroy everything and everyone that she cherished and loved... not if she could stop it! And what better way to get the message across than to take out the messenger and send him crawling back to his master?
"Is that so? Well, my name is Korra. I'm the Avatar. And as for Galactus... you can tell him... to get lost!", Korra shouted, getting right in the Surfer's face.
"I can sense your anger, Avatar Korra. But I beg of you, do not resort to actions that you'll only regret.", The Silver Surfer pleaded, his voice as gentle as a summer breeze.
"Too late for that!", Korra countered, cracking her knuckles.
"Attacking me will not cease the arrival of my Master, nor will it save you from his wrath if you are foolish enough to seek a war with one who consumes entire worlds.", The Silver Surfer informs, trying to disuade the hot-tempered female from engaging him in battle.
"Whatever.", Korra scoffed before unleashing her first attack.
Before the Silver Surfer could utter another word, Korra unleashes a powerful burst of lightning from her fingertips that proceeded to slam into the Surfer's chest. The force of the blow knocks the Surfer from his board, sending his form crashing through the streets, his silver metal-like flesh covered body tearing up vast amounts of earth and concrete until he eventually came to a stop. Rising from the rubble virtually unscathed, the Silver Surfer got his feet, his silver-hued irises noticing Korra advancing towards him to make another attack.
"Madness.", Silver Surfer uttered to himself, his peaceful and pacifistic nature keeping him from striking back at the young Avatar who closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds.
Using her firebending, Korra unleashes a barrage of fire bolts upon the Sentinel of the Spaceways, determined to inflict some serious harm upon Galactus' Seeker. However, she never considered or knew that the Surfer's silver flesh could easily withstand the heat of supernova-level intensity without damage. Nevertheless, it didn't stop Korra from her devastating assault!
Getting up close and personal, Korra decides to use a combination of her firebending and physical attacks in an attempt to overwhelm and overpower the Surfer. Lashing out with a flaming spinning kick, Korra sends the Surfer crashing back through one of the nearby buildings, which was thankfully vacant of any civilians who might be endangered by this battle.
Using her airbending to send her soaring high into the air, Korra prepares to finish off the Surfer with a powerful sledgehammer blow of her fiery fists. The impact was nothing short of devastating, the surrounding earth shattering all around the two combatants, Korra's earthbending causing jagged spikes to erupt from the ground. The dust eventually dissipates, revealing Korra and the Silver Surfer amidst the crater that their conflict created, their hands locked in a test of strength.
Korra couldn't believe how powerful the Silver Surfer was, his strength easily surpassing that of her own, yet he seemed to be holding back. It was almost like he only wished to match her in combat, as if resisting the urge to unleash the true extent of his powers and abilities upon her. But why? Could it be that the Herald of Galactus valued life just as much as herself?
"Please. Stop.", The Silver Surfer pleaded, forcing Korra down to one knee.
"Not... gonna... happen!", Korra snarled between clenched teeth, rising back up to her feet and delivering a thunderous uppercut to the Surfer's jaw.
Using her formidable earthbending skills, Korra uproots massive chunks of strata from the earth before launching them at the silver-skinned Herald. She is surprised when her earth-based missiles are destroyed before they make contact, blasted into oblivion by cosmic energies that the Surfer unleashed from his hands. She ceased her attacks, partially to take a brief rest and to also plan her next method of attack.
"I do not wish to fight you, Avatar Korra.", The Silver Surfer proclaimed, lowering his glowing hands.
"Then tell your master to leave our planet alone!", Korra countered, firmly standing her ground.
"That is one thing that I cannot do. I've betrayed Galactus before... and I cannot do it again... I will not do it again!", The Silver Surfer exclaimed, knowing that such an act will jeopardize his world and the woman he still loved.
"Then I'll just have to send him a message myself!", Korra said with a smirk.
Lunging to the side, Korra slams the palms of her hands against the Surfer's abdomen before unleashing a powerful blast of air that sends the Herald of Galactus soaring through the air. After smashing through a dozen homes, the Silver Surfer finally came to a stop. Sensing that there was no way of reasoning with the hot-headed, defiant female Avatar, Norrin decided that he was left with no choice but to defend himself.
"So be it. To me, my board!", The Silver Surfer commanded, summoning his cosmic board that he uses to sail the cosmos.
Korra barely managed to dodge to the side in time to avoid the board striking her. She watched as the board came to a stop, allowing the Surfer to climb atop it. It appeared that he was trying to escape! But she wasn't finished with him... not by a long shot! She intended to inflict a whole lot more punishment until she was too exhausted to fight any more or until Galactus' Seeker fell before her in defeat.
"No. You're not getting away from me!", Korra shouted, leaping at the Silver Surfer just as his board began moving, its speed faster than anything Korra had ever experienced before.
Korra continued to fight the Surfer atop his board, paying no mind to the surroundings that blurred past them, her fiery fists painfully striking his silver metal-like flesh. She could swear that her knuckles were bleeding, but she paid no attention to her pain or her minor wounds as she vented her rage upon the Sentinel of the Spaceways. She felt a hand grasp her throat and lift her off the board, the hand of the Silver Surfer himself. Suddenly, the board came to a stop over the harbor where Korra found herself at the mercy of the Silver Surfer as he held her in the air.
"I could destroy you, but I will not. Let the cool waters of your world embrace you.", The Silver Surfer said as he released his grip, his voice gentle and devoid of any malice.
Korra fell to the blue waters of the harbor below, her body creating a large splash upon entering the element that she was most familiar and comfortable with. She would defeat the Herald of Galactus, even if she had to resort to going into the Avatar state to accomplish it! She wouldn't allow herself to be defeated! She would not back down! She would not give up on her world and her people!
"Haven't you heard? Water is my element. Then again... Water, Earth, Fire and Air are all my elements!", Korra quiped, her waterbending abilities keeping her in the air in order to be face-to-face with the Sentinel of the Spaceways.
"Your power is impressive for a mortal. But it will not save you. It will not matter.", The Silver Surfer informed with a grimace.
"Oh, yeah? Why's that?", Korra inquired, a confident smirk gracing her features.
"Because my Master has arrived.", The Silver Surfer stated, averting his eyes to the heavens.
The heavens split open as a massive circular ship appeared, its massive size equal to that of a small planet. The shadow of Galactus' Stat Sphere temporarily blocked out the sun, casting darkness over Republic City and the beyond. Then, without warning, three gigantic machines shot out of the Star Sphere and smash into the city below, causing thousands to scream and run in sheer panic.
Korra's eyes focused on the massive Star Sphere, her mind at a loss for words at what she was now witnessing. It stole her breath away, instilling fear within even her courageous heart. Then her eyes began to glow a brilliant shade of azure-white, her mind echoing with the voices of all her past incarnations. They've sensed his presence. She felt his presence.
He finally appeared for Korra and all of Republic City to see, levitating down from his Star Sphere until he was firmly planted on the earth's soil. He was a gigantic humanoid being, equal in height to Avatar Aang's immense monument. Dark violet and azure armor covered his entire form. A unique helmet that supported two antler-like horns that adorned the helmet, one on each side of the helmet, encased his skull. His eyes held no emotion, completely devoid of it, yet they would briefly glow with cosmic vast energy.
He was everything that Korra had seen in her visions. She couldn't help herself as she felt instilled with both awe and fear at the mere sight of him. He was a cosmic God. A Universal force of nature.
The Destroyer of Worlds.
Galactus.
"Master, I hope you are pleased. This planet is rich with the energies that are capable of sustaining you for years.", The Silver Surfer said, annoucing his presence to Galactus by flying within his range of sight.
"Excellent. You may leave, my Herald. I have no more need of you on this day. Go forth, Silver Surfer! Seek other planets within this universe that will sate my unending hunger.", Galactus responds, his voice making the very air tremble.
"As you wish, mighty Galactus.", The Silver Surfer oblidged, bowing his head before streaming high into the sky and out of sight.
Galactus turns his mighty head, his emotionless eyes glancing at the surroundings of this unique world. If he can hear the screams of fear, the panic of thousands of benders and non-benders alike within Republic City, he does not seem to notice nor care. For what are these mere mortals to Galactus? They're nothing. Less than nothing.
For a brief moment, Korra could swear that Galactus made eye contact with her before he moved on, walking towards the three massive pillar-like machines. She fought back her fear, smashing it down until it no longer existed. She knew what was at stake. The world, her people, her friends and everyone else was counting on her to save it from destruction. She had to meet with Tenzin, Mako, Bolin and Asami to discuss what had to be done.
She had to tell them before she took action. There was only one option available to her. She was going to have to face Galactus!
To Be Continued...
Author's Notes
In our next chapter, Avatar Korra will finally confront Galactus himself!
Now, we all know that Korra isn't going to back down to anyone, not even to Galactus. Still, one has to wonder how she'll handle the situation. Will she take Aang's advice and try a different method against the Devourer of Worlds? Or will she go in fighting against an omnipotent force of the universe? She's the most powerful bender on the planet, but even with all of her power... how is she going to be able to take on Galactus?
All will be revealed in the upcoming chapters!
Side Note:
I'm searching for someone who would willingly like to be the artist for this story and create a comicbook version of this story. I know there is tons of talented people who love The Legend of Korra, Marvel Comics, and/or are fans of both out there. So, if you're interested, please feel free to send me a message whenever you get the chance!