Chapter 39: Ember Creation

Once Korra, Shiro, Su and Kuvira had returned to where everyone else was, Korra spotted a face she hadn't seen before, and given how he was singing, or rather trying to, he must have somehow been privy to her previous infobending. Frowning slightly, Korra said, "Wu, what are you doing here? And why are you trying to sing that song from earlier? Even I don't know the words now, since Raava erased everything useless from me!" Wu said exuberantly, "I don't need to know the words, Korra – the tune alone will make me a legend!" Korra smiled, saying, "I don't know whether to be happy some use came of that accursed song, or disturbed you have no reaction to the vision of Earth being destroyed." Wu shrugged, saying, "I prefer to not dwell on negative things. Like Jinshu Kuangmai, or extinction of life as we know it! I believe in the power of positivity." Speaking in as serious a tone as he could, Wu asked, "Speaking of positive – I have a letter for you. Want to read it? I'm pretty sure that you'll tearbend at some point." Korra gave him a glare, ignoring the out held letter, asking, "You didn't read it perchance, did you?" Wu looked very nervous saying, "Ah – uh – um - don't bloodbend me, please!" Korra frowning deeply as he cowered in fear, she calmly said, "No, I'm not going to bloodbend you. Now give it to me, and I'll read it when I see fit." Wu walked over more confidently, saying, "Here you go, Avatar Korra. I'll just stick around until you've read it."

Korra looked around, glad to see that people were no longer crying. Out of curiosity, Korra asked Jinora, "Did the image of Earth being destroyed seem filtered the second time around?" Jinora nodded, saying, "I saw only an odd, angular representation of it, as though from a machine's animated coloring book, a thousand Meesiles striking from a crude map of Earth, most hitting targets in the upper portion of the map. There was still the clear image of a thousand suns on the planet's surface, but all the awful detail was stripped away, only the text beneath giving me chills. 'This planet ran out of love. Make sure it doesn't happen to ours, by whatever means necessary.' I still retain the original vision, however." As Korra nodded, saying, "I still see it too – but the other stuff was removed. I can't even remember what most of it was now," Korra found herself wishing this cartoon version had replaced the original. Korra smiled as Asami said, "Same here, and Atokara says all she 'remembers' is the weird angular representation. If you ever think she needs to see it, you can give it to her again." Korra shook her head, saying, "No – I don't want that in my daughter's brain. So much death…"

Korra took a deep breath, saying, "Speaking of which, the whole point of that vision was so we could see that we cannot sit around idly and let Jinshu Kuangmai have time to develop similar weapons." Korra laughed weakly, saying as she felt some odd information flow, "Our greatest minds are unlikely to break my namesake metal's secrets any time soon, according to Raava. She assures me there's nothing we have to fear of Jinshu Kuangmai creating Korranium weapons." Kuvira said strongly, "That doesn't mean we should hold back. I'd like to see Wu and the other nation's leaders work hard to shore up Ba Sing Se against any Earth Empire attacks, before it's too late. If Jinshu Kuangmai takes Ba Sing Se, we'll have spirit troubles again, new spirit allies or not. Big troubles."

Wu shrugged, saying, "As far as I am concerned, I'm done. The United Earth Republic doesn't need royalty messing with it," Korra able to tell he was lying. Korra said, "I can tell you're lying, Wu. I just don't know why." Wu's face flushed briefly, saying, "You're right, Korra - if anyone wants me, I will help. It's not like anyone would ever elect a singing goofball like me to office, much less a relative of that monster Hou-Ting!" Surprised that Mako didn't clap, he continued, "While I do appreciate Mako not applauding my negative self-talk, I'm going somewhere else, letter read or not."

Mako nudged Kuvira slightly, saying, "Not so fast, Wu." Wu stopped walking away, Kuvira putting her shackled wrists back down as Mako said, "I don't think you're a total goofball - not any more. You helped with the evacuation in a big way, abdicated power, helped design a new form of government, suggested gay marriage be legalized in the United Earth Republic, and just now were brutally honest in a way I've never seen you be before." Mako continued, glad to see Wu looking at him without anger, "If I remember right, you don't have to run for office to be elected, with the way the charter was set up. Given Korra could tell you were lying, you still must want to help out the nation you helped lay the groundwork for." Wu nodded, saying, "Yes, I was lying. If Team Avatar wants, I will help with the United Earth Republic, particularly Ba Sing Se." Kuvira laughed lightly, saying, "Being of royal blood will help there, Wu - there were still people who wouldn't recognize my authority there, and not in just the Lower Ring either. I couldn't just lock up all the rich and influential people, no matter how much I wanted to. It wouldn't have made sense."

Korra could feel Raava trying to force-feed her some information, so Korra projected her out angrily, saying, "I already told you, Aang or another Avatar is going to do the filtering, until you prove you can handle yourself better! You got that?" Raava looked like she might swell up to full size, saying conflictedly, "Excuse me for trying to show you something I found ironic!" Korra coughed, saying, "Let's see what Aang has to say." As the 12-year old airbender joined Raava's side, he did not look amused, saying, "Apparently, Raava finds the ineptitude and barbarity of two Earth leaders ironic and funny, given Kuvira's little bit about royal blood, and making sense." Korra sighed deeply, saying, "Raava, why don't you talk with the other Avatars and Aang while I take care of more urgent business, like looking at my hands." Raava said softly, "Maybe I need to go see our shared past lives again so I can see what is and is not relevant from Earth better. I'll be available – a thousand years of retrospection inside my 'house' will only take a second of real time."

After Raava and Aang vanished, Korra saw one person who seemed to need asked Jinora, "What do you need, Jinora? Given the look on your face, it must have something to do with Kai." Jinora nodded her head, saying as she pointed at Korra, "I want you to show Kai the level of love you had for Asami before having sex the first time, like you did for me. I think he would appreciate it too." An emotional-looking Bolin and Opal approached Korra next to an interested Mako and Kuvira holding hands together. Korra half considered laughing and saying, "Come on - you guys are way older than Kai and Jinora, and should know better!" but something about the looks she saw in all four's eyes told Korra that laughing would be a bad idea. Showing greater restraint than Raava might have, she said, "I'd be glad to help anyone else in the same way, no matter their age," instead, smiling to see that Lin looked vaguely interested as well. Korra said, "They say it's never too late to find love, Lin," and was disappointed to see Lin blush and say, "Mind your own business!" before turning around in a huff.

Once she was done with all three couples, she smiled as Bolin laughed, saying, "Thanks, Korra - me and Opal hadn't even felt that very strongly at all yet." Mako just nodded his head in agreement, Kuvira saying with disgust, "I'm pretty sure that whatever I felt for Baatar Jr., it was decidedly not that. From what I can remember, it was a twisted version of oneness - me being the only one. At least I felt real love for Mako when I saw his little sweet vision." Given how Mako blushed when Kuvira hugged him, Mako may have been feeling more than just love from her embrace. Kai laughed, saying, "If you were an airbender, Mako, there's no way you'd ever fly. Not blushing like that!" Mako just let out a deep sigh, saying, "I can already fly, thank you very much, Kai. Just look at this blue fire I can ma - aw, man! It's red and orange and yellow again!" As Kuvira hugged him harder, the fire turned blue, Mako not saying anything for a while, given his lips were busy with a semi-consensual kiss. Kuvira finally withdrew, saying, "Maybe I will have to bend you just a little, Mako - your body and mind seem to be in…. disagreement." Mako said curtly, "I want to actually date before kissing like that, Kuvira." Korra couldn't even speak, she was laughing so hard, slapping Asami's back lightly given the irony of what Mako had just said; Korra had no experience "dating" Asami. Mako asked, figuring out why Korra and Asami were laughing so hard partway through his question, "Korra, Asami, why are you laughing so ha - oh. Nevermind."

Korra calmed herself back down, noticing it seemed like when she laughed, her eyes flashed brighter, given how she could see the light on her dark hands, even in the morning sun. Before Korra could say anything, she heard Raava intone Sorry about earlier – I think I can filter better now. Anyways… As I get more human-y, different, new things can boost the Avatar State. Taking a deep breath, Korra said the obvious, struggling not to laugh, "Mako, Asami and I didn't exactly date, now, did we? I can see some people looking at your new relationship with Kuvira in a similar light as my own unconventional relationship with Asami."

Lin had been becoming more uncomfortable over time, finally turning around with a flushed face, saying, "Bah – what do I have to lose. Why don't you show me this feeling as well, Korra, than we can move on to more relevant things." Korra laughed at the irony, saying as Lin approached, "If it weren't for my new love for Asami, we might not even be here in the first place. Probably trying in vain to get information about Jinshu Kuangmai from an uncooperative Kuvira, my past lives dead for good, and all sorts of other things I don't want to talk about." Korra took a deep breath, thinking, "Thanks for not showing me that alternate, Raava."

No problem. Though, in a bit, you will need to act as an information conduit, and a lot of it will be… unpleasant. Don't worry – I'll erase it when we're done.

Curious to see what Raava had in mind, Korra imparted what her love for Asami felt like to Lin, Raava helping by imparting what pure lust feel like in an information flow. Korra frowned, noting the knowledge stayed at first, but both its vanishing act and Lin's slight smile erased her bad mood. Lin said softly, "The closest I've come to feeling the love you showed me was when I saw my mother's life flash before my eyes. I never really felt the first feeling with Tenzin – we were young, and given my abominable behavior towards Pema when Tenzin broke up with me, if he ever felt the same way about me, my attempted jailing of Pema and rampage on Air Temple Island probably erased that." Tenzin nodded, saying curtly, "You're right, Lin. Part of me died after that, only to live again when I had my first child, Jinora." Pema was crying slightly, saying, "I still have the odd nightmare about that, Lin." Before Pema could continue, Lin ran over and hugged her, saying, "I just want you to know I'm as sorry about that as my own behavior towards Asami yesterday. I hope you're more understanding than I was with Kuvira." Pema nodded, saying, "I forgave you years ago. I'm just glad you no longer bottle feelings up inside, Lin, and I'm sure you can find someone some day, even if you can't have any kids."

Love finds a way.

Korra interpreted this to mean that Lin would find someone to be with, finding the idea of another Beifong giving birth at the age of 54 ridiculous. Korra said with a smile, "Apparently, Raava thinks you'll find someone, Lin, and I hope she's right. Raava told me earlier I was going to need to impart a massive amount of information, though I do not know where." Korra could feel a tug on her mind, and it seemed like Raava wanted to show her exactly that.

This is something I have never tried before, Korra. If you want to avoid information "sticking", which I know you will, you'll need to let me do this – directly.

Korra laughed, explaining what Raava had said, adding, "I don't see how this will be any different than an uncontrolled Avatar State, but I'll go along with Raava's odd request." Korra felt her eyes begin to glow, her arms moving wildly, as though she were a puppet controlled by a particularly inept puppeteer. Laughing hysterically, Korra broke the attempt, saying, "I think Raava needs some practice. I'm just going to do this the old fashioned way."

Korra could hear Raava sigh as she imparted her plan to Korra, Korra now realizing why Raava had wanted to attempt this strange new method. Korra said out loud, "Raava is going to impart everything to me, and then I will impart everything to a new section of Wan Shi Tong's library with restricted access. The 'Plane: Earth' wing. Only Raava can grant access to it, and a good portion of it will be in alien languages, such as the English you have already heard myself, Asami, Raava and Vaatu speaking. What people on Earth call 'Chinese' will be the only readable language for a non-Avatar."

Korra took a deep breath, eyes now glowing, thinking, "I'm ready for the information, Raava." As the information flowed, Korra found herself very glad that it would be erased afterwards, finding everything but the last century of Earth time very painful. Remembering she couldn't possibly hold all this information herself, and that she wouldn't want to anyways, she slammed her hand violently into the ground as she focused on Wan Shi Tong, hearing exclamations of fear and surprise as she did so. Korra was focused on giving a very surprised Wan Shi Tong a very, very, very huge gift, barely noticing a few surprised yelps from around her. Raava decided to just fill the whole huge library wing with Earth history, science, literature – "everything but the kitchen sink," an English phrase Korra liked. Korra laughed as she managed to barely hear Wan Shi Tong say, "Oh, my! I would have aligned myself with Raava much sooner if I knew she was going to give me this!" At first, Korra could sense Raava wasn't going to let Wan Shi Tong into his own new library wing, but after Korra simply thought, "Really?" Raava relented, granting the excited pedantic owl access. Korra added a large sign that said "No sharing any of this with unworthy mortals, Wan Shi Tong" inside the door, smiling to hear him hooting with laughter. As the last of the information flowed, Korra sighed, glad that everything had found a new home in Wan Shi Tong's library, and not her head.

When Korra opened her eyes, no longer feeling the infinite power of the Avatar State coursing through her, she took a look around, curious to see why people had been yelling. Seeing nothing, she said, "I figure I may as well read the letter now. I don't see anything odd that needs my attention." Ignoring some snickering, Korra was about to read the letter Wu gave her, but her eyes flashed briefly, Raava having apparated out, looking like she wanted to say something. Raava said, with a slight smile, "I placed a similar block on the new library wing, anyone deemed worthy of entering only having access to information relevant to their question. The information will be retrieved automatically, similar to an Earth technology that you most certainly cannot learn of just yet. Certain wings such as the science wing are practically inaccessible, unless the individual is close to figuring out a scientific truth anyways." Running back to Korra, when Raava re-entered, Korra noticed that she felt the same odd grip in her chest again.

Korra took out the letter, noting that she didn't have to break the seal, saying, "I guess you did read this, Wu – you didn't hide it very well." As everyone laughed, Korra read it, her eyes widened, starting to read it aloud after the first part to complete silence. "Dear Avatar Korra, I want to thank you for all your service through the years, both to Republic City and the world, at times at great personal cost. At the conference, you showed everyone how much you have grown, infobending other's talents or not. The manners you showed were nothing but your own. After seeing your encounter with Firelord Izumi, I wish to make an apology for my own past behavior. Her own refusal to take action against Kuvira now reminds me of my own refusal to aid the South in the Water Tribe Civil War. Even without knowing what was happening, the United Republic of Nations should not have stood idly by while one Water Tribe subjugated the other on flimsy pretenses. After some self-examination, I realized it was hypocritical of me, President of the United Republic of Nations, to not assist in that civil war, but demand the assistance of the Fire Nation and what few airbenders there are to defend my home city." Korra gulped before reading the next part, saying emotionally, "I know I haven't always been a good President, Korra - until somewhat recently, just a good politician. By the time you have read this, I will have already arrived back in Republic City and enacted a piece of legislation dear to your own heart. As soon as contact with Ba Sing Se is re-established, I will be working hard to ensure Jinshu Kuangmai makes no advances on the new United Earth Republic. I hope to see you again soon. Regards, President Raiko." Korra laughed lightly, reading the note at the bottom that said, "Buttercup sends her regards, and that she's sure your child will be a gift to the world worth starting a Spirit Civil War over."

Korra heard Asami speak first, saying in partial English, "Oh my God, Korra – we can get married soon!" Korra ran over and embraced Asami, saying, "Sounds good to me, Assami. Now let's keep the English to a minimum, especially since neither of us know who 'God' is, aside from a… useful exclamation." Raava began laughing hysterically, the teapot around her neck rattling at the same time. Korra sighed, saying, "Remember – no Earth stuff unless it is relevant." Asami added, "I only said that because we have no equivalent, and 'Oh my Raava' just sounds awkward." Once Raava and a temporarily visible Vaatu had stopped laughing, Raava said something in a language more guttural than English, Korra's brain translating it as, "Not even ze Germans are zis serious, Korra! I want to lighten you ahp!" Korra frowned, saying, "Enough messing around, Raava – I never thought I'd see you laughing along with Vaatu again. It looks like someone else wants to speak, so back in you go." Korra sighed in relief once the little rascal was back inside, listening to Tenzin say with a warm smile, "While I have no idea what to make of all that, I do know this. I am very proud of my daughter, Jinora, and look forward to helping you come up with rules for the new Air Nation. It's not very often someone comes up with a new airbending move" Jinora smiled, hugging her father then saying, "I'm going to be coming up with a lot more new forms – I get the feeling stealing someone's breath won't cut it against Jinshu Kuangmai, especially if he keeps those masks on his soldiers." Jinora continued, with even a hugging Pema making no squeamish motions, "There will be few, hard and fast rules, the way I see it. Rules just get in the way of judgment, something the new new airbenders will need. I hope that future airbenders will find a balance between principle and judgment."

Korra said, hoping to wrap up the conversation, "The kind of airbending ideals you want, Jinora, don't sound like they all come from one place. I get the feeling you may want to visit Wan Shi Tong's library for further help – I am sure the writings of Earth will provide some help. No planet can be all bad." Korra projected Raava out, asking, "Can you go ahead and give first access to the library to Jinora, Raava?" Korra laughed, remembering how everyone had stared at Mako when her memory had been wiped, glad to be on the other side. After about a minute of everyone staring at Raava, she said with a slight smile, "Fine – but only because the other Avatars talked me into it. I'm still the most powerful spirit in our universe, and won't be 'convinced' like Mako was to lie about his breakup with Korra." Mako, Bolin, Asami and Korra laughed heartily as Raava put a small hand on the ground. Korra was surprised to see Raava create blue lines on the ground, running up to Jinora's feet – and Asami's as well as her own.

After the blue lines vanished, Raava said, "Highest level clearance granted. What you see will still be subject to editing and censoring, however – I want the braintrust making its own discoveries." Korra laughed as Mako said with an even tone, "I want my swords sometime before the next Harmonic Convergence, so let's get busy." As everyone laughed, Korra saw Bolin form a mockup of his own sword from earth, saying, "We may as well make my sword at the same time - this is going to be the last time we're all together." Korra nodded, saying, "I think President Raiko and Ba Sing Se can handle themselves. We may as well do my twin armblades at the same time." Jinora shot an attention-grabbing blast of air skyward, saying, "Can we do my staff first? I took a peek at the blueprints last night when I was wide awake from Jang Hui kelp tea, and I think it would help with trying to convert Hei Bai." Korra nodded her head, saying, "That sounds reasonable to me. Now we just need the materials."

As everyone else milled around, seeming to have forgotten something major, Kuvira approached Korra, saying, "Can you give me the blade knowledge, Korra? I want to help Mako make his dual dao swords." Korra nodded, saying, "I should probably give it to Lin and Su as well - Lin loves her armblade, as she made all too apparent yesterday." Korra's hand now on Kuvira's forehead, Korra found an odd image, thinking, "What's that, Kuvira? It looks like new land." Kuvira didn't think anything until the transfer was complete, saying out loud, "Oh. I had totally forgotten about what happened when you hit your hand against the ground, Korra. Let's go there with Lin, Bolin, and Su - you're going to need their help. Probably Katara, your parents, and Kya as well, if they can do that powerful waterbending form you showed us Atokara performing."

After Korra had shown Lin and Su what they needed to see, both whipped out twin blades, laughing while they fought one another in a mock swordfight. After a few minutes with no decisive victor, Korra said, "Ahem. There was something Kuvira wanted to show me, that somehow needs both your assistance, as well as Bolin, my parents, Kya and Katara. Something about new land." Lin retracted one armblade, using the other hand to knock Su over, laughing as she said, "I win! We can have a rematch later on the Zhu Li." Korra said gently, "If we're going to be making four spiritwire weapons, one of which is very complicated and will require surgery to install, I think we're going to be here another day. Now come on, and help me with whatever this land thing is." Su said, while using earthbending to knock Lin down to her level, "Draw! Korra, why don't you just look out to the 'sea', and you'll see what side effect your little gift to Wan Shi Tong had."

Korra turned around, saying, "I didn't know you two were secretly little kids, but okay," stopping in her tracks when she saw what was in front of her. Apparently, Korra had accidentally done more than just build Wan Shi Tong a new library wing. Starting a fair distance from Ember Island's shore, Korra saw huge, muddy brown islands rising out of the sea to the northeast, one twice as tall as Ember Island. The larger island almost looked like it was big enough to hold the central portion of Republic City. Flaring her eyes white, Korra struck the ground, trying to make sense of what she saw with earthsense instead of her eyes. What Korra sensed shocked her. Flying up into the air to get a better view, using jets of blue flame like thrusters, Korra saw at least ten new islands. Flying in closer to the largest one, she looked at a gash of shimmering, glittering earth in its center.

The huge mineral vein.

Korra landed, yelling "Eeuch!" in disgust when she touched down on what was decidedly not land. Using the Avatar State, Korra removed all the thick, gooey earth and seawater from the island, depositing it nearby under the sea. Remembering from her earthsensing that this part of the sea was not very deep, Korra traveled to the other islands, cleaning them off and leaving many chunks of ore behind as she took the "waste" and built a muddy island next to where she had started, making sure that the new creation had good sea access. Ignoring her stomach's growl - for now - Korra brought her hands towards her chest and then swept them out to her sides, finally straining to bring them up. As her hands clenched near her sweaty chest, a massive swell of magma rose beneath the sea floor, bringing the new island closer to the surface. Unlike the swell of magma Korra had created underneath her new house, this one was intended to stay. As her hands lifted up towards the sky, veins of magma shot out from the central mass, lava from some hissing violently as the molten rock hit the ocean's waters. Korra strained, attempting to form a geologic feature the White Lotus told Korra Katara encountered in her youth – geysers. Korra had never seen one, let alone inspected its physical form, so she met with limited success.

Korra was about to give up in frustration, closing her eyes and yelling, "How does this stupid geologic feature work? Gah!" while maintaining her movements. She almost quit trying, but was stopped at the last second by an unexpected spirit. Wan Shi Tong's face appeared in the blackness, the wise owl saying, "Here – let me show you a diagram from Plane Earth. Their knowledge far exceeds ours, and this is nothing you couldn't see for yourself with earthsense on an actual geyser." Korra studied the image she saw, noticing that the veins of magma she had created were unnecessary. Opening her eyes, she re-directed their flow and forcibly cooled them, having memorized the figure. Muttering to herself in English, "Magma chamber near water source," Korra brought her hands together in a slashing motion, creating channels for the sea to come near the magma chamber – but not directly contacting it. Korra knew from the diagram that if the water directly contacted the magma, it would just turn to steam instantly.

Finally using her legs and arms in synch, she created outlets for the heated water, and given how violently the water exploded from the holes she had just created, Korra had narrowly avoided creating a massive explosion. Taking some ocean floor silt from around the island, Korra dumped the watery earth on the island, creating marbleized cones around the geyser's mouths. Korra could feel her body becoming tired, but pressed on, feeling refreshed after drinking some purified seawater. After expanding the island to a size more suited to a large geothermal-powered factory, Korra drew a blank, saying, "I may know what a factory looks like, but I sure don't know how to lay one out," as she wiped sweat from her brow, panting. Putting her hands together, Korra closed her eyes, attempting to contact Wan Shi Tong. From what Korra had seen, Earth factories closely resembled their own, and she wanted this factory to be as useful as possible.

Just let me finish from here, Korra – you need to get some food, and soon. Atokara already complained to me about Asami not eating yet.

Korra let Raava take full control of her body without reservations, feeling a complete lack of exhaustion from her body's exertions. As Korra allowed Raava to move her limbs, Korra felt an immense peace, something making her body laugh from glee and exhilaration. Once her body stopped moving, Korra opened her eyes, amazed to see the form of a very substantial factory and the rocky remnants of many ore lumps surrounding it. Korra felt an unfamiliar, tight gripping in her chest – a mix of pleasure and pain that felt wonderful regardless. Korra felt as though her heart were yin and yang, spinning. She flew over to the factory, exclaiming, "Wait – how did you fully form this functional factory, Raava? It even looks like it has a science lab! Just what did you do?"

As if answering her question, Korra felt the sensation in her chest intensify, Raava adding for good measure We have a strong bond, Korra – even before you faced Kuvira in Republic City almost a week ago, I've interacted more with you directly than any other Avatar in ten thousand years. After the past week, it's only grown stronger. Feeling a bit tired, Korra projected both Raava and Wan out, saying as she laid down, staring at the sky, "Wan, did you ever do anything crazy like this? Let Raava use you like a puppet? It felt…different than an uncontrolled Avatar State." Raava and Wan came closer, Korra now staring at Raava's white human-y form and Wan's blue projection. Wan nodded his head, saying, "While I don't remember letting Raava control my body directly, I think I can still help. I didn't show you at the time, but when I imprisoned Vaatu ten thousand years ago in the Tree of Time in the Avatar State, I felt a similar feeling in my own chest. Given my distaste for most humans and Raava's inexperience at the time, neither one of us knew what to make of it. I also felt it in my chest before my last breath and my death. What does it remind you most of, Korra?"

Smiling as she did so, Korra grabbed her jade betrothal necklace, saying one word: "Love." Korra closed her eyes, an image of Asami, a young Atokara and a familiar smiling white form the last things she saw.