Korra looked out the window of Tikivik's office. Buildings were blazing, and a mess of smoke and lightning lit the sky. Qilaq swung her leg over the bed and hobbled to look at the sight.
"Spirits… we're in trouble," Qilaq said.
"The United Forces should be on their way," Korra said.
"Not soon enough. This city will be destroyed if we don't manage to put our foot down," Qilaq said.
Ingyu cleared his throat and leaned against the radiator. His stare cut right through Qilaq.
"But we're what- five people? Tikivik certainly has her work cut out for her here. Then Noatak is out there- possibly killed. You have a leg wound. I'm a nonbender with only so much to do. And then there's Korra, but the Avatar was never meant to be a one-person army. We're neck-deep in shit. That's what we're dealing with," Ingyu said.
"Ever the optimist," Qilaq said.
"Look… I'm just trying to be realistic. I'd rather not be since this is our home, but look outside. That's the picture of chaos. I just hope we didn't send some United Forces crew on its death march," Ingyu said.
Korra took her mask and placed it over her face.
"Not if I can help it. Right now, my uncle is in trouble. You heard those White Squall guys… I know they're trying to kill him, and I'll save him myself if no one else will," Korra said.
"Damn it Korra, you can't go in there. We can't have the Avatar killed," Ingyu said.
"And I'm supposed to sit here and wait until they kill my uncle, Noatak, and every other innocent person?" Korra said.
"No… what I'm saying is you should at least bring me along," Ingyu said.
Qilaq huffed as she sat back on the bed.
"Sure… go and have fun without me," Qilaq said.
"We'll be back soon. Count on it," Ingyu said.
Korra and Ingyu ran out of the hospital and traveled on foot to the palace. The Northern Water Tribe capital had never felt so stifling hot in all of Korra or Ingyu's memories. They had to ignore the people crying at them, and the members of the military that were administering their justice. The violence of it all felt so hollowing and pointless. Korra stopped to turn around and look at the city.
"What do you think Hahn means to do with this?" Korra said.
"Fear is a powerful thing. I imagine that Hahn can convince the people anything if they're scared enough," Ingyu said.
The actual palace grounds were quiet and still cool. With relative ease, Ingyu and Korra disposed of the few guards that were in the front of the palace. They walked into the palace where Korra led him first to the west wing in hopes that her uncle would be safe. Strangely, the guards on their way to her uncle's chambers were all unconscious. Korra snuck around the pillars and before stopping in her tracks. A shuffle of feet could be heard approaching them. She turned to Ingyu and placed her finger to the mouth of the wooden mask. Ingyu nodded and settled behind a pillar.
"He hasn't come back," Desna said.
"Patience my prince. The chief will die tonight no matter what," Hahn said.
Underneath her mask, Korra bit her lips and clutched her mask to her face. Ingyu clenched his eyes shut.
"Besides… there's only one of the escape route that they could have escaped from," Hahn said.
"The Spirit Oasis…" Desna said.
"Let us pay a visit. Ulva has been bored," Hahn said.
As Korra heard their footsteps fade, she emerged out of the pillars' shadows and started to breathe. Ingyu just stood there clutching at his stomach.
"I'm sorry Ingyu… but I have to follow them," Korra said.
"I know… I'm just trying to settle my body into the idea of storming into an assassination… I'm definitely not used to this," Ingyu said.
"Stand behind me then," Korra said.
Korra quickly walked through the west wing and back to the main corridor. She remembered only a little of what her uncle told her about the path to the Spirit Oasis. The path stood directly behind the main hall of the palace. The path had always been there, and it always meant the same thing. Tui and La's power delineating from the moon and directly to the Northern Water Tribe's royal family. All Northern Water Tribe royal families were strong warriors, and sometimes they were also the most powerful of waterbenders. In fact, Korra was one of many members of the royal families that happened to be the Avatar. Walking down the path reminded her of this heritage.
As they walked on the bridge, Korra turned to Ingyu and stopped him.
"Stay out here. I need you to save everyone if I don't," Korra said.
"Do not call too late… If you need my help, say the word," Ingyu said.
"Thank you."
Korra hugged Ingyu and ran into the oasis. She hid herself in the entrance where no one could see her. In her view, she could make out Desna and Hahn towering over people. Then as she saw Hahn walk around, the sight of Chu, Iluq, her uncle, and Noatak came to view. Hahn's hands crept over Noatak's face before he placed his hands around Noatak just like Amon did- just like how she remembered it. Her throat closed in while her heart sped so fast that her body felt too light and dizzy.
"It's too bad that I'm not nearly as talented as you are. I would certainly pluck your bending if I could… It does no good to have people more powerful than you around," Hahn said.
Korra swallowed. She needed to not fear- to be strong like all of her ancestors were, like her heritage demanded. Sense told her to carefully plan before she went in, but instinct said she needed to save the people she loved. Her body needed no convincing. Instead, her legs followed and ran into the oasis.
"So what do you think about the Avatar then?" Korra said.
She pulled off her Blue Spirit mask and smiled. She entered into her fighting stance. Hahn turned around and smiled back.
"Nice of you to come join your family… oh… and well I guess it isn't fair to call him your former adversary… That does some injustice to the reality. What is it now? Lover is it?" Hahn said.
Korra's stance faltered.
"How…" Korra said.
"Let me tell you something… I never forget a face," Hahn said.
Hahn stepped away from Noatak. His hands contorted and lifted Noatak into the air. The twitching of his limbs showed the absolute strain it took Hahn to do this, but no one could say he didn't have the endurance for it as he looked at Korra's horror.
"It's funny. Isn't it? Everyone in Republic City wondered what Amon looked like underneath his mask, but all that time… he looked just like his brother. So when I saw him at your little gala, I could only guess. Then when my spies found him and heard a little bit of his conversation with Qilaq... my suspicions were confirmed," Hahn said.
Hahn's hands moved to flip Noatak to the ground. His foot stomped on Noatak's head and grinded it into the ground. He took his foot off and froze Noatak back onto his knees.
"I must say Amon… you're surprisingly virile for a man your age, but she made you weak," Hahn said.
Korra regained her composure and punched a gust of air at Hahn. Surprisingly spy, Hahn jumped out of the way and composed thin, window-like sheets of ice in front him.
"You'll have to do better than air Avatar… Ah… that's right…" Hahn said.
Hahn swiped his arm over ice and sent the shards flying towards Korra. She instinctively let her arm up and waved the ice away with more wind. Hahn cackled and gathered more water to his hands.
"…You don't bend anything but air anymore. All thanks to him," Hahn said.
This time, Korra sent a whirlwind toward Hahn. He dodged and responded with a jet of water. She wasn't going to win this fight the longer they continued at this range, she thought. Korra needed to get closer. Then, she would be able to chi block Hahn, and then she could consider this a better match. Korra moved in closer to Hahn as he whipped water in her way. She flipped over and ducked to catch Hahn's arm. Her hands quickly jabbed before Hahn grabbed her hair and pulled her down. He readied the icicles at his fingertips and traced Korra's jaw line. Korra closed her eyes and let a few teardrops roll down her face. Hahn snorted.
"You are making this too easy for me," Hahn said.
Hahn's fingers moved upward. He pushed the ice daggers into Korra's cheek and dragged them downwards. Blood spilled onto his fingers and down his hand. Noatak looked to his side. Unalaq and Iluq's head tilted downwards while Chu looked up and watched his father cut Korra's other cheek. Desna and Ulva were preoccupied with Hahn's show as well. Noatak could see the bloodlust in Ulva's eyes form. Meanwhile, the ice melted from his knees and wrists. Quickly, Noatak broke free and looked at Hahn. His mind took hold and threw Hahn up in the air. Hahn could only smile as Noatak's mind contorted him. Ulva saw this and screamed. Her scream pierced through every ear as she threw her arms towards Noatak and bent him backwards. Hahn dropped to the ground and nodded to Ulva. Ulva licked her teeth and started to suspend Noatak into the air. Her hands clasped together, and Noatak reached for his throat as he began to choke. Korra sprung back up. She ran towards Ulva before Desna blocked her. He flung her back onto the ground where he made her watch the blood pool at Noatak's head. Her body shook and started to feel strangely not her own. Tears streamed again from Korra. She reached out to Noatak.
"Noatak!" Korra said.
Korra's eyes closed as she fell back. When they opened, the glow illuminated the entire oasis lit up. The energy emanating from Korra's body shook the oasis. Ulva's bloodbending grip fell as a violent storm of wind and ice swept her up. Noatak fell down and looked at Unalaq, Iluq and Chu break free from the ice. Hahn only laughed, as he looked on Korra in her Avatar State- a fury of elements threatening to tear the Spirit Oasis in two. Hahn smiled knowingly. He pulled the waterfall towards Korra and created a waterspout to consume her. Even in the Avatar State, Korra could not avoid being sucked into the spout. Hahn froze Korra in place. Noatak made his stance smirked.
"I wouldn't do anything if I were you, not when Ulva hasn't had her fill of blood tonight… You wouldn't do that- put her and your child to death…. And end the Avatar cycle?" Hahn said.
Noatak stepped back.
"Good boy. Now sit back and enjoy," Hahn said.
Hahn shattered the ice and bent Korra back to his side. Out of nowhere, Ingyu sprinted in and threw a smoke bomb. He grabbed onto Iluq and pulled her toward the waterfall. Noatak fell to his haunches and looked at Ingyu outrun the smoke. He rushed over to Chu and pushed him to his hands and knees. Chu fought back before he realized that Noatak was pushing him to the waterfall.
"Noatak! Let's get the fuck out of here!" Ingyu said.
Noatak went back into the thick of the smoke.
"Korra!" Noatak said.
He felt someone's hand grip his wrist and pull him back.
"We can save her later," Unalaq said.
Before he could see it, Chu and Unalaq were taking him down into the pool below the waterfall. Noatak only felt the sinking feeling despite Chu and Unalaq pushing them down the waterways. He could not stop feeling like he was drowning.
Note: I wish I could have made this look as exciting as my mind depicted it or even make half as much sense as it. Still... bam! Avatar State! It's all too exciting.