Chapter 3
Korra was woken up in the night by Atem's coughing. She checked his temperature and found him almost boiling. Outside a thunderstorm raged and hail beat against the window pains. Panicked she ordered a guard to call a doctor.
"Just get someone now!" She snapped holding Atem close.
"My aren't we in a state?" Korra looked up to see her old reflection looming over her. The woman's blue eyes had a red glint to them. "Poor thing, I wonder what's wrong? Too bad you can't help his fever like I could."
Korra looked away and concentrated on Atem who had become very pale.
"I could help you know, just this once, let you have all your bending back. Just this once to help save your precious only son." The apparition sneered. "You're little prince."
"Leave me alone." Korra whispered under her breath. "I'll wait for a doctor."
The same guard she had just yelled at ran back to her painting. "I called for a doctor but it will take time. The storm, it's making travel to the palace almost impossible. The roads are flooding."
Korra bit her lip. "Find out if there are any noble man or woman who practice medicine. Please! The prince is sick, he needs someone now!"
Frowning the guard nodded and left the two along.
"So now what are you going to do my queen? You can't be diluted enough to think that in this weather you'll get someone in time." The apparition put her arms around Korra's shoulders. "Just going to sit her and let him die in your arms? Just like your lover did in so many lives?"
Korra hung her head and pushed some of Atem's sweaty strands of hair away from his face. "Give me the power I need." She said softly. "Let me save my son."
The apparition laughed. "Do you want to know the price of such power? What you'll have to give up for it?"
Korra bit her lip. "I don't care Vatuu, the world can burn as long as my family is alive and well."
The apparition took on the red eyes and markings of Vatuu. "So you do know it's me?"
"I've known you were still here since the moment that witch ripped Ravaa out of me. Now quit wasting time! I said I'd take the deal!"
Vatuu pouted. "Boo, didn't have to ruin the suspense like that but fine I'll give you power for one night to cure your little brat and in return you must visit that witch Stasia and kill the bitch."
Korra looked down at her son, he was an innocent, a child; surely his life was worth more than the woman who had done so much evil in her life that she would never see daylight again. Korra hesitated for a moment before looking at Vatuu defiantly. "Deal, now let me save my son!"
Vatuu nodded. "As you wish my queen."
.o.
"You can't just run off like that!" Mako scolded. "You're a king!"
Iroh looked over at the enraged bodyguard. "I thought I told Mi'tem to bring you with her."
"Well she tried to get me to come but I refused since it's your life I'm paid to protect."
Iroh rolled his eyes. "I was fine. See? No harm done."
"This time." Mako paused. "Where did you go anyway?"
"I visited Korra's grave. I needed to clear my mind after a bad dream." Iroh paused. "Do look at me like that I love Mi'tem but something about her is off lately and I needed to get some perspective on it."
Mako crossed his arms. "Did you?"
"No, I'm just left with more questions." Iroh shook his head. "Either way let's go. I'm sure we're both needed back home."
Mako nodded. "Agreed, after all you're expected to run a country."
"Don't remind me." Iroh sighed. "I miss dressing in women's clothing."
"Last I looked those things aren't mutually exclusive." Mako joked. "I can think of a few people who could use a dose of General Irony sass. In fact I could write you a list!"
Iroh chuckled. "That's Fire Lord Irony, Captain Sato."
"Fire Lord, General, as long as you're in heels and giving people a hard time I don't care."
"You used to be the serious one."
.o.
Atem ran after his sister showing no ill effects from the fever her had had just a few days ago. "Wow, he got better fast." Asmai noted watching the two toddlers play. "I guess he wasn't that sick after all."
"Yeah, he just had a little bug." Korra said checking to make sure she had everything she needed in her bag. "Thanks for agreeing to watch them for a few hours."
"No problem." Asami leaned back. "I've got a whole palace of servants to help just incase they get too rowdy. I'm just surprised you have to run off to the ruins on such short notice."
Korra tucked a hair behind one ear. "Yeah that's more my fault for forgetting about an agreed upon meeting." She closed her bag with a snap. "So I should be back before sun down. Make sure both eat their vegetables and take a nap, especially Atem. He might be feeling better but he was still sick."
Asami nodded. "Ok, got it. Now go before you start some kind or war or something."
"Going, going. Bye my sweet hearts! Mummy loves you!"
Korra waved to the twins and to Sona who was reading a book by a tree. They all waved back and then she was gone. Asami leaned back and sighed. "Ok! Who wants to eat pizza for dinner and not tell mommy or daddy?"
The response was a unanimous yes.
.o.
Stasia looked up from her cot at Mi'tem looming over her. "What do you want my queen?"
Mi'tem grabbed her by the throat and slammed her up against the wall. The queen's eyes glowing red. "I want you dead." She said through gritted teeth. "You killed Kuvira and her lover before I could. You robbed me of my revenge."
Stasia gasped for air her eyes becoming blood shot. "I gave you back your life, you should." Her face suddenly twisted into a garish smile. "You made a deal with a devil too? Who did you save in exchange for my life?"
Mi'tem stepped back a little in surprise. "My son's."
Stasia coughed and rubbed her neck. "Same thing I did." She stood up. "Can't say I blame you. " The woman once called queen now dressed in rags laughed. "I would have sold my soul to keep my little prince alive." She stood with her hands at her side, defenseless. "So get on with it, kill me. I've got nothing to live for." She gestured around the empty cell. "My husband's gone, my son will never come for me so kill me."
Mi'tem looked away.
"Can't do it?" Stasia laughed. "I guess you don't love your son that much." "If you back out now I'll make sure Atem is dead before you get home." Vatuu whispered in Mi'tem's ear. "It's her blood on your hands or his, your choice."
Stasia looked straight at Vatuu. "Oh, it's you."
"Kill her!"
Stasia watched as Mi'tem's eyes became vacant and she was slammed against the wall. There was a sickening crunch and she slid down into a pool of blood still smiling. "Well that's gratitude for you." She thought before her whole world went dark.
.o.
Appalled at what she had down Korra ran from the cell and out of the tower the same secret way she had gotten in. racing down the stairs she tripped and fell hitting her head against the rock. The rock left a gash in her forehead and temple as she pulled herself to her feet and in a slower manor walked the rest of the way until she was out of the passage an into heavily wooded area.
She stumbled her way to a small pound where she tried to wash the cut the best she could. She wanted puke. Vatuu showed up standing next to her in the reflection.
"I could help you with that."
"You can go to hell." Korra spat. "I fulfilled my end of the deal so leave me alone."
Vatuu laughed. "That's not going to happen my Queen, I'm part of your very soul; and you just killed the only person who could've separated us."
"Oh Agni what have I done?" Korra's shoulders slumped, as she looked up taking in the full impact of her actions.
"He can't help you know sweetie, you belong to me." Vatuu laughed and placed a crown on her reflections head. "Oh the things we're going to do together. All hail the red queen. All hail the agent of chaos."
A/N: I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to update, I got distracted by life and I apologize. I hope you enjoyed this addition and if you feel so compelled leave a comment. As always, hope you're well and I'll see you all at a later date! ~ C.C.
