All eyes were on Avatar as her sphere of elementals grew larger, lashing out at friend and foe alike. The spirit fragments were whispering into her ears as she focused her amazing powers; calling forth large amounts of snow pouring into the ramshackle monastery. With a wave of her hand the earth rose up creating small mountains to hold the snow above the battle field as an impenetrable dome of air and fire was created to keep the Light from escaping. "The time for judgment has arrived. You will all face justice for what you have done. The punishment for creating such an imbalance will match your crimes. There is nothing you can do to stop me/us from keeping our promise."
"I beg to differ with you child! You have tapped into an incredible power, but you have no idea how to use it and your spirit friends are only partially here! Even with the help of your little friends, there is no way you can defeat all seven of us and our allies. Face it child, all you've done is sign your own death warrant. How do you expect to defeat the seven strongest beings on this planet on your own?" Savage challenged the girl.
He and the rest of the Light had been separated onto different rocky platforms by the forest growing earlier while Young Justice remained all together on the one beneath Avatar. Mercy, Mr. Mullah, and the Shadows guarding Speedy's cryopod, were further back towards the base of one of the cliff faces, in a thicket of trees. Though separated the seven members were still very confident they could take on Avatar and the team.
"Yeah, your little tantrum doesn't scare us at all! How is an itty bitty little girl like you going to punish us? You're all alone isn't she Teekle?"
"Meow roar!"
"Huh, what do you mean she's not alone? Those bratty sidekicks are no match for us. What do you mean other Avatars?"
"Your familiar is speaking of one of the ultimate powers of the Avatar. Allow us to show you her true strength. You were warned the battle has begun!" The Spirits spoke before reentering Avatar's body. She started glowing blue and suddenly six smoky figures exited her body heading straight for the different platforms. Young Justice's jaws dropped at the sight of the smoke figures taking shape, becoming solid and alive.
"It can't be there's no way this is happening!" Kid Flash exclaimed. He and the rest of the team knew who these figures were. They had seen them in the power point presentation only a few weeks before.
"It is happening. She's manifested her past six lives!" Rocket exclaimed.
"Seven avatars for seven villains! This is epic!" Robin shouted.
"The Avatars of the past have joined with me to ensure balance is restored. They will crush you with a thought! The time for you to pay is now! Attack!" Avatar shouted. She descended from the sky letting loose a powerful wave of icy daggers at Savage as the rest of her lives went after their targets. Savage withstood her attack and launched his own counter hurling huge rocks at her, which she smashed. The sounds of battle could be heard all over as the bloody conflict renewed itself.
"What's with Avatar? She's being extremely bloodthirsty," Miss Martian said worried as she watched her friend and her past lives do incredible feats of bending. "If she's not careful she could be killed and the Avatar Spirit lost forever!"
"It's not her in control right now! Don't you remember what the scrolls said about entering the Avatar State without mastering it? She's got no control and letting the Spirits dictate her actions. They're trying to keep their promise, but I don't think killing the Light is going to help anyone," Superboy shouted over the sounds of battle. They all hunkered down as the elements swirled around them in a deadly dance.
"Ahhhh, we need to reach her and get Korra back in control!" Artemis shouted over the wind. She notched her bow as the others got ready to spring into action.
"Agreed and we must protect her past lives. I fear whatever harm comes to them will greatly impact her as well," Aqualad affirmed. He pushed himself up as the other staggered to their feets.
"Don't forget our primary objective to save Speedy. Artemis, you and Rocket get rid of the hired help and retrieve that pod. Protect it until we can call for the bioship. Zantana, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Robin will help the past lives against the members of the Light. They're not going to go down easy that's for sure. I'm going to help protect Avatar and get her back in control of her actions. I know that she had another idea about restoring balance that didn't involve killing anyone. Keep an eye on each other and be safe!" Red Arrow commanded as the group split up to help out.
Rocket grabbed Artemis by her arms and the two girls zoomed through the air on the making their way through thick trees and narrowly avoiding the occasional rock popping up out of nowhere. "Be ready, were about the clearing!"
"Yeah the bullets and lasers firing at me weren't enough of a clue! Heads up we got trouble!" Artemis shouted as they had to make a hard bank upward to avoid being hit by the projectiles fired at the girls. "You take the gorilla and I'll get Mercy! We'll deal with the Shadows as they come!"
"Right, just try to not take out the life support system to the cryopod!" Rocket reminded her. She wound up her arms and using a bit of extra energy from her belt tossed Artemis towards Mercy. Flying out of the way she hurled kinetic energy blasts at Mullah darting around him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Artemis come out of her flip firing two trick arrows releasing goo into Mercy's arm cannon. The goo plugged up the barrel and hardened making the limb useless.
"Good job Artemis! Hey, let me go you big stupid ape!" Rocket shouted as Mullah grabbed her by the arm and started pounding her like a rag doll into the ground. She attempted to twist out the grip, but he was crushing her arm. With her free hand she shot a kinetic blast into the trees. Mullah looked up as several branches started tumbling down on top of him. His grip loosened enough for Rocket to slip out and roll out of the way. "That was a close one. I guess not all apes like trees huh? Oh man don't you ever go down for a nap?" Rocket commented as she threw up a force bubble to stop the rampaging creature.
Meanwhile Mercy had managed to clear out the gunk from her gun and was forcing Artemis to take cover behind some of the smoldering tech. She ducked and started crawling on her stomach trying to get away. "Give a woman an automatic gun for an arm and turns out she has perfect aim. Perfect, just perfect!" As she started to crawl away she heard someone approaching from above. She rolled out of the way firing her crossbow.
The two Shadows deflected her crossbow darts. The archer quickly did a few handsprings and then jumped into the trees darting about trying to avoid being shot. She could see some of the Shadows trying to cut down her tree while a third came up after her. Mercy was still firing nearly taking off the limb she had been standing on. "Come on think! There has to be a way to get rid of one threat." Artemis looked behind Mercy and saw a piece of smoldering metal. Loading her bow she took careful aim and fired.
Mercy ducked under the arrow not seeing it as a threat. She was about to retargeted the young heroine when she heard a hissing sound coming from behind. Before she could turn the smoldering piece reignited into an explosion sending the woman rolling down the hill. The archer quickly zip lined out the tree shooting more arrows and pinned her to a tree with a bolo.
Artemis took off running for the cryopod only to have her hair shaved a bit and she felt blood dribbling down the back of her head. She tripped and stumbled on a hidden rock landing in a small pile of snow. Someone kicked her in the back trying to break her spine. "You shouldn't have come here little girl. Don't you know the Shadows always win?"
"Maybe I need to take a refresher!" Artemis shouted kicking hard and spraying snow in the Shadows face blinding them for a second. That was that was need for Rocket to put them in force bubble with Mullah and fling them up into the cliff face knocking them out. "Thanks, I thought I was a goner."
"No problem, but how are we going to disconnect the pod and get him safely away. It's like the Gang Warfare meets the Blitz down there," Rocket pointed out jerking her thumb behind her. The two heroines heard the sounds of fighting going on. They hoped the others were okay. In the meantime they had to get Speedy's pod to safety.
Klarion was laughing at the sight of Avatar Raidon. His clothes were just so stupid! "If you think I'm afraid of poorly dressed ghost then you're in for a surprise. I'm the Lord of Chaos! Not even your baby elemental powers can stop me! Isn't that right Teekle?"
"Meow hiss!"
"Yeah, yeah I get it, don't underestimate the ghost. I can handle anything he can do no problem."
"Railmaf eht pu egac!" Teekle let out a screech and jumped out the way before Zantana's spell could capture her. The familiar grew into its demonic form and started stalking the female magician. "Part a ni railimaf eht eruces!" Traps sprang from out the ground trying to snag Teekle's paws missing by inches. Klarion on started firing blasts of chaos magic at Zantana intent on destroying her.
"Coward, doubling up on an individual is dishonorable!" Raidon shouted creating a massive rock shield blocking the chaos magic. Raidon placed his palms on the ground sensing the magma below. With a mighty yell he bent the lava up out of the ground and into four rivers of fiery earth in the air. With a powerful blast he twisted the deadly river across the ground surrounding Klarion before encasing him and Teekle. He blew a cold front onto the lava rapidly cooling it trapping him inside.
Klarion and Teekle phased out of the rock panting hard. Both were slightly drained of magic and looked pissed off. Dark energy struck both Raidon and Zantana sending them flying towards the edge of the platform. Raidon summoned the snow turning into an ice slide on the fly. The slide deposited them back on the platform where Zantana quickly created a magic forefield to protect them from the onslaught of the Witch Boy.
"Your baby magic is nothing compared to mine! That force field can't protect you for long and then Teekle will turn you into mincemeat!" Klarion laughed. His demonic features becoming more distinct as he called on more chaos magic.
"Mih gag! At least we don't have to listen to him talk, but he's right! I don't know how long I can hold him off. Do you have a plan to defeat him or not?"
"This coward and his pet shall learn not to mess with the Avatar!" Raidon growled. He bent and twisted his lower body creating a giant sink hole underneath Klarion who started hovering in the air. High pressure geysers started spewing boiling hot water on Klarion scalding him badly.
"I've had just about enough of you two! Now the real fun begins!" Klarion started laughing manically. He cast a spell on his familiar causing Teekle to grow even bigger. As Zantana looked on she wondered how they were even going to stop him.
Kid Flash was doing his best not be blown off his platform as he raced around trying to hit the Brain, but the jarhead had plenty of defenses on his robotic form. Kid Flash found his foot stuck in the ground thanks to Brain creating several sinkholes. "This is not good, not good at all!"
"What's the matter little boy? Can you puny intellects not comprehend how impossible your situation is? Are you prepared for death? I can't wait to start dissecting you!" Brain informed him as he rolled over with several scalpels in his robotic arms; only for the strongest hurricane winds ever to send him tumbling backwards slamming into the trees and being caught in a giant water bubble.
"I find your philosophy of self mutilation and the carving up of healthy bodies to be pointless and serves no purpose in this world. Your spirit is grounded to the earth, you don't even have a spirit in my opinion," Yangchen spoke in a controlled voice as fired rings of fire at Brain trying to burn him to bits.
The robot form deflected the fire blasts and sent a spark of lightening into the Air Nomads body. She jerked about in great pain as she lost control of her bending. Kid Flash yanked his foot out of the ground and dashed over grabbing Yangchen and pulling her away. He spun his arms as fast as he could creating some deadly air currents that knocked over a few trees impeding the Brain's movements, but not for long.
"I didn't know that ghosts could get hurt, are you okay lady um Miss Yangchen? Can you still fight?"
"I'm fine bender of speed. I have yet to meet an opponent that I couldn't defeat. He is only a brain, while I'm an a strong and powerful spirit," Yangchen informed Kid Flash ,as she stood up again calling upon the winds to clear the platform of all the fallen debris, before turning them into projectile missiles that both Kid Flash and Brain had to avoid. It seemed that Yangchen had forgotten who was on her side!
Aqualad was having difficulty working with Kurak whose bending prowess was unbelievable creating both a massive tsunami of water and a devastating rockslide at the same time and launching them at Ocean Master. Aqualad used his water bearers creating solid weapons to attack the evil Atlantian who jumped into the tsunami to avoid the rockslide. He used the power of the tsunami to send pulses of water at the two heroes. Kurak deflected the pulses with air blades while Kaldur dodged and shot out a stream of electrified water at Ocean Master hurting him greatly.
"Avatar Kurak, listen to me! Our duty is to contain and capture the Light, not kill them!"
"The only way to truly defeat your enemy is to actively shape your path boy! Letting him and the others live will only allow for further imbalance! We must totally defeat them!" Kurak barked out, his eyes narrow as he recalled his own past failure. He wouldn't let this creep win.
"That is not your choice to make! It's the current Avatar's Korra! She wouldn't want this!" Aqualad tried to tell Kurak, but he arrogant man was already attacking Ocean Master in close combat with flaming hands. Aqualad hurried in to protect him and hopefully stop him from slaying Ocean Master.
Miss Martian was amazed by Kyoshi's battling style. She had never seen someone so ferocious in battle. Kyoshi was using her powers to tear giant statues from walls and using air and fire together to fling the projectiles at Queen Bee. The evil dictator rolled out the way and tried to enthrall Kyoshi with her mental powers, but it was not working on the spirit.
Kyoshi rolled her eyes at the woman's pathetic attempts to control her. "Your attempts to take control of my mind are wasted. My will is stronger then any parlor trick. You call yourself a queen, but you are nothing, but a tyrant that must be destroyed."
"You have great power, but trust me when I say your make up has caused you to lose your mind!" Queen Bee retorted. She used her enthralling powers to call for downed Shadows and forced them to fight. Miss Martian shape shifted into a powerful dragon trying to squeeze them until they fell. When they started stabbing her she blew them back with her brain blast; her goal was to get closer to Queen Bee and shut her down before Kyoshi killed her.
Superboy and Roku were doing their best to avoid being harmed by Lex Luther. He had ripped off his suit to reveal a body armor that greatly enhanced his natural abilities and had enough weapons on it to go to war with a small country. Superboy charged forward intent on slamming his fist into his human's father's chest only to have a beam of kryptonite send him flying across the air. Roku summoned an air cushion to catch the child and set him back down on the ground.
"So, I was right about one thing, you don't care about me anymore then Superman did!"
"Please son, you're a powerful being and a great weapon, but when you have your own will your nothing, but a liability to me. Don't take it very personally," Lex chortled. He was still chortling when Roku used his fire breath in combination with his rivers of flames from all his extremities. The flames licked at the suit partially melting it in places. Lex was in pain as he fired mini missiles at Roku who used water whips to slice them in half. The explosion sent him flying through the air nearly falling off the platform until he summoned a pillar of rock to catch him.
Roku broke off more chunks of rocks compressing them until they were a powerful dust storm. He bent the storm all over Lex trying to get into his lungs and force him to his knees, but the suit just popped a helmet over his head protecting them. Superboy ran as fast as he could tackling his human father and the two started wrestling on the ground. "Use your strengths to you advantage child! You attire is strong, but how will it hold up once I start combing all four elements at once?" Roku intoned as he got ready to attack again.
Robin wished he could laugh and joke, but as he used his escrima sticks to deflect Ra's poisoned sword, this wasn't the time. He did a few back flips jumping into a tree and tossing several birdarangs, all which were cut in half. He climbed higher into the tree before launching himself into the air dropping smoke bombs and mini explosives. The explosion concessive waves were stronger then he anticipated and he got caught in the blast. His suit protected him, but he was about to hit a wall of solid rock!
An air scooter combined with a protective ice shield surrounded him gently depositing him on the ground. "That was hool! Korra said you were playful, but I never would have thought of doing, watch out!" Robin, the self made usageaste warned as Ra's came at them again. The centuries old tyrant was quick on his feet and his physical attacks were too fast for him to keep up. The teen watched in awe as Ra's tried to get his bare hands around Aang's neck only for him to create rock armor to protect him.
"Your armor will only slow you down. We don't have to fight, I to care greatly about the earth. I'm trying to create a world that isn't overrun by those who would ruin its natural beauty. The planet can't support the unworthy."
"Who are you to decide who's worthy and who isn't? If you truly cared about the planet you wouldn't use violence and destruction to achieve your agendas," Aang responded calmly as he combined both water and air partially trapping Ra's in a mini iceberg. Ra's drew his sword slashing at Aang whose armor was ripped right off. He retaliated with a series of fire bombs that had an impact on Ra's burning several articles of his clothing and causing him to drop his sword. Robin slid across the ground kicking the weapon deep into a crevice. He spun around and then delivered a sharp kick to the side only to have him grab and twist his arm around trying to break it.
Aang used air to increase his speed using a compressed air slice to damage Ra's arm forcing him to let Robin go. Ra's broke free of his containment and pulled out some poisoned daggers and smiled. "The detective's protégé and a pacifist spirit of the Earth. Both of you are incredibly skilled, but neither one of you has the ability to defeat me. Still, I welcome the challenge."
"This is not good, not good at all."
Red Arrow was beginning to tire as he fired several different trick arrows at Savage. The man was simply unstoppable, not even being phased by foam, boxing, and explosive arrows. Avatar was using her newfound power to plantbend the trees having their roots shoot of the ground at alarming speeds striking him all over his body. Savage growled using his incredible strength to rip out the roots and cause the trees to fall.
"Not good, ah!" Red Arrow shouted trying to run out of the way of the falling tree, but he tripped over a rock and falling flat on his face. A dome of protective earth formed around him shielding him from the attack. He felt himself being sucked out of the dome and shooting into the air where he was levitating thanks to highly powerful air currents. "Avatar, Korra where are you?"
Avatar was locked in direct combat with Savage trying to use a multi elemental shield to block his attacks. She squatted, shifted and kicked upward striking Savage under his chin with her right foot. He snagged it ignoring the elements eating his skin trying to crush her foot. She brought her other leg down at angle striking him with flames and using her hands to change the snow to water high pressure steam burning his face. As he let go she rolled away a few feet away near the cliff edge. With a powerful leg thrust she sent a rockslide tumbling down towards Savage. She covered a few with ice and another with flames. Clenching her fists and pushing downward she increased their overall mass she used her gravitybending to make them even heavier.
Savage laughed as he broke several boulders with his bare hands. He rode on top of others jumping from one boulder to another. He used his own strength to redirect the attack back uphill towards Avatar, only to have Red Arrow shoot a super sticky arrow that held the attack in place. Savage ignored the barrage intent on killing Avatar. She used all her power to come at him with several different elemental attacks, but he seemed to glide all the way through them. He wrapped arms around her chest trying to break her in two. She screamed kicking and hitting him, no elements, just brute strength trying to free herself. She couldn't even reach her boomerangs.
"You thought yourself the most powerful being on the planet. You believe that you are the solution to balancing a world of chaos and disorder, but you are nothing, but a child playing a game. You and your spirits are relics of the past, which self-centered nature's wish to keep the status quo, so by killing you, I'm helping your world learn that only the strongest survive. Good-bye Avatar!" Savage whispered into her ear intending to snap her spine.
"Ahhhhhh! Someone help me please!" Avatar screamed; insider her the spirit fragments were trying to help her use the full power of Avatar State to survive, but her mind was to panicky to hear what they were trying to say. Savage was grinning as he got ready to snap her spine when something painful struck him in the back and started slicing up his skin. Someone drove their fist in the back of his head and by some astonishing feat of strength he was flung backwards over Red Arrow's shoulders with two sharp arrow tips driven into his elbow joints. Red Arrow threw an explosive keeping him disoriented and trapped for the time being.
Avatar got to her feet and used an earth line attack launching several twisted columns across the ground creating a twisted cage of earth that would hopefully slow him down. She condensed the water onto the columns creating icy pillars followed by a full raging ring of fire enhanced by air currents moving in closer and closer to swallow him up. "You thought to destroy the Avatar cycle. To escape punishment and kill the Guardian Spirits of the Five Nations? You're arrogance matches only your gull! We shall do what needs to be done to fulfill our promise!" Avatar got ready compress all the elements together to kill him, when someone grabbed her from behind twisting her to face him. She was suddenly looking into the unmasked eyes of Roy Harper. "Why are you stopping me? Don't they deserve to be punished?"
"No Avatar, Korra stop this! You're not a murderer! Don't let the Spirits control you! Killing the Light won't let restore balance to me or Speedy. I don't know if this is some sort of test from the Spirits or what you truly want, but please listen to me," he said pulling off his mask so she was looking directly into his eyes. " I know you, I care for you. You helped me through a dark time showing me that revenge wasn't going to make me feel any better. You said the past Avatars had wisdom to share, what is your wisdom? What do you want to do to restore balance?" he demanded trying to get her to focus on his words. "Please Korra, answer me."
Avatar looked into his eyes and let his words penetrate her soul. The Spirits were calming down and letting their anger subside. They had initially believed drastic action was called for with these seven, but because Korra was showing restraint they were ready to share a secret with her, the secret of how to use energybending. "My wisdom is that while brute strength is powerful, the power of friends and teamwork can accomplish anything. Red Arrow, Roy, I know what I have to do. There's a way to restore balance to you and your twin without taking their lives so to speak. I need you and the others to pin down the Light in a circle. Keep them from moving long enough for me to let the Spirits help me out."
"I can do that. Guys, new plan help the past Avatars trap their opponents and bring them to the center platform. Be ready to protect them. Artemis, Rocket, move Speedy's pod to the center as well," Red Arrow shouted. Placing his mask back on he notched a few arrows and nodded at her. "Ready?"
"Ready."
Klarion was having a grand time using his chaos magic to play around with Raidon and Zantana. At the moment he was playing his version of ping pong using them as them as the ball, while he batted them around with his magic. "Hee, hee, this is the most fun I've had in weeks! I just love playing with my new toys! See Teekle, I told you there was nothing to worry about. I can handle these losers."
"Meow, hiss, reow!" Teekle warned the Witch Boy not to get complacent, but Klarion didn't heed the warning. Big mistake as Zantana took a chance to act instead of react. Her training session with Fate a few days before had taught her a few useful spells.
"Fortuna fates seal thy evil!" Zantana called out, casting her spell as she was upside down. Two golden magic circles appeared trapping the familiar and witch zapping them of their magic powers. Both Raidon and she were dropped onto the ground where she handspring upright casting another spell trapping them into ankh shape shackles. "Raidon, do it!"
"Let us see you escape the fires of punishment this time monster!" Raidon summoned more lava from underground swirling it all around until the boy was encased in it. Using air he cooled it down only to add several layers of ice and earth dotted with powerful flames to keep him trapped. With a mighty breeze he deposited Klarion in the center where Zantana transported him both as they waited for the others to join them.
Brain was next to fall as Yangchen used air strikes to tear and erode his protection off his robotic form. Kid Flash darted in close and managed to hit a few buttons deactivating his motors so Brain couldn't move. Brain was sucked underground and popped back up on the center platform where he was trapped in a water dome waiting for Yangchen and Kid Flash to arrive.
Aqualad and Ocean Master were locked in a water battle. Ocean Master was using water spells to attack and defend himself against Aqualad's hard water constructs. He grinned as he managed to hit Aqualad in a critical spot on his leg causing the team leader to fall. He lashed out to rip off his arm only to be countered by a surge of electricity zapping him. Aqualad ignored his pain kicking his opponent in the side twice and pressing his charged hand into Ocean Masters back trying to take him down.
"I've had just about enough of you stupid brat! Let's see how you like being stabbed!" Ocean Master told him whipping out his trident and spearing the teen in the stomach. He was about to grind it around when a fissure opened up beneath him causing him to lose his balance. A funnel of fire blew out of the ground forming a flaming cage all around the rogue Atlantian. "Ahh it burns!"
"Trust me it's going to get a lot hotter once I'm through with you!" A swirling vortex of boiling water formed around Ocean Master creating a chocking steam that blinded the Light member as he was transferred to the central platform. "Are you coming Water Tribe Child?"
"Atlantian and yes."
Kyoshi used her fans to blow gusts of powerful wind lifting Queen Bee high into the air. Miss Martian used her psychic abilities to pin the tyrant's limbs to her side. The imprisoned queen thrashed about trying to use her enthralling abilities to help get her free. "Kyoshi, if you have a way to keep her in place you might want to do it. I don't know how long I can hold her with her struggling like this!"
"Believe me strange child, this woman isn't going anywhere!" Kyoshi said. The female warrior used flaming circles to imprison the woman and then created pillars of earth and chains of deadly ice to suspend Queen Bee on the central platform. Kyoshi took a running leap using the air to help control her descent as she landed next to her prey with Miss Martian floating in nearby using her psychic talents to keep Queen Bee under control.
Superboy and Luther were locked in hand to hand combat. Luther was trying to tear off Superboy's arms while Superboy tried to kick him in the groin. The half Kryptonian teen head butted his foe before tossing him over his shoulder. Luther didn't have a chance to recover as Superboy rammed him into the ground. Roku created several fire whips melting more armor until it was slag. Roku then bent the earth around his target creating a compact ball of earth that Luther couldn't escape. A blast of cold air was all that was needed to push him where he was suppose to go.
The last two Lights were tricky to get under control, but Robin and Red Arrow were sly. Robin managed to twist about and finally grab Ra's daggers driving them through the League of Shadows leader shoulders and cape pinning him to ground so Aang could trap him as he once did Ozai only with an air cage to keep him under control. Red Arrow used a quantum arrow combo with Avatar's fire and earth bending to maneuver Savage to the central platform where Artemis and Rocket were awaiting the rest of the team.
All seven Light members were now trapped in a circle as all the past Avatars plus Korra placed their hands on their heads and heart. Their eyes glowed white as they attempted to carry out justice. "I/we would advice not struggling. You're corrupted spirits are strong, but we are stronger. We won't allow your spirits to corrupt ours." The Light started shouting as they started to glow different colors while all the Avatars glowed white. Young Justice watched as the evil inside the captives tried to take over the past Avatar's spirits. It was a battle of wills as the white tried to keep the other lights at bay, but evil was slowly winning.
"Korra, don't give up! You can't let them win!" Artemis cheered on her teammate.
"You can do it girlfriend just believe in yourself!" Rocket added.
Flashbacks appeared in Korra's mind. She saw herself with her parents and Master Katara in the compound learning more about bending. She was on Air Temple Island enjoying a meal with Tenzin and his family. She was pro bending with Mako and Bolin and then fighting Equalists with Lin Bei Fong. Hanging out with Asami and riding Naga. Meeting the League and having fun with her Young Justice friends. Spending time with Master Tornado and getting close to Red Arrow. The memories surged through her giving her strength to fight off the evil spirits.
A white light shot into the air as golden energy streamed out of the Lights' bodiesz collecting itself into her water pendant. Her own body started glowing gold as she sparkled with an inner light. Finally, her pendant was filled and the other Avatars reentered her body. The Light was released as Avatar fainted into Red Arrow's arms.
The Light looked very weak and were feeling drained. At the moment they couldn't access their powers or strengths. As they struggled to their feet to attack, Young Justice combined their talents with the free floating spirit fragments, to send them flying far away. The League would pick them up hopefully, but right now they needed to take the bioship to the Watchtower and get help for Speedy and Avatar.
It was a few hours later and the team of heroes had gathered at the Watchtower to compare notes. The Light had managed to escape once more even in their weakened state. It was a serious blow, but Green Lantern Hal had informed the League that John Stewart and the Guardians had uncovered evidence of the missing sixteen hours. He'd be back on Earth by next week to share what he found so that was good.
Young Justice was being treated in the infirmary as their mentors asked them questions about what had happened. They were blown away by the description of the battle, but were still confused by what the Spirits and Korra had actually done to the Light. Dr. Fate and Atom were examining the glittering pendant trying to figure out what it contained.
Green Arrow, Red Arrow, and Black Canary had gathered in one of the recovery rooms watching as the original Roy Harper was defrosted and slowly brought back to life. They couldn't believe that he was here, and despite the obvious amputation to his arm, they were happy he was in relatively good shape.
"I can't believe that Cadmus would cut off his arm. Why would they do something like that?" Green Arrow whispered. He looked at the boy feeling guilty that he hadn't realized the truth sooner and rescued him.
"They probably did it to get a lot of genetic material so they could create me. Either that or he tried to escape; I don't really have memories of being in a pod."
"Roy, you have to stop blaming yourself for actions beyond your control. You didn't ask for any of this. You should be proud of finding him."
"I am Dinah, but please don't call me that. I can't keep living his life now that we found him. I don't know what my future is now, but at least I won't be living a lie anymore."
Green Arrow and Black Canary were about to talk to him when the doors opened letting in more guests. Young Justice walked over to Red Arrow asking how he was doing while the Trinity joined by Red Tornado and Dr. Fate discussed what they had learned.
"So what exactly is contained in that pendant? What did Korra take from the Light?" Red Arrow asked curiously.
"As far as I can tell it appears to be purified quintessence, life energy. The amount inside this small pendant is staggering considering how much it totals too. I have no idea though why she would bend it," Dr. Fate explained.
"Korra has yet to awaken, the act of having the Spirits control her body and energybend the quintessence, has left her unconscious. I fear that we won't know what it's for a while," Red Tornado admitted. It was hard to tell with his robotic face, but you could tell he was worried for his sidekick.
"Is she going to be okay?"
"According to our instruments she just needs rest to recover her strength. She'll be okay. In the meantime, we need to concentrate on helping Speedy recover. He's been frozen for three years and there could be some damage to his internal organs. We'll monitor him of course, but it could be awhile before he awakens," Wonder Woman told the teens, giving a glance to the comatose boy.
Before more questions could be asked the doors slid open again. Everyone looked in surprise as Korra stood there. Superman started to move towards her to help her when Batman held him back and indicated towards her glowing white eyes. She was in the Avatar State again and by the humming in the air it was the Spirits in control again.
Nobody moved as she walked over and took the pendant back from Dr. Fate and approached both Speedy and Red Arrow. She bent a low level flame and started to bring it over the unconscious boy, when Green Arrow grabbed her arm. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Peace archer; we are only keeping our promise to Red Arrow and his twin. No harm will come to either one, allow us to continue," the Spirits/Korra said. GA let her go as they watched her use firebending to warm up the body. A gentle layer of dirt was then added mixed with water to heal his outside as a gentle breeze purified his insides. Pouring the quintessence over her hands as she tenderly started moving the life force throughout Speedy's body.
Superman and Superboy could tell she was using his chi pathways to fix any damage. There was nothing she could do to regrow the missing limb, but before their eyes the fifteen year old aged to eighteen as the energy formed a prosthetic limb. With her hands still glowing, she placed her hands on Red Arrow's chest circulating the energy through his body and slightly altering his DNA. His hair darkened and grew out, his body becoming slightly slimmer and tanner and his eyes becoming blue green. She then placed her hands on both their heads as her eyes flashed white. Red Arrow could feel his memories of the past three years flowing into Speedy and his own early memories being unlocked.
Finally Korra dropped her hands and turned to face the group. "It is done. As promised, we have restored balance to these two twins."
"I don't understand what did you do exactly to them?" Kid Flash asked curiously. He kept looking back and forth between the two red heads trying to make sense of what had happened.
"The Light stole three years of Roy Harper's life and forced another to live a lie controlling his fate. Because Korra was strong enough to resist the urge to kill them; we collectively took three years from them. The process has left them weak and for a time unable to use their gifts, but they will recover. Using the energy we have given back the time stolen to the original and made the second one a fraternal twin so he may be free of their curse. Both are now able to live their lives as they see fit."
"Poetic justice if you ask me," Artemis said and they others agreed. It was the best outcome they could hope for.
"Yes, we will return at the designated time to take Korra home. Please make these last few days memorable. She deserves it and will need her rest if she is to face the Revolution and Amon. Red Arrow, Korra's private offer still stands, the choice is yours. Until then goodbye." The Spirits let Korra go and she sank into Red Arrows arms, curling protectively into them. The teams were so busy dealing with their two patients they didn't have time to focus on the last bit from the spirits.
The last few days of being in the Young Justice World were some of the most memorable ones for Korra. She was really going to be sad when she left. At least something good happened on Tuesday. As soon as she arrived from school Red Tornado informed her and Connor that Naga was in labor.
"She is, oh my I got to get down there right now! Oh, this is exciting! Come on Connor, its time!" Korra exclaimed dragging the boy down to the lower levels. Zantana started calling the others while M'gann got warm blankets, hot water and other things she thought that newborn pups would like.
Wolf was very tense and on edge as Korra and Conner entered the den. He was growling showing his teeth and ready to snap at two, but Connor whispered softly assuring him they were only there to make sure his mate was alright and the pups arrived safely. "It's going to be okay boy. Don't worry; I'm sure Korra's done something like this before. Right?"
Korra bent a rock shelter over the den and started gathering water that she was using to ease the pain from the contractions. "Not exactly, Connor. Master Katara taught midwife skills, but there weren't any expecting females in the compound. Still, between your senses and my bending, this is sure to be a smooth delivery. You doing okay girl?"
"Howl, pant awhooo pant," Naga lightly growled. She was in so much pain. Her body arched as another wave of contractions hit. Wolf knelt next to her and pushed a water bowl closer so she could drink up. He nuzzled her and licked her face encouragingly. Naga turned to lick him when another contraction hit and she yelped out in pain.
"It's okay Naga, the first baby is coming. Connor, is there any problems with the pup in birth canal? I need to know if I need to reach in and pull it out."
"The pup is large; all four of them are large by the looks of it. I'm not sure if any of them can slide out. Oh the canal's stretching here comes the first one. Its being pinched you need to get it!" he told her as he used his x-ray vision to keep track of the birthing process.
"On it, okay girl don't push until I tell you. There that's right, I've got my hands, carefully rotating and gently moving it along, he's out! The first one is out. Wolf, get over here and start stimulating him before attaching him to a teat!"
"Woof!" The giant wolf gently lapped his son's face, causing the pup to whimper. Gently he nudged the pup towards a teat where he started suckling with no problems.
"Okay, girl do you think you can push the other ones out? Alright, here comes another one, do you see any problems Connor?"
The teen shook his head. "No, the next two are a bit smaller. Okay they're coming fast be ready and you got them! Okay, all that's left is to get the runt out and make sure the afterbirth is delivered. Man, this is the grossest thing I've ever done," he said moaning. He was covered in birth sacks as Wolf tended to the pups needs.
"Stop whining, birth is the most beautiful and natural experience in life! Okay Naga, last one and I got him! Okay just finish cleaning him up and I'll get the afterbirth for you to feed on. Man, these pups are about the size of two months old; no wonder you had problems. Its okay girl they're all okay. Congratulations girl, you have four healthy pups!"
Both parents woofed in agreement as they started tending to their little brood of rambunctious pups. There were two boys and two girls. They all had yellow eyes, ivory white fur and big appetites. The first one looked exactly like his father except for his long and stronger looking front legs and paws. The first female had Wolf's ears and eyes and tail, but the rest of her body was exactly built like her mom. The second female was smaller with a big chest and one wolf ear and mussel. Her hindquarters were very lean. The little runt had a silver belly streak and his mom's face. His tail was nice and bushy. All four were eagerly making whimpers as they guzzled down milk. Wolf wrapped himself around his mate and kept the pups warm. Surprisingly, the pups eyes were partially opened and they seem to be able to hear already.
"I think they'll do just fine, they just need to gain some strength. Do you want to help name them?" Korra asked, as she started to wash her hands.
"I might not be the best one for names, why don't you use traditional names from the Water Tribe?"
"Hmm, Naga, Wolf do you mind if I name the pups? No, well okay, I'm naming the first big guy Nanook, it means bear. The female with the wolf ears I'm calling her Kallik, means lightning and the other female Silaluk, which means storm. The little runt is called Taqqiq meaning moon. Do you like those names?"
The pups responded with happy woofs and the parents gave a knowing look. Connor used his phone to take some pictures and they left the family to bond. They had to share the news with the rest and what had been decided about their future. As expected the girls were all gushing over the pictures of the pups and the boys were commenting on how strong they looked. Captain Marvel, who had rushed over when he heard the news, wanted to play with the pups, but was told they needed to bond with their parents. Everyone was really happy and couldn't wait to see them in person, but it was Black Canary who asked the difficult question.
"Have you two decided what you're going to do with this little family? Will Naga be staying here with Wolf or Wolf going with Naga?"
Connor shook his head as he replied to the question. "No, that's not the plan. Korra and I, we touched their spirits. Wolf is my spirit guide and he knows he needs to stay with me, help me on my road to finding my place. The same goes for Naga being with Korra. It wouldn't be right to separate them. So with the parents we came up with a compromise."
"What sort of compromise?"
"Nanook will be staying with his father. He resembles Wolf the most and is the alpha of the brood. He can grow strong here. With your technology you can synthesize the milk, his mother's fur and such. He won't forget his mom and besides they inherited her spiritualness so they'll be able to communicate over the distance with one another."
"Why not leave a little female as well? Wouldn't that be fair?" M'gann asked.
"Wolf doesn't think he can handle two pups and the females are more polar bear dog then wolf. It would be better if they stayed with their mother. If they change their mind then we'll let Silaluk stay with him. They're only a two hours old and we have a few days left. We'll make the right choice later if we have to; including any vet care we want to give them. In the meantime let's celebrate a successful delivery and the happy couple."
"Yeah party central! Let's dance!" Wally shouted and the others agreed. Soon a party was underway and everyone was having fun including a newly released Roy who was starting to integrate himself in with Young Justice. Red Arrow was showing him around and answering his questions. He gave Korra a look and knew they be talking about something later.
Korra's last day of school was bittersweet. She had gotten her midterm grades back and was very pleased she got an A in all her subjects except sociology where she got a B. It was still validation on how much she had changed. She managed to control her emotions as she said goodbye to Wendy and Marvin. She accepted Mr. Carr praise and was delighted when he gave her extra copies of her texts and a few other books for her to keep up her studies. She actually hugged him and thanked him for everything he had done. As she took one last look at Happy Harbor High she knew that she would never forget it.
The night she was packing up her room and stuff. Batman and Superman had wanted her to leave a lot of her stuff behind, but Wonder Woman and some others pointed out that if the Spirits were fine with it, some her prized possessions could come. She gave most of her clothes to Zantana, but kept a few prized outfits. She also was taking some of favorite foods, books, and music with her. She was a bit disappointed that she couldn't take a TV and computer with her, but considering neither would work it didn't matter. At least she was keeping her modified pro bending uniform. With one last look around her cave room she hurried to the central hub to say goodbye to all her friends.
When Korra entered the central hub she was surprised to see a party waiting for her. Young Justice along with their mentors and even Speedy was there waiting to celebrate with her. Naga was already there woofing in delight as Wolf groomed her. Their pups were playing at their feet, yapping excitedly seeing all the decorations and people for the first time. The teen felt her eyes water with tears of joy. "This is all for me? I can't believe that you guys would do something like this. It's incredible!"
"Hey, girl we couldn't just send you back without throwing you a killer sendoff. It wouldn't be right and I doubt you want to miss out on this mega chocolate cake," Raquel told her handing her a huge piece.
"Besides, after everything we've been through in the past three months, it nice to let our hair down and have a little fun," Zantana admitted playfully.
"So who's up for a little dancing? Time to cut a rug!" Wally hollered earning laughs. Korra grabbed his arm and twisted him around. Music started playing and soon everyone was having fun dancing and sharing food. There was a lot of talk and helpful advice about how to deal with Amon and his Equalists, but unfortunately no ideas on how to prevent her bending from being stolen.
About thirty minutes before the Spirits scheduled arrival Korra was sitting down as the team presented her with a farewell gift. "You guys didn't have to get me anything. What is it?"
"Why don't you open up and see? I hope you like it; we really worked hard on it!" M'gann babbled happily.
Korra tore off the wrapping and was speechless as she looked a beautifully crafted scrapbook. There were pictures of all her friends hanging out, on missions or training. They had each written quotes and added some special touches or pieces to remind her of their time together. Tears filled her eyes and she hugged each of them thanking them over and over for such a thoughtful gift.
"That is not the only present for you. I have something for you as well. I never knew the joys of being a mentor until you arrived. I hope that my teachings will help you become a great Avatar. This is my gift to you," Red Tornado said handing her a small box. Inside was a beautiful sapphire water droplet necklace. He gently placed it around her neck and she hugged him and gave him a kiss.
"Master Tornado, you were the best airbending teacher I could ask during my stay here. I'll miss being your sidekick. Thank you everyone, I have something for you as well. As member of the Southern Water Tribe, we value friendship and family ties above anything else so that we may survive. It took me a while, but I made all of you authentic water tribe bands, so that you will always remember me," she told them, handing everyone a woven band.
"Your gift is greatly appreciated Korra. We won't ever forget you and if the fates are kind we will see you again some day," her mentor told her slipping on the gift.
"You have grown from the impulsive arrogant teenager we first encountered into a more open minded and mature individual. You still have a ways to go when it comes to mastering your emotions and maybe hand to hand combat, but all of us have a feeling you'll be alright," Superman told her and she smiled at that.
"Thank you for all your kind words. I admit that when I first came here I was sullen and frustrated. I didn't want to admit that I needed to change and grow. I thought I could just muscle my way through everything and be the best Avatar ever with just bending," she admitted looking at each of them. "All of you helped me realize that it's not a weakness to ask for help or that opening up to my spiritual side would make me lose myself. I'm a better person because each of you shared with me your wisdom and ideals. I can only hope that I can use the lessons I learned here to help Amon and his followers realize that they don't need to use violence to help their cause."
"It will be a difficult road to change the minds of stubborn people, but I believe that you are stubborn enough to get through to them," Aquaman replied, the other members of the League nodded, knowing she would have an uphill fight when she returned home. Hopefully, their teachings would help her resolve the conflict.
"That's for sure. I wonder were Red Arrow is? I thought he be here to say goodbye," Green Arrow mused. Everyone looked around wondering where he was too. They didn't think he was going to miss his chance to say goodbye.
"I'm here and I'm going to say goodbye, but not to Korra," a voice said quietly. Red Arrow entered the room in civilian wear carrying two large suitcases and a backpack full of his belongings with his bow and quiver strapped to his back. Everyone looked at him confused, but Korra understood at once.
"You're coming with me aren't you? I didn't think you accept my offer."
"Wait a just a minute, what's going on? Roy, are you really leaving us to go with her?" Robin asked in disbelief.
"You're trading the twenty first century and modern connivances to go to a world that hasn't even invented TV? Dude that's crazy!"
"Crazy or not it's his life, his choice Wally."
"Red Arrow, Roy are you sure about this? There's no turning back if you do go," Green Arrow started to say, when he was interrupted.
"Kilchi. My name isn't Roy that belongs to my twin. I chose to honor our Navajo heritage. My new name means red boy and it's symbolic of me starting my new life. I know that you're all shocked by this, but please hear me out," he said setting his luggage down for a minute. Though he was addressing everyone he was looking at the Arrow family as he tried to explain his reasons. "Everything I thought I knew about me was a lie and since finding out all I could think about was finding Roy, making things right for taking over his life even if I didn't know about it. I never thought about what I would do after that. Who I would be or what I would do. I need to find my own way in life, my own path to who I want to become."
"Korra offered me a chance to go with her and I've accepted, but not because I'm running away from you all. I need a fresh start in place where the Light can't use me against the people I care about. To give Roy a real chance to bond with each of you and become the hero he's meant to be. I will miss all of you a lot, but I can't stay in place with so many memories or with people who think they know me better then myself. I need to find myself and I think I can do that with Korra. Do you understand Ollie, Dinah?"
"We understand Ro, I mean Kilchi, and know that you have our blessing. We'll miss you as well. I hope that you find what you're looking for," Black Canary said hugging him.
"Don't forget you'll always be part of our family no matter where you are. In my eyes you'll always be a hero," Green Arrow told him shaking his hand and patting him on the back. Roy and Kilchi also shook hands and wished each other luck.
On cue, an elemental portal opened up and hovering in the air was Yue joined by Agni and Amaterasu. Hei Bai and Ferrum were standing on the sides of the portal. They all looked at the heroes and the Avatar with pride in their eyes.
"Greetings Avatar, Naga, and everyone. We've come to take you home Korra. We have been watching you from afar and our very proud of all you have accomplished. You still have a ways to go to be a fully realized Avatar, but we are confident that you will succeed," Yue told her, smiling warmly at her.
"Thank you again for all your help. It was greatly appreciated," Agni added nodding at the heroes.
"To answer the unspoken question the tech can come with her. I have a very strong hunch it will help in the near future," Ferrum said, his fingers twitching in anticipation of having a chance to look at it.
Hei Bai roared his sentiment and Naga responded in kind. Amaterasu smiled and gave Kilchii a warm look. "Young man, we are aware of your choice to return with Korra and you should know that the chances of ever returning to your world are quite small. Still, I can tell by the look in your eyes that you have made up your mind. We welcome you to our world and we will watch over you while you settle. I hope that with your help Korra can accomplish her mission. The time to leave is now."
With one last heartfelt goodbye Korra and Kilchii climbed onto Naga with their bags with the pups going with them. Wolf and Nanook nuzzled her goodbye and they all walked through the portal and towards home.
Night had fallen and everyone had gathered in dinning room to eat dinner. The air was tense and everyone was quite. They were all anxious for Korra to come home that night. Asami looked at Mako who touched her hand reassuring her that he was there for her. Just then a bright column of light was seen outside. As quickly as it came it vanished and everyone was running outside, cheering as they saw Korra riding Naga up the path towards the temple.
"Korra, you're back! We missed you so much!" Jinora shouted gliding over to the girl.
"Naga it's so good to see you again! Oh are these your puppies? They look so cute!" Ikki said jumping up and down.
Meelo landed on her head and bit it gently as she dislodged him. He wrapped his arms around her hugging her tightly. "We missed you so much! We were worried about what the spirits did to you. Hey, who's this guy?"
"Korra! Man, are we glad to see you!" Bolin shouted as her ran to greet her.
"You look amazing, hey where did you get those boomerangs?" Asami questioned eyeing the weapon belt.
"Where have you been exactly? Who did you bring with you?" Mako asked eyeing the stranger with distrust.
"Korra, I'm alighted to see you once more. When the spirits told me that they had taken you away I feared the worst."
"Tenzin give the girl a chance to speak already. She's just returned and you're bombarding her with questions!"
"I'd listen to you're wife Tenzin. They'll be plenty of time for answers once we get inside."
"Thanks Chief Bei Fong, but I first want to introduce my companion. Everyone, I like you to meet Kilchi Harper also known as Red Arrow. He's my boyfriend I guess you could say," Korra said shocking everyone including Mako who couldn't understand. Kilchi shook their hands and helped Korra off Naga along with the pups. "Oh Tenzin, I have something to show you. Watch this!" She used airbending to pull him towards her surprising him. She then turned to Lin and used her gravitybending to hold her down. "Pretty awesome huh? Not only did I unlock my airbending, but I'm developing a new sub bending for air called gravitybending!"
"Whoa that is so amazing! You have to teach us that!"
"You must have a good story to tell. We were just sitting down for dinner. Why don't you come in and share with us everything that's happened in the last few days?"
"Sure Pema, but it's been three months for me. Okay, everyone stop talking at once! I'll tell you everything starting with how I learned that Councilman Tarlok was Yakon's son and how I nearly died if not for Naga and the Spirits intervention." For the next two and half hours between several interruptions and explanations Korra and Kilchii told their story astonishing everyone. She showed them her souvenirs. Kilchii showed them his skills and promised to further explain his origins later. For now it was time to get some rest. Tomorrow everything would resume.
Amon had also seen the light and knew the Avatar had returned. He gathered all his followers telling them that tomorrow the Revolution would take control of Republic City and equalize all the benders saving the Avatar for last. Once she was a non bender they would force her to what they wanted and the world would be a better place. It was going to be quite the showdown and no one knew who would be victorious.