The Avatar and The Destroyer of Worlds
Chapter Two
Conversation, Conflict, and the Challenge
Republic City
Air Temple Island
Moving across the water of the harbor with the greatest of ease, Korra eventually landed on Air Temple Island. It was there that she was soon greeted by her airbending master Tenzin, his wife Pema and their four children, and eventually her friends Mako, Bolin and Asami who arrived thanks to a little transportation from her polar bear-dog Naga. They all stood and watched on as Galactus worked on his machines, paying no attention to the lesser beings who looked upon him in utter awe and fear.
"Korra, I'm so sorry I ever doubted your visions. You were right. Galactus is a whole new definition of scary!", Bolin said meekly, breaking the silence.
"It's okay, Bolin.", Korra replied, her voice gentle and understanding.
"So... now what do we do?", Asami asks, looking at her friends, hoping that one of them had an answer.
"Isn't it obvious? We attack! Send a message to General Iroh & Bumi's fleets and every other fleet we have at our disposal! Tell them to come to Republic City and be ready to engage Galactus! Perhaps they can...", Mako proclaimed only to be silenced by the Avatar herself.
"No, Mako! That won't work! It'll only bring more death! No force on this planet can harm Galactus!", Korra interjected furiously, having no wish to send countless innocents to their deaths.
"Then what do you suggest? We can't let him destroy the world! We have to stop him! There must be a way!", Mako exclaimed, frustration and a sense of helplessness seeping out his voice.
"There is.", Tenzin stated with a slight grimace.
"What do you mean?", Bolin inquired, confusion evident in his voice.
It was then that Tenzin averted his eyes to Korra, causing all of them to focus on the young female Avatar. She was the spirtual embodiment of this world, the most powerful bender on the planet. If there was anyone who had the slightest chance of saving their world from destruction, it could only be her. But against Galactus, a being whose power was beyond measurement, a being who's one of the fundamental forces of this and every universe in existence, what could she possibly accomplish?
"Korra?", Mako said in a voice just short of a whisper.
"I have to face him. I'm going to confront Galactus.", Korra finally answered with determination, her arctic-blue irises narrowing as they foucsed on the Ravager of Worlds.
"Whoa! Wait! You're going to take on Galactus?", Bolin almost shouted in exclaimation, looking at his friend as if she had just lost her mind.
"Korra, that's insane! You said it yourself. No force in this world can stop Galactus! Not even you! What could you hope to accomplish?", Mako questioned, grabbing Korra by her shoulders and looking deeply into her eyes.
"I... I don't know. All I know is that I have to try. There's nothing else that can be done. I have to do this.", Korra responded as she freed herself from Mako's grip, knowing what had to be done.
"Are you really going to fight Galactus?", Asami asked, her mind unwilling to believe that Korra would resort to such a tactic.
"No... not if I don't have to. I'm going to try to reason with him.", Korra said in reply, remembering what Avatar Aang told her in her visions.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Korra?", Tenzin questioned, concern evident on his features and that of his wife and children.
"Yes, I'm sure.", Korra answered with a slight nod.
She was about to proceed on her mission, coming to a stop only to look at her loved ones for one last time. Before she could say anything, Bolin rushed forward and embrace her in his arms, squeezing her for all she was worth. He was soon followed by Asami, Jinora, Ikki and Meelo who each proceeded to hug their beloved friend one last time. The last to approach her were Tenzin and Mako, the elderly airbender who was like that of a father to her and the young firebender who captured her heart.
"Good luck and be safe, Korra.", Tenzin offered her, a light smile forming on his face as he faced his pupil.
"I will, Sifu Tenzin.", Korra replied with a smile of her own, bowing briefly before her master and father-figure.
"Promise that you'll come back... alive?", Mako asked her hesitantly.
"I promise.", Korra answered, leaning in close to drop a quick affectionate kiss on his cheek.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Korra took off in a run before leaping into the waters of the harbor, diving into the element that she was most comfortable in. Then, using a combination of her air and waterbending, Korra propels herself through the waters at an astounding speed, making her way towards the towering cosmic space-god known as Galactus. She would have to get to a high enough vantage point in order to make the bold attempt to establish contact between herself and the Planet Killer. And what better place than atop one of his towering machines?
Scaling one of the machines by using her airbending to race to the very top, Korra found herself exactly where she wanted to be... where she could be at eye-level with the Devourer of Worlds. She watched as Galactus worked on his machines, their complexity beyond anything that the greatest human minds in existence could even begin to understand. She was exactly were she wanted to be, the perfect place to establish communication between herself and Galactus. It was now or never. There was be no turning back. Summoning all of her courage, Korra began to speak out to the Ravager of Worlds, secretly hoping that he would be willing to respond.
"Um... hello! Can you hear me? I need to talk to you!", Korra began, almosting shouting at the cosmic god.
There was no response from Galactus, who continued his work on the machines. Korra couldn't understand it. She was plenty loud enough for him to hear her. He was close enough to hear her, yet for some reason Galactus acted as if she wasn't even there. It didn't make any sense to her. Unless...
He's ignoring me? He's ignoring me! I can't believe it! Okay, I don't care who he is, nobody ignores me! He's gonna talk... one way or another, because I'm not giving up! Korra thought with deep determination, inhaling deeply as she prepared her next course of action.
"GALACTUS!", Korra shouted at the top of her lungs.
This time Galactus did respond to her voive, though Korra didn't know whether to acknowledge this as a positive or a negative outcome. The immense shadowy silhouette of Galactus fell upon Korra, startling her ever so slightly as she took a few steps backwards before regaining her composure. Galactus focused his attention upon her, his glowing eyes gleaming with azure cosmic energies, his very gaze seemingly capable of piercing Korra's very soul. Korra could feel her heartbeat increase, but she somehow managed to keep any hint of intimidation or fear from appearing on her lovely visage.
"Who dares to call out my name?", Galactus demanded, his voice like that of a thunderous storm capable of splitting the sky like lightning and making the heavens and the earth tremble.
"Uh... My name is Korra... I'm the Avatar and protector of this world.", Korra stated in greeting.
"Your words, like your self-proclaimed title, mean nothing to me. What is it that you want?", Galactus responds, narrowing his fiery azure eyes at the young female Avatar.
"I... I want to talk to you. That's all I want.", Korra ansered, standing her ground for the moment.
"And why should Galactus waste his time speaking to a mere mortal speck?", Galactus inquired in a bored tone of voice.
"Oh, I don't know. Could it be because it... actually matters! Doesn't it bother you that you're going to destroy an entire world, a world populated by many, many, many innocent people that'll die in the process? Or are you just a giant, heartless, evil monster that takes a sick pleasure out of doing it?", Korra exclaims at the top of her lungs, fearlessly shouting up at the towering cosmic god.
Korra felt no fear, only an unbridled rage coursing through her veins. She would not be intimidated by anyone, not even Galactus! She would not back down, not even to the Devourer of Worlds! Her world was in danger, and that alone forced her to overcome her fear and allow her to face the one being whose power was nigh-omnipotent.
"You would dare to judge me? I am beyond your concepts of good and evil. I hold no malice toward you, your world or its people, for I merely do what I must to survive. And for Galactus to survive, Galactus must consume planets which contain the life-sustaining energies that will sate my unending hunger. If I do not consume, then I will die. And if Galactus dies, the balance of the universe will become corrupt, eventually resulting in the end of existence itself. This I cannot allow, for just as I existed before creation, so shall Galactus be there at its end. No matter how many worlds I consume... no matter how many civilizations I destroy... it is my destiny to one day give back to the Universe infinitely more than I have ever taken.", Galactus explained, somehow managing to restrain himself from destroying the insolent child that stood defiantly before him.
"Oh, yeah? Well, I'm the Avatar! And do you know what that means? It means that I can bend the four elements: water, earth, fire and air! It means that I'm the most powerful being on this planet! And most importantly, it means that I'm the protector of this world and its people! And I'll fight anyone or anything, including you, in order to keep it safe!", Korra countered fiercely, not backing down an inch to the Ravager of Worlds.
"What you speak of is true, young Avatar, but in all the cosmos... I stand alone! I am Galactus! I am older than the oldest star that burns, older than this or any other universe in existence. I have watched creation itself blossom from nothingness. I am infinite power incarnate! I am the beginning and the end of all things!", Galactus booms in declaration, raising his massive fists that soon glowed with immensely powerful cosmic energies, power capable of extinguishing the life of all things mortal and immortal alike.
"And you think that makes me afraid of you?", Korra questions, arching a challenging eyebrow.
"You would be foolish not to fear me, child.", Galactus said in reply, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Well, then call me foolish, 'cause I'm not afraid of you, Galactus! And I'm certainly not afraid to fight you, either!", Korra stated with courageous defiance.
"The insect grows bold.", Galactus chuckled in the slightest of amusement.
"What did you call me?", Korra growled out between clenched teeth.
"Your threats mean nothing to me. For despite all of your power, young Avatar, you are nothing. And you are of no threat to me.", Galactus stated.
"Oh, that's it! I'm warning you for the last time, Galactus! You can either leave this world peacefully... or I can make you leave! The choice is yours to make! Either way, if you want to destroy my world, you're going to have to go through me to do it!", Korra shouted at the towering Planet Killer.
"Little Avatar... Begone! Return to your loved ones, spend your remaining hours with those whom you love and cherish, and trouble Galactus no more!", Galactus orders before turning his attention back to one of his three machines.
Korra felt her blood boil, her angering spiking to dangerous levels. She'd tried to accomplish this through peaceful terms, trying to reason with Galactus in vain. He left Korra with no alternative. She knew that she'd have to fight the Devourer of Worlds, though a part of her knew that this was a fight that not even she could win. But she wouldn't give up, she wouldn't back down. She would save her world... or die trying!
Summoning her earthbending, Korra manages to rip two house-sized chunks of rock and strata from the earth below and proceeded to levitate it high into the air. Then, with but a gesture, she launches them towards Galactus. The two missiles smash against Galactus' helmet encased skull, the impact echoing throughout all of Republic City.
Korra waited for a response, the dust disappearing to reveal that Galactus was completely unscathed by her attack! She couldn't believe it. That attack alone was devastating enough to level a mountainside, yet Galactus shrugged it off as if it were nothing! It was comparable to her throwing a grain of rice at a komodo-rhino and expecting it to be harmed by it!
Nonetheless, she did manage to accomplish one thing. Korra had gained the undivided attention of Galactus once again, who turned his head and body back to focus on the young female Avatar. He was not amused, his expression one of utter outrage and sheer annoyance. Galactus' patience was wearing thin, especially in regards to the defiance of this one mere mortal who dared to defy him.
"You would dare strike me, child!", Galactus snarls, his fiery eyes glowing with crimson and azure cosmic energies.
Korra did not respond, at least not in a verbal sense, but her expression and her savage glare spoke volumes. Using her airbending, Korra took flight as she began her assault on Galactus. Blasts of air, fire and bolts of lightning struck Galactus full force, yet the result was the same. Galactus withstood everything she unleashed at him, but despite this Korra continued to fight!
A bolt of lightning strikes Galactus between the eyes, followed by a barrage of fire blasts, each devastating wave of assault capable of destroying a few city blocks! But if Galactus is even aware or slightly harmed by Korra's vicious attacks, the World Devourer shows no sign nor gesture. However, if one were to look into Galactus' eyes, those fiery orbs that burned with vast cosmic energies, one could sense his barely contained rage and thinning patience for the young woman who fought against him.
"I tire of defiance, little Avatar!", Galactus rumbled, reaching out with his massive right hand to grab Korra out of mid-air.
"No! I won't give up!", Korra screamed, unleashing lightning from both of her hands at the massive hand that continued its approach undetered.
By the time Korra realized that it was time to make a brief retreat, the hand of Galactus engulfed her entire form like that of an adult clutching a dime within their grasp. It seemed to be the end of Korra's futile attempt to battle Galactus... or at least that's what everyone who watched the conflict thought. Then, suddenly, a brilliant flash of light erupted from within Galactus' enclosed right fist. Whether it was remorse or curiosity that compelled Galactus to open his fist, only he knew for sure, but once he did even the Devourer of Worlds was caught off guard... if only for a mere fraction of a moment.
Rising into the heavens like the Phoenix of legend, Korra appeared for all of Republic City and Galactus to see with their very eyes. Her eyes glowing a fierce lightning white, her body encased in a sphere of air as she remained airborne. Finally, Korra had entered the Avatar State, and she intended to fully utilize all of her power to battle Galactus. She descended from the heavens until she was once again at eye-level with Galactus, her glowing defiant eyes locking on to the emotionless gaze of one who has consumed countless worlds.
"Galactus, Devourer of Worlds, you are ordered to leave this planet... and to never return!", Korra's voice, along with the voices of all her past incarnations, ordered in warning as she began to manipulate the four elements to her very whim.
"No.", Galactus responds indifferently, not intimidated by Avatar Korra in the very least.
"Then so be it!", Korra said in a voice just short of a whisper.
Under the command of Korra, waters from the harbor rise to the heavens, massive chunks of earth are ripped from their foundations, fiery magma erupts from the ground and flames spew forth even as the air itself is summoned to join the other elements. The four elements unite, combining their power with that of the Avatar, preparing to unleash the ultimate attack on Galactus. All who witness the battle look on in sheer awe, their eyes fixated on the confrontation between the human embodiment of the planet itself and the cosmic god.
There is no warning for Galactus, who stands against the opposing force, neither fearing nor caring what was about to be unleashed. Korra unleashes the combined might of the four elements into one powerful concussive blast, striking at the heart of Galactus. The Ravager of Worlds barely flinched from the awesome onslaught, his eyes glaring at Korra, challenging her to strike at him again. And so she did again and again, assaulting Galactus with blow after thunderous blow of her devastating elemental attacks.
Finally, summoning all of her power, Korra's sphere encased body rushed toward Galactus at blinding speed until she smashes directly into Galactus' helmet encased forehead. The collision results in a massive blinding light, the impact causing all of Republic City to quake and tremble! As the blinding light fades, everyone witnesses what many thought was impossible... Avatar Korra managed to stagger Galactus!
The Devourer of Worlds was surprised by the power of the blow, caught completely off guard by the unexpectedly powerful assault. He never expected a mere mortal female to be able to do such a thing, least of all to him even when he wasn't taking her as anything close to a threat. Korra herself, even when she was completely embracing the Avatar State, couldn't believe what she had managed to accomplish. It took her most powerful attack, but she did it! She managed to actually stagger the mighty Galactus!
However, her triumph was short lived as Galactus, now taking the young Avatar seriously, focused his attention upon her. Korra summoned her power again, repeating the attack as she smashed full-force against Galactus' skull, but unlike the last time... Galactus stood unfazed by her onslaught. She lashed out again, utilizing lighning to add to her already impressive attack, but the results were the same.
Galactus had enough of this mere child's attempts to harm him. He allowed her to fight, if only to amuse her and himself, but that shall stand no more. This conflict would no longer continue. He wasted enough precious time on this child and her world. He would end this. He would show her what true power is!
"Enough!", Galactus roars, his patience and tolerance finally reaching an end.
Galactus unleashes a powerful blast of azure cosmic energy from his eyes which envelope Korra and the protective sphere made of the four elements that surrounded her form. She could not withstand the power, it tore through her protective barrier until she felt the energies scorch her clothing and burn her flesh. As soon as Galactus unleashed the blast of cosmic energies, it soon ceased as the Avatar Korra crashed on the shores of Air Temple Island in a sphere made of flames and energy.
"Korra!", Mako, Bolin, Asami and Tenzin scream in unison as they ran to the site of her descent.
A crater was formed where Korra crashed, flames scorching the surrounding earth. The female Avatar slowly got to her feet, rising painfully from the crater. Her clothing was burnt and shredded, but thankfully the wounds that her flesh received were lessened greatly thanks to the protective sphere of the four elements that helped her survive Galactus' powerful attack. Then she heard the sound of voices and footsteps, causing her to lift her gaze up to scan the surroundings. And there stood Mako, Bolin, Asami and Tenzin, eahc with a look of relief on their faces.
"Korra?", Mako spoke in a gentle voice, attempting to approach the injured young woman only to have her motion him to stop with a wave of her hand.
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay. Just get to safety before Galactus... Argh!", Korra started to tell them until a massive dark violet-armored hand grabbed her and lifted her from the ground.
"KORRA!", Her friends screamed at the top of their lungs, fear evident in their voices as they watched on helplessly as Galactus took Korra away.
Korra struggled in Galactus' vice-like grip, unable to break free no matter how much strength she exerted. Flashbacks of her visions came to her mind, but she wouldn't give in to the fear. She may be helpless, but she wasn't defeated yet. She would not give up! She would not give in to defeat!
"Did you honestly think you could prevail over Galactus? If I desired, I could extinguish your very existence with a thought!", Galactus stated, his fiery gaze focused on the young woman whom he held within his mighty grasp.
"Then why don't you? I can't beat you in a fight, so why don't you just destroy me now?", Korra questioned, remaining defiant despite her helpless state of being.
"No, I will not. True, Galactus is of power, but I sanction only hunger. Not pointless death and destruction.", Galactus answered, his voice thunderous, but seemingly gentle all at once.
"Oh? And I guess destroying an entire world and killing countless innocents isn't pointless death & destruction?", Korra countered, narrowing her arctic-blue irises as she locked eyes with the Planet Killer.
"You do not understand, therefore you know nothing. Balance must be enforced. And I must consume worlds to survive. And this planet has the energies I need to sustain my unending hunger. It is all this world has to offer me. It is the only thing of worth on this world.", Galactus responds indifferently.
Remember... force is not a solution. But... there are other options available to you.
Upon remembering Avatar Aang's advice, Korra thought of an idea, of a way that she could save her world from Galactus that didn't involve any amount of force. It was genius! It was so good that it just had to work! Now all she had to do was to get Galactus to take the bait and accept her unique challenge.
"Is that so? What if I can prove you wrong?", Korra asked, a sly and cunning smile gracing her features.
"What madness do you speak of now, child?", Galactus demanded.
"Just this. I offer you a challenge, Galactus. If I can show you that there's even a single thing that you consider worthy of being spared, you'll leave this world and its people alone in peace... forever.", Korra answered, a confident grin forming on her lovely visage.
"And why should I even consider such a challenge?", Galactus inquired, his attention solely focused on that of the young woman who intrigued him.
"Pfft. That's easy. You can take the challenge, which will give me and my world a fighting chance... and if I fail to convince you otherwise, you can still consume the world. But... if you don't accept my challenge, it'll prove to me that you're afraid, that Galactus is nothing but a bully and a coward. So, tell me... is the mighty Galactus afraid of accepting a little challenge from a pretty mortal girl?", Korra replies with a smug smirk, doing her best to try to irk the Devourer of Worlds.
Galactus considered her challenge. He knew that Korra was sincere as she was serious in regards to her unique challenge. He could read her mind, and though it was against his best wishes, Galactus could see no downside with her proposition. If she failed to convince him that her world was worthy of being spared, he'd continue his plans to consume it to satisfy his unending hunger. Besides, his energies were still plentiful enough to keep him sated for a few months, so the risk of starving to death was minimal.
It was then that Galactus made his decision.
"Very well. I accept your challenge, Avatar Korra.", Galactus agreed, but not without some hint of reluctance.
To Be Continued...
Author's Notes
Korra is a clever young woman, isn't she? It appears that Korra has took Avatar Aang's advice... but will it be enough to succeed? How will she be able to show Galactus that there is something of worth on her world, something that will be able to convince Galactus to stay his hand and spare her world? All will be revealed in time.
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, or if you know somebody who would be, please feel free to send me a message whenever you get the chance!