Quicksand
Summary: Please leave comments! And I'm sorry I took so long but I hope you like these two chapters. I have a few more surprises coming up and I think I'm going to change to summary for this story as well. Chapter TextKuvira bended the metal from the bottom of her shoes and used her seismic sense to locate the rest of the hideouts. She disguised her bending as dancing. In different parts of the city a hideouts were hit with earthquakes and earth bending from an unknown person. Police men stormed the hideouts taking the Triads even more by surprise and using everything to their advantage.
Kuvira tried to make sure they weren't injured. Obviously since one hideout was attacked the others went on high alert. They may have been on guard but they weren't prepared for the earthquakes and then the attacks. It was easy to trap them in the buildings and pick them off one by one. Or maybe they were in a group. Either way she tried to make it swift so they wouldn't be laying there for hours slowly dying.
Asami kept her eyes scanning the area for Triads. She scowled when she saw five making their way to them. When one got closer she spun over whipping her gloved hand around his throat and electrocuting him. That's when the other four hurried over. She ducked dodging a knife and lighting her up in her crouch. Asami blocked a punch twisting his elbow and breaking his arm, and sending him into a woman. She twirled shocking a woman in the back. The last two charged at her and she moved grabbing both by the face and lighting them up. Heavy breaths left her as she swayed to the music again stepping on and around the bodies littering the floor. Blowing hair out of her face she got back to work.
"This should be fun." Ikki smirked humming to herself as she diving down. She dived into a house through the roof and landed between a mother, her kids, and two Triads. She blasted them with air right through the front door before they could react. "You're welcome." She said giving the now relaxed woman a solute and cheeky smile.
Without letting them thank her she floated and twisted herself into a tornado as she blasted out of the door pulling the Triads up into her air as she took to the skies. The screams of the gang members faded into the winds as Ikki steered them off to the right in the direction of more rich houses and where their Triad brother and sisters were stationed outside people houses ready for the orders to kill them. The Triads at the next two houses saw the twisting winds but weren't fast enough to get away before them and their car were swept up.
"Spirits Mako Opal looks so sexy dancing like that." Bolin said dreamily looking over the rails at his girlfriend dancing on stage.
"Ugh bro looks like they are taking Korra into the back." Mako said from where he was leaning on the railing and looking over his shoulder down at the first floor.
"And have you noticed that we've become the center of attention." Bolin said standing up to his full height and emptying his glass.
Mako smirked his teeth shining dangerously in the light. "My hearts been racing like crazy. I've been itching for this fight."
Bolin laughed throwing his head back. "I've never seen you this happy to punch someone's lights out since our days in the streets." Bolin said looking over at him.
Mako shrugged. "It's not often that we meet people who deserved to get their ass kicked and not see a jail and get to actually act on it." He said looking over at Iroh who was in the VIP surrounded by men and woman. "That guy is something else."
Iroh was kissing a man. Who he had an arm wrapped around and a young woman sat in his lap. He switched and kissed the woman drawing her closer. She slapped his chest giggling breaking the kiss. Iroh smirked whispering something in her ear which caused her to blush and the young man to laugh teasing her. Iroh caught the bending brother's eyes as he picked up his drink. He breathed fire lighting the liquid and swallowing it in one go causing the people around him to gasp. He only smirked licking his lips with a trail of fire following his tongue.
"He's a sexy something." Bolin commented.
Iroh's smile widened and smoke trailed from his mouth.
"Yeah." Mako agreed dazed. He fully understood Wu was having the other night they meet. "But anyway your one to talk about me. I've seen the way you glared at anyone who dared to get to close to Opal." Mako teased. He knew he would be the same if Wu was here but the man was at the Island waiting on him.
"I'm just waiting to use that new thing Kuvira taught me." Bolin said staring at his glass.
There was movement from the Triads. They spread out in the area more and then a few minutes Korra's was ringing in their ears. Iroh kicked up the table in front of him just in time as several small knives landed in it.
"If you excuses me beauties I have to take care of this. I'll try to keep you out of the cross fire." He said gently moving the woman off his lap and smiled at the man next to him. A second later the table was flying into the Triad who threw the knives.
"Looks like he's getting started." Mako said flexing his shoulders. "Maybe we should to." He waited until a Triad was close enough. He punched her in the face cupping her neck and knocking her into the railing three times. She feel limp to the floor.
Bolin didn't let the other four get so close. His glass broke apart as he glassed bended at them hitting them all in the chest and sending them flying back. "Get those drunks out of here!" He yelled and a chorus of. "Yeah!" Followed.
"Show off." Mako tsked jumping up and kicking a guy in the face that charged at him.
"No that would be the General."
Iroh knocked out one guy and took a knife from a woman before sending her across the room. He swept a bigger guy off his feet and snapped his neck. He turned catching a lady with a jab to her throat and an elbow to the back of her head. A man charged at him but he jumped at the last second slamming his palms into the man's temple and kneeing me in the nose. Another man came at him with a knife but he deflected it and the weapon landed in the other man's throat. With the big one going down and the last man distracted he easily snapped his neck. Iroh looked over at the bending brothers and gave a thumbs up.
Mako shook his head. "I'm heading to the other side." He jumped from the railing fire bending from his feet and mad it to the other side. The people cheered as they watched. At least they were drunk enough to think it was part of some act as Triads rushed him.
"I guess play time is over." Kya said puffing her cigar as the assassins that were in her section moved out.
"It would be wonderful if the kids could handle this without a problem." Lin said. She glass bended a couple of glasses from the surrounding tables at the Triads approaching them watching the fall down with a sigh. This wasn't her style but she knew innocent people would keep dying if she didn't do this.
Kya squeezed her hand knowing what was going through her mind. She easily slammed the rest of the Triad coming at the on to the wall. "I think the assassins can manage the rest around here and on the outside. And if not I saw Iroh heading to one of the side doors a few seconds ago. Let's go guard the back entrance."
"Yes I see Bolin has taken care of the dance floor on the second floor." Lin said looking up over at it as she gave Kya her arm.
"How can you tell?" Kya asked watching Opal finish up her own group of Triads and then move off in the direction of Asami and Kuvira.
"He's holding up the shattered dance floor with the people on it. I didn't think that he's come so far already." Lin said as Triads fell from the floor and the glass was bended back together.
Kya snorted. "I think we've all learned that Bolin will surprise you. Maybe you should go ahead and give him the ceremony." She said stopping them by the back entrance.
"Ikki how's it going?" Opal asked the young bender.
"I've got a few more stops until I've rounded them all up." Ikki said louder than the swirling winds surrounding her. "You know dad was saying that the people aren't going to like how we are handling this. I'm starting to see why." She said looking back at some of the fire and red she saw in the winds as she dived down to pick up the next group of Triads sitting in the car.
"Yes but once we expose the plans they had for the city and the world then I'm sure they'll understand. I mean no one can keep watching as family members, friends, co-workers, hell even strangers die! For nothing! Murdered for nothing!" Opal took a deep breath. She air bended a ball of air around the last of the Triads heads on the dance floor by Asami. She stopped after their breath had been taken. "Sometimes you have to kill the murderer."
"But doesn't that make us also murderers?" Ikki wondered.
"No. No it doesn't but it makes us something." Opal said as the others all took up post around the club. Iroh and the assassins slipped back inside.
Lin answered her ear piece when it buzzed. "Yes."
"All the bases have been destroyed and Triads have been recovered." There was a loud noise and a whole bunch of wind next. "And Master Ikki has just dropped off the Triads that she picked up. I've gotta say ma'am. I've never seen anything like this before. I thought we were to end up filling up all of our cells just for them to break out and mostly likely attack and kill us. I thought I was going to have to quit my job after this." There was a sigh. "Now I understand why you and the President was talking about the spot in the commentary. These people don't even deserve the grave that they are getting. I'm pretty sure their spirits we'll contribute to the number of foul souls in the spirit world."
"Is that all Lieutenant?" Lin asked.
"Yes ma'am."
"Good then we'll wrap up everything here and meet you all there."
"Understood."
Lin sighed leaning on Kya. This was going to bother her more on the fact she wasn't even bothered by what they were doing.
Korra got a good look around the room and saw the different blood trails on the floor. The blood splats here and there. "I wonder how many people you and your people have already killed tonight." She tsked looking back at Tokuga. "Hmm let's do something since I just can't kill in cold blood. Let's say I free you guys. If you don't attack then you can walk out and you'll be escorted to the jail. However you can attack me if you want." Korra said thoughtfully looking around the room at the glares at her. She earth bended a frame of titanium in front of the door and then lava filled it up. Korra released them and waited.
"You really think we're going to go anywhere peacefully Avatar?" Tokuga asked leaning back on the couch and Shady Shin smirked along with him. Their brother and sisters around the room bended their elements waiting. "We came into this group fighting because it was the only way we would be heard. The only way to be seen is to make a scene. Fighting to force a change that the world isn't ready for but needs. Fighting because if we don't then who will. Fighting because to get to the top you can't always walk on the good nature side. Fighting because sometimes you need to take what you want in this world. If the Avatar is there to keep the balance then who's going to ensure it stays?" Tokuga said simply.
Korra sighed deeply everything slowing down as the Triads charged at her. She took a stance and lightening crackled from her fingertips as she moved. She made her attacks swift and fast as she moved about the room lighten bending in all the directions that bodies were charging from. As the last body fell to the ground she stood in front Shady Shin. He looked as if he was going to speak but she took the air from his lungs instead and watched his body slump against the seat.
"Happy now?" Tokuga gestured around the room. He removed his hood and his scales glinted in the light. "I knew you would win when I became like this." He gestured to himself.
"You should have known you would lose when you started your path on this."
"Whatever let's get this on with." He took off his top. His face was no longer human but a snake head was there. The skin had long since turned into scales. "My soul was long since tainted before the spirits cursed me."
Korra straddled his lap and cupped his face. "I can't kill you." She said making him look up into her eyes. "And your spirit is so cursed the spirits won't want it either. If I let you go now then you'll be an evil spirit and a pain to come across later."
"So what are you going to do oh great Avatar?" He mocked her as her eyes glowed brighter.
"Break the curse." She said connecting their spirit energy. She knew it was a stupid and dangerous action.
He gasped as they were seemingly transported to a spirit world like place. "Where are we?" He asked looking around.
"A holding place for souls." Came the Avatar's voice from below him. His eyes came to land on the Avatar in her spirit form and he gasped. He looked at his appearance. He was blinking from a human spirit to a snake spirit. "Am I going to be stuck like this?" Tokuga asked neither worried nor scared. He knew he deserved it.
"In all other cases yes but I know that a dark spirit would get attached to you and make you out to be a problem later for me. They would focus on all the darkness you have towards us and your life." Korra said bending spirit energy around him. "Make no mistake I'm doing this for my own reasons and not to help you. I could care less if you float around like this mindless till the end of the Spirit World you deserve it for all the lives you've taken and the minds you've ruined." Tokuga said nothing as he watched the spirit energy engulf him. "Your spirit will chose the form it wants to be." Her voice hit his ears as he could no longer see anything.
He cracked a smile in the darkness and laughed. "And what will you do pray tell when another darkness much greater than myself. Mivaa was quite sure on what he spoke of."
"When did the two of speak?" Korra asked shocked.
"After I blew up most of the city." Tokuga said as if it was nothing.
"What did he tell you?" Korra growled annoyed.
"Ah ah woman. A man such as myself is a secret holder not a secret teller." He said as he started to see again. "Although I'll tell you for the price of one life. And look at that you can't give me that." The Avatar was looking at a snake spirit. She glared at him as a spirit appeared.
"Greetings Avatar." The spirit bowed and she returned the bow. "Tokuga it's time to go."
The snake smiled at her. "Have a nice life Avatar Korra." Tokuga hissed at her.
Korra watched until they disappeared. She huffed fire as she exited the holding area. She really thought this would be the last big thing in their lives so she could really start enjoying life with her two girlfriends. When she was back in the room she sighed getting back in her body. The two body next to hers sat slumped and not moving. Her breathes were the only ones sounding in the room as she reached and poured herself a drink. She swallowed it fast as fell back against the couch. The glass fell from her hand as she stared ahead looking at nothing.
Korra didn't even jumped when a voice sounded in her ear. "All the Triads have been cleared out Avatar."
She raised a hand to the com in her ear. "Send a team to collect the bodies I'm all done here to." She removed it and bended the lava wall down and cooled it. The other's came into the room and she tilted her head up to look at them. "This is all over now." She said letting her eyes move over everyone.
"It doesn't feel much like one." Ikki huffed as her astral projection floated down into the room through the ceiling.
Korra tossed her com up into the air catching it as she kicked herself to her feet. "Peace isn't always obtained in a peaceful way."
Police sirens could be heard over the music. "Looks like that's our que." Bolin said.
"Lin." Tenzin's voice came in over the comm.
"Yeah air head?" Lin asked leaning into Kya.
"Mr. Ghong has been arrested." Tenzin huffed not bothering to correct her.
"Thanks Tenzin." Lin said as they made their way to an exit. "I know how you felt about this whole thing."
Tenzin sighed long and hard. "Yes but I also know this was truly the only way. None of them could have been converted back. If it wasn't for my daughter stressing the fact to me. That's why I agreed to do this one thing. I'm worried about the scars that she's going to end up carrying."
Lin looked over at Ikki who was talking to Asami and Kuvira. She watched as Kuvira, Ikki, and Korra glowed and then all the rest of them glowed. They appeared at the Sato house. Ikki floated around up and around as spirits flocked to her. She laughed twirling them around in the wind. "I worry about all the scars we'll each carry after this and all the rest of the scars to come to us before we take our last breath. When one fight ends another one begins. Maybe long before I rest that cycle will be brought to an end. The Avatar deserves it, the element holders deserves it, and we deserve it." She said quietly.
"I can't help but see her. My daughter is a spirit suddenly after all these years. She going so far so fast sometimes it's like we can't even reach her. Then our oldest has been willingly possessed by a dark spirit and we may never see her again but Ikki says trust her and she'll bring her back." Tenzin took a shuddering breath. "I'm just a father who wants my children safe and out of harm's way."
"I don't think you're seeing her. She didn't become a spirit all of a sudden. She's always been one. You just found out. She understands everyone understands how scared you are for her but one day you'll see and understand why they chose her like the rest of us do. You'll begin to have the faith in her she wants you to."
"Yeah." He swallowed hard breathing in the night air as he made his way back to the Island. "I'll let you go."
Kuvira and Asami watched as Korra loosened her shirt, opening the sliding door walking out and meeting Naga. Naga followed her out into the yard and until Korra sat down. Asami helped Kuvira finish washing the makeup off her face.
"You think she's ok?" Asami asked looking outside to their girlfriend.
"I think she'll be ok love." Kuvira said motioning towards the door. "Let's go see where her mind is wondering to."
Korra knew who was approaching her without turning around.
"How long do you plan on being out here?" Kuvira asked stopping behind her and trailing her vision up to the stars.
"Seeing as I can't spend my life with the two of you out here. I'll be in soon." Korra said looking up at the sky.
"Do you mind if we stay out here with you?" Asami asked crouching next to Naga and petting her.
Korra shrugged smiling weakly. There was silence for a few minutes. "Tokuga said that Mivaa spoke to him about something after the bombing but he wouldn't tell me what."
"And that's what you're worried about?" Kuvira asked.
"Yeah along with some others things and all the things that happened tonight. We killed people and I personally sent someone into the afterlife. I broke a spirits curse."
"We've all done things we never thought we would have to do..." Asami trailed off. "Again that is."
"How about we go in a little bit and shower. Then after that we lay down with our family and try to make peace with this day." Kuvira suggested and Korra nodded. She wasn't going to comment on the broken curse part. Asami may not have known how dangerous it was but she did.
The morning was brought up in silence. There was no room for breakfast even though there was enough time. That day brought rain but not as heavy as it should have been. The city itself wasn't going to shed tears then neither was its people. But death is still death so something must mourn even.
They all dressed in black except Lin, Mako, and Bolin who dressed in their police uniform. The news stations were already there waiting for their entrance or their arrival which every came first. President Raiko was standing in front of the huge burial whole. The bodies were already in the whole with a tarp over it. The police stations best fire benders, fire benders from fire stations, and Iroh's men were lined up around the hole.
"President." Lin said giving a curt nod.
"Chief." Raiko said returning the nod. He looked over at his men and nodded. "You all are going to be congratulated on what happened last night. And make no mistake that I'm not happy about this. I haven't been happy since I agreed on this or your successful plan last night. You all are good people and you keep having to take on this city's burdens. But I guess each nation has their own dark secrets. I wonder who has to take it upon themselves to bare them all."
They lined up and stood tall watching the news stations set up. When they were ready President Raiko took his que. "Last night these brave women and men along with the Avatar, and the Great Uniter took down the Triads for good. They took out every single one so they will no longer terrorize this city." Raiko spoke high and calm over the rain that washing over them. "Tonight we are laying those bodies to rest. We will be a mass burial because they died fighting together so they should be buried together. We have the city's finest fire benders here to set the flames that will lay them to rest. When the flames die down the grave will be filled and prayers will be said."
"Will they be taking any questions or giving any words on the matter?" One of the press asked.
Raiko looked over his shoulder at his friends before turning back to the press. "No they will not be. As I'm sure you are aware of how emotionally taxing and draining last night events were." He said ready for this to be moved along.
"Then what about General Iroh? This must have been a walk in the park for the Fire Nation." Another called out.
Iroh scowled clenched his fist behind his back. "Iroh." Opal gasped looking at her friend.
"It's fine guys. Everyone knows that the Fire Nation is longer like that. People just still like to point that out." He said walking away from his friends and family. He put a hand on President Raiko's shoulder. "I don't mind answering a few questions. You can continue with the burial while I handle this."
Raiko shook his head annoyed. "They were unnecessarily rude to you though and they'll probably just be throwing shots at you again."
Iroh smiled. "I don't mind President Raiko besides most of this was my idea." He said the last part a little louder so the press could hear. It had the desired affect when they erupted into questions. He sent Raiko a weak smile before heading over to the press. "Though do remember to keep your mocking of the Fire Nation down to that one comment. I have no problem throwing you in jail."
Raiko sighed turning to the grave and nodded at Lin. Lin stepped up to the grave. "Fire Squad ready!" All the fire benders took the same fire bending stance. Korra left the group and walked up to the grave taking an open spot. Mako went over and took another. "Fire!" Lin commanded and the fire roared out from each fire bender. Korra pumped out more flames than the other fire benders. "Stop!" Lin commanded and the flames ceased flowing.
The fire benders bowed before stepping back from the grave all except Korra. She watched the flames flicker and move before bowing. "May your dark souls find the peace that you couldn't find in the human world in the Spirit World." She said before walking away.
The flames burned on for a while. It looked like Korra was going to be the only one saying prayers before people started showing up and throwing flowers or pictures into the flames. They would bow and say their prayers. Others would look at the flames and cry while yelling at them.
"Who are those people?" Kya questioned.
"The Triads had to come from somewhere. They had families that they left behind. Friends and lovers. Even dark twisted people need love and there are some people out there that can love them. And there are families that did love them. That still love the person that they use to be." Kuvira spoke up as they watched. "I'm guessing this is the only chance that they'll get to say good bye and love them one more time with being harassed."
When it was clear that no one else was going to come they just watched the flames burn. That was until a powerful wind swept through the land and the flames were put out. Everyone recovered from the sudden winds and looked to the President since the flames were out. He nodded and Kuvira stepped forward. She took her earth bending stance and slowly the grave was filled and covered.
"Rest now." Kuvira said bowing.
After that people moved about to set out the rope around the grave. "Come on guys let's get out of here. I think we could all use a long shower and a day locked in our homes." Asami said heading to their cars with everyone following.
"Thanks wind spirit. That fire was going to burn on for way longer than was necessary." Skoochy said to the spirit next to him.
"It was no problem." The spirit said bowing.
"I've got to get going and beat my aunties and their nephew home for some all-day cuddles. Maybe I'll even cook." He thought out loud as both spirits disappeared and appeared in different places.