Here we go chapter 8. don't worry this one does a lot of explaining. for those of you who have followed me this far, I thank you for your patience. Once again I own nothing but the oc's, and as always please leave a comment or a review. they are always appreciated.


Chapter: 8

Korra could just stand there speechlessly as Kuvira, the great uniter herself, walked threateningly into the throne room. Her green eyes scanned the room, quickly locating the cowering Varrick. As soon as she caught sight of who he was hiding behind, the murderous look left her face, and she visibly relaxed. Kuvira wordlessly walked over, and wrapped Azulon and Ty Lin in a tight hug.

"You see Kuvira here they are safe, and sound" Varrick said, his voice full of relief. After several moments Kuvira released the siblings, and turned to the CEO.

"Yes they are." She said with a smile, as she stepped in front of Varrick. "You were this close Varrick. This close" Kuvira said as she indicated how close with her fingers. "Try not to let it happen again."

"Understood" varrick said as he slipped passed her, and walked quickly over to his own family. "Remind me to renegotiate that contract" He whispered to Zhu li, who nodded in agreement.

"Now where have you kids been?" Kuvira asked as she turned to glare at Azulon, and Ty Lin. The royal siblings cringed slightly at their mother's serious tone of voice.

"The whole team was sent on a vital mission, on our behalf Kuvira." Tenzin said as he, and Zaheer stepped forward from the others. Tenzin hesitated to continue, as Kuvira turned her glare on the two lotus leaders. "I apologize for not informing any of you, but Zaheer, and I felt that this mission needed to remain secret for the time being." Tenzin said.

"Yeah that's easy for you to say. You two weren't hunted like animals for two hours." Varrick remarked. Only to be silenced by one of Kuvira's glares.

"And what exactly was the point of this secret mission?" Kuvira asked as she turned back to the old air bender. Mako placed his right hand on her shoulder. "They finally found her Kuvira." He said looking her in the eyes. At first she seemed confused, but then she finally caught sight of the still stunned Korra. "Your back" Kuvira whispered, with a look of surprise.

By this point Korra finally managed to pull herself together enough to move. She looked around at her at her family, her friends, their children, and even two of her greatest adversaries. By this point she was half expecting Amon to show up.

"Ok that's it. No more surprises. Can someone please tell me what happened too everything. How did all this happen?" Korra asked desperately as she collapsed tiredly on one of the platform steps.

Everyone glanced at each other as if unsure of who should answer the Avatar's questions. Kuvira placed a hand on Mako's shoulder, and nodded in encouragement. He nodded back, and turned to Korra. His amber eyes met her blue ones. He took a deep steadying breath, and began the story.

"Everything started twenty years ago. For about a week after you, and Asami left; Republic city was pulling itself back together, and things were starting to return to normal, or at least as normal as republic city can get. Then things started changing; slowly at first, but more, and more rapidly. Spirits began disappearing; not only in republic city, but everywhere. Then we found out through Jinora that people could no longer enter the spirit world through meditation. Soon after that dark spirits began appearing in the city. At first it was one, or two, but then they began appearing in greater numbers. These dark spirits were different from the ones we faced before at the poles. While the ones before were focused on destruction, these ones were focused on civilians."

Korra's eyes widened at that. A quick glance revealed somber expressions on everyone's faces. Mako took another deep breath, and continued.

"The spirits went out of their way to attack, and kill every human in sight. Eventually even the UN armed forces were unable to hold them back, and we were driven from the city. Most of the refugees retreated into the earth kingdom, while some made their way to the fire nation. Soon after that thousands of spirits attacked both the north and south poles simultaneously. The attacks were so relentless that both tribes had to abandon their homes, and seek refuge outside the poles. The northern tribe was taken in by Ba Sing Se, while the southern tribe found safe haven with the fire nation. It was during the exodus from republic city that the first team of Power benders discovered what was causing everything."

"Vaatu" Korra said mournfully.

"Vaatu" Mako replied with a nod. "For the last twenty years Vaatu's main focus has been the eradication of mankind. He has corrupted almost all of the spirits, and turned the spirit world into a hellish nightmare. Due to the spirit portals the poles and a vast majority of the united republic area is under Vaatu's control. Aside from Ba Sing Se the earth kingdom is a war zone. The spirits have forced us further and further back. The only remaining human strong holds are the fire nation, and Ba Sing Se. Everything else is ruins, wilderness, or spirit wilds. After all this time the only thing really holding us together is Varrick's barriers, and the power benders." Mako said finishing his story.

Korra could just stare blankly at the man before her. The throne room was completely silent. Everyone quietly watching as she tried to process everything Mako told her. Finally the long silence was broken by Senna. "Are you ok Korra?" she asked in concern. Korra glanced around the room quickly, before she answered. "Yes I'm fine. Just a little freaked out. I just need some air" Korra said as she stood up, and walked quickly out of the room.


After nearly five minutes of searching, korra finally found her way to an outside area of the palace. By the look of things she was in the royal gardens. Korra made her way past flower hedges, and through some Sakura trees as the sun began to make its descent towards the horizon. As the shadows grew longer she finally came to a small pond. As she sat down at the water's edge she could see a little family of turtle ducks. She allowed a small smile to appear as she watched the baby turtle ducks huddle around their mother's shell.

The smile quickly disappeared as she thought over everything that had happened today. So many crazy, horrible, and unbelievable things had happened in such a short amount of time. Korra played out everything in her head over, and over again trying to understand how all this could have happened. Her vacation with Asami, her nightmare vision that now partially made sense, Vaatu's escape, and being trapped in the tree of time. How could twenty years have just flown by?

It would defiantly make sense. Even at full power Vaatu couldn't have destroyed republic city in an hour, and twenty minutes. Then there is no denying that everyone is older, and all of her friends now have children of their own. She was even a big sister for spirits sake.

"Copper piece for your thoughts?" someone asked from behind her. Korra turned to see Mako, and Bolin standing behind her. They certainly have come a long way since their days as the fabulous bending brothers.

"I'm sorry I ran out on you guys. Today has been the longest day of my life, and it just keeps getting stranger, and stranger." Korra said tiredly.

"We understand Korra." Bolin said as they sat on either side of her, and watched the turtle ducks.

"Ok I've told you what happened to us, now what happened to you, and Asami? You look like you haven't aged a day." Mako said.

Korra closed her eyes as she began to tell her side of the last twenty years. "After Varrick, and Zhu li's wedding Asami, and I decided to take a vacation to the spirit world."

"Wait a minute you two went to the spirit world without us?" Bolin interrupted, sounding hurt at being left out.

"Yeah sorry Bo it was kind of a vacation just for us. We needed some time away from everything, and you guys were busy with other things." Korra explained.

"Busy with other things? Korra we were busy helping restore republic city. Most of the city was ruble, people were homeless, or injured, and the triads were having a hay day. So I'm to understand that the Avatar, and the number one industrialist in the world decided to go on a secret vacation, while everyone else cleaned up the mess?" Mako said with a frown. Korra cringed at his words. When you put it like that it did sound pretty bad.

"You may want to leave the vacation part out if you are going to tell Opal this story." Bolin said trying to change the subject.

""Thanks I'll remember that Bolin." Korra said as she rubbed her jaw. "Anyway we spent about a week exploring the spirit world. We decided to visit the tree of time before we came back. Once we were there Vaatu somehow managed to rip his way out of me. Both of us were pretty drained from the separation, but Vaatu managed to trap us in the tree like avatar Wan did to him."

"So you two were trapped in the tree of time for twenty years?" Mako asked.

"That's what I don't understand. We were only trapped for twenty minutes before we broke out. We made our way back to republic city only to find everything destroyed, and everyone gone. Then dark spirits attacked us, and the power benders showed up." Korra finished.

The three close friends were silent for several minutes. "Who came up with the name power benders anyway?" Korra asked.

"Varrick." The brothers answered at the same time.

"And the colored costumes?" Korra asked with a chuckle.

"Varrick." They answered again with a smile on their faces. Korra laughed at that.

"Hey if you think that's funny you should see the mini mover series Varrick has them doing." Bolin said as he, and Mako joined Korra in laughing.

"Hey they don't happen to have a giant mech suit do they?" Korra asked through her laughing.

"Oh come on korra don't be ridiculous." Bolin said as he was calming down.

"Yeah like we would ever let them pilot that thing." Mako said.

"Wait what?" Korra asked.

"After all this time it's great to have you back Korra." Mako said looking her in the eyes, and ignoring her question.

"We should go see if Asami is awake yet. You know make this a real team avatar reunion." Bolin said as he stood up.

"You are right. I t would probably be a good idea to be there to explain things." Mako said as he began leading the way to the infirmary.


Consciousness was returning slowly to Asami. She had a dull head ache, and her mouth was dry, and she could faintly hear voices talking quietly.

"So when do you think she is going to wake up" asked a girl.

"She should be waking up pretty soon. Healing a concussion takes a lot out of the person being healed, as well as the healer." Another girl answered the first.

Asami began to open her eyes, but quickly closed them when bright light hit them. She began to sit up, and groaned at the pulsing ache in her head. "She's waking up" said a third voice, male this time. She opened her eyes again, more slowly this time.

The first thing she sees is a pair of big jade eyes, and a big bright smile. "Hey are you feeling better? What is your name? Is there anything you need?" A teenage girl asked her rapidly.

Asami blinked slowly as she processed what the peppy girl in front of her asked. "A slight headache, but fine, Asami Sato, and a glass of water would be nice." Asami answered.

With a smile the girl stepped back, and walked over to a nightstand with a pitcher of water, and some cups on it. The girl appeared to be around seventeen with an athletic build that was equal parts lithe, and curvy. She had long black hair styled into a long braid with gold, and red two pronged head piece at its base. Her face was framed by long bangs and spiked eyebrows. She was wearing baggy pink pants, and a long sleeve pink shirt that exposed her mid riff. The girl also had on pointed black shoes, metal bracelets on her forearms, and a green scarf around her neck.

"Here you go Asami." The girl said as she handed her the glass of water. The cold water soothed her throat, and helped take the edge of her headache.

"Thank you." Asami said as she finished the glass. "What's your name, and where am I?" She asked.

"Oh right. You are in Cauldera right now, the infirmary in the royal palace to be specific. I'm Princess Ty Lin by the way." She answered.

"Princess? I didn't know Iroh had a daughter." Asami said with a look of confusion.

"That's because he didn't." A voice said off to Asami's right, just out of her initial line of sight. As she turned she caught sight of a water tribe girl, and. "Mako!" Asami exclaimed as she rushed over, and wrapped the fire bender in a tight hug. After seeing what happened to republic city she was overjoyed to finally see a familiar face.

Rather than return the hug like she expected he tensed up, and held his hands out to the side. The young water tribe woman stepped back with a knowing smile on her face. Asami could hear Ty Lin giggle behind her. Eventually the water tribe woman cleared her throat. "Um Miss Sato I hate to interrupt "she started with a grin that said otherwise "But that isn't Mako."

Asami glanced at her, and held the not Mako at arm's length. As she took a second look at him she realized that he was younger, more like Mako when she had first met him. A closer inspection of his face revealed that his eye brows were straight with no spikes.

"Oh I'm so sorry. You just look so much like a friend of mine." Asami apologized as she blushed with embarrassment.

"That's ok, it was an honest mistake" He said trying to shrug off the awkward moment. "I'm Azulon by the way." He said offering her his hand.

"Asami Sato." She said as she shook his hand. Azulon was dressed in traditional fire nation royal armor. If his spiky hair had been in a top knot he would have looked like someone from the hundred year war.

"You've already met my sister Ty Lin, and this is Katala." Azulon said as he gestured to the young woman next to them.

She was wearing pointed black fire nation boots, with dark blue pants, and a red sash around her waist. Katala was also wearing a dark purple folded tank top with white trim that hugged her curves. On her right arm she wore a black fingerless glove that reached her elbow, leaving her bicep, and shoulder exposed. On her left arm she had a blue water tribe wrist band covering her forearm, and an armband around her bicep with a white lotus symbol on it. Most of her chocolate brown hair was pulled back into a long wolf's tail, with the rest of it cascading down her back.

"It's nice to meet you." Asami said shaking Katala's hand.

"Likewise, are you feeling alright? You took a pretty good knock to the head out there." Katala asked.

Asami felt along the side of her head. She could feel a slight bump there. That would explain the headache she thought. "Yes I'm fine thank you. There was someone else with me out there. Do any of you know where she is?"

"She is probably still talking to the fire lord." Katala answered.

"I'm pretty sure he will want to talk to you too." Azulon added.

"In that case can you take me too them?" Asami asked.

Azulon and Katala looked at each other as if unsure about her request.

"They are probably backed in the throne room by now." Ty Lin piped up happily.

"I guess if you are feeling up to it then right this way." Azulon said as he led them out of the infirmary.


"I still can't tell which is more unbelievable the fact that you are the fire lord or that Bolin has a mustache." Korra stated as she walked down the corridor.

"Hey!" Bolin exclaimed as he rubbed his facial hair.

"Oh come on Bolin I've only ever seen you without one, or wearing one of those ridiculous fake ones." Korra explained.

"She's got you there Bo." Mako said with a chuckle.

"Ok mister hat trick, spill it. How on earth did you become fire lord?"

Mako sighed. "A lot of brave men, and women gave their lives during this war. General Iroh gave his near the start, before the exodus. Without a proper heir the fire nation would have fallen to in fighting, and that was something we couldn't afford with Vaatu's forces bearing down on us. So long story short Bolin, Kuvira, and I went on a life changing field trip with lord Zuko, and found the other half of our family tree." Mako said.

"Oh come on you can't long story short me on this!" Korra complained.

"Korra you have twenty years worth of amazing stories to hear. There are other stories that need to be told first." Mako said in a tone of voice that even got her to back down.

"You know Varrick actually managed to turn most of those stories into movers." Bolin said.

"Really" Korra asked in surprise.

"Yeah really, the Phoenix Prince was one of his biggest hits. Right up there with Nuktuk." Bolin said with a smile.

"Either way we should probably bring up to speed on this decade, before you go diving into the last two." Mako interjected as they entered the infirmary.

Korra looked around the white, sterile smelling room. All the beds were empty.

"Where is Asami?" she asked in confusion.

"I don't know Azulon said that she was in here." Mako said.

"Oh lord Mako, prince Bolin what brings you here. Is your arm bothering you again my lord?" asked an old voice from behind them.

Turning around Korra could see an old water tribe woman, dressed in light blue robes, and with a gentle smile on her wrinkled face.

"Hello Nora" Mako greeted with a nod of his head. "No my arm is fine thank you. I believe the children brought someone in here earlier?"

"Ah yes long dark hair, kind of looks like a sato mobile model from those magazines." Nora described.

"That sounds like Asami" Bolin said.

"She woke up about ten minutes ago. She left with Azulon, Katala, and Ty Lin." Nora answered.

"Do you know where they were going?" Korra asked.

"Katala said that they were going to see you my lord." Nora said as she turned to Mako.

"Thank you Nora." Mako said with a respectful bow. "It's my pleasure" she replied with a bow of her own. With that they began making their way back to the throne room.

"We need to get there now." Mako said as they moved quickly through the halls past servants going about their duties.

"Why what's the rush?" Bolin asked.

"Bolin for you guys it's been twenty years. For Asami and me it's been a week." Korra stated.

"So?"

"So before we left, what happened?" Korra asked.

"Varrick and Zhu li got married." Bolin stated.

"And" Korra prompted.

"Bo, Hiroshi Sato died." Mako answered for him.

"Oh that's not good." Bolin said as he picked up the pace.


"Between the dark spirits, and what's left of republic city I have so many questions for Iroh." Asami said as she walked beside Ty Lin, with Azulon, and Katala leading the way.

"I don't think uncle Iroh will be able to answer any of your questions." Ty Lin said sadly.

"Why not, and Iroh is your uncle, I didn't know that he had siblings." Asami said confusedly.

"Iroh had no sibling, or children." Azulon said glancing back at them.

"Then how can you two be royalty?" Asami asked, taking the princes use of had, instead of has, as a slip of the tongue.

"General Iroh wasn't really our uncle. He was a distant cousin of our father." Ty Lin explained.

Asami frowned. There it was again, she said wasn't, not isn't. Why are they talking about Iroh in the past tense?

"Here we are." Katala announced as they came to a large guarded door. As the doors were opened, Asami could see foot shaped dents in the wood as she walked by. Asami followed the others into the throne room. She could see two women talking in front of an empty throne.

"Oh that's wonderful news." A pregnant woman dressed in red, yellow, and orange air bender robes said.

"Today just seems to be full of surprises." The other woman said. This woman was taller than the air bender, and she wore black and silver robes. She also had long black hair, but Asami couldn't make anything else out, because the woman's back was to her.

"I know first Korra comes back, and now this. When are you going to tell him?" The first woman asked.

"I'll tell him tonight when things have calmed down a bit."

These women actually sounded oddly familiar. Asami thought as they drew near them. At that moment Ty Lin spoke up. "Hey mom, auntie Opal, have either of you seen dad? The other one woke up."

Before Asami could say anything the woman in dark robes, Ty Lin, and Azulon's mother turned around. Everything seemed to freeze as Asami made eye contact with the one person in the world that she hated with every fiber of her being.