They ascended slowly. The three of them looked between each other, unsure if it was wise or not to attack Envy. As angry as korra was, it probably wasn't smart to do anything right now. Besides, he was curious who Wrath was. The elevator dinged, the doors slid open…
To reveal the center of republic city.
Emily exclaimed, startled, "Central Command? We were below portal to the shadow coven base this whole time?"
They followed Envy out, and he led them to a locker room. "You guys are filthy."
luz moved to follow Emily into the room, but paused when she saw korra wasn't moving. She looked at Envy with an accusing look and said, You'll share the room cause I need to keep an eye on the three of you." Korra sighed and turned to follow Luz.
Once inside, they found a row of shower stalls on one side of the room and several lockers on the other. Envy pointed to the lockers. "Help yourself to whatever you find." He turned on his heal and left the room. Emily took a seat in the middle of the floor while luz and amity began digging through lockers, looking for suitable clothes and towels.
Finally getting some clothes and a towel, she draped them over a shower door and closed it behind her and turned on the water. SHe heard another shower turn on shortly after.Having finished washing the blood and dirt away, luz toweled off dressed, and exited the shower. She could see korra's head over the door to her stall; she was washing her hair. Then she sat next to Emily, humphing quietly.
"So, Emily that spirit down there, was it like the ones you've seen it in a dream before?" Luz asked, trying to distract herself again.
"No. It was bigger and darker. All the ones I've seen are lighter colors."
"That's because those have all been light spirits remember." Korra informed them as she rubbed shampoo on her head. She looked over at them. "Remember what Elsa said All spirits have light and dark inside them. But when they are unbalanced, they shift to the dark side."
"Hmm." Luz responded thoughtfully.
"Who's La?" Emily asked. She remembered Bue saying that name.
korra froze for a second, then resumed rinsing her hair again. "La is the ocean spirit."
When she didn't continue, he prompted, "Why was it following you?"
She turned off the water and grabbed her towel. "I wish I knew. The last thing I remember, I was fighting a water-dwelling spirit, near the north pole. It dragged me deep underwater, and that's the last thing I remember." Her voice took on a sad tone. "I'd like to think La intervened to save my life. They're a peaceful spirit, I doubt their intent was malicious. But why send me here, and not somewhere else in my world? I don't know. None of it makes sense."
She finished dressing and stepped out from the shower. She'd managed to find a shirt that fit her nicely; it had just the right cut and accentuated her curves. The jeans were a bit baggy, though, but they didn't look bad. She was combing through her hair with her fingers. Luz noticed suddenly that the hair was drying as she combed it. She was either water- or airbending to dry it faster. She laughed to herself.
"What?" She exclaimed, suddenly looking self-conscious. Luz realized she must have thought she was laughing at korra wardrobe choices.
"Oh, nothing. Just your little tricks, like drying your hair like that." He teased.
korra blushed. "I could do yours too," she said hesitantly, then quickly added, "but only if you want."
Emily was watching them, and Ed thought his eyes were glowing a little brighter than usual.
"Hey Ed, I should tell you, you know that demon girl that was with namagem and that robot?" Emily said.
"Yeah, what about her?" Luz responded,
"Well, she got injured down there, and couldn't escape. So she's, uh, inside of venom with me."
"What!" Luz nearly jumped to her feet but korra's hand pushed her back to the floor. "Really? Emily!"
"I couldn't just leave her there! She's hurt bad!" Emily explained hurriedly. Luz sighed.
Envy opened the door. "What's taking you so long?" He sounded annoyed and impatient.
Korra shot back immediately, "You of all people should know how long it takes to properly wash long hair!"
Envy looked caught off guard at that. He mumbled to himself and closed the door. Luz could feel her braiding his hair now, since it was now completely dry. When she was done she stepped back, and Emily got to her feet and extended her hand to luz. She took it gratefully, and they all headed for the hallway.
She was pulled back to reality as Envy led them to a door and opened it.
"Wrath will take over babysitting you now."
As they walked through the door, korra was shocked to see president king Bradley sitting at a massive desk. This must be his office, and he must be Wrath. Across from him lin sat with a very unhappy look on her face.
"Lin?" Korra exclaimed in surprise. "What's going on?"
"Where do I begin?" Lin scoffed. "hinawa's been shipped south and mako is now personal assistant to the president."
korra,luz and Emily absorbed this news in silence. What the hell? They're practically hostages.
"Please, sit." Bradley indicated the remaining chairs next to lin, and they all approached and seated themselves.
All you need to know is that you're important to us. Keep your heads down and out of trouble, and no harm will come to you." Bradley replied coldly.
"Yeah? And what about those who aren't lucky enough to be considered sacrifices?" Luz spat.
"I've already told you all that you need to know, is that clear, noceda?" Wrath sounded annoyed now as he spoke luz's title in a tone of authority.
lin stood, pulled her badge from her armor, and tossed it onto the desk in front of Bradley.then luz said"Your plans are going to fail, well swear on my grave that well stop you! warn all republic city, I'll…"
Wrath cut her off. "What was that lovely mother's name again?" Luz and Emily froze in alarm. "Ah, Camila, wasn't it? And the girl you love amity."
luz slammed her hands on the table. "You stay away from them! Leave my family and girl friend out of this!"
Wrath narrowed his eye as he met luz's angry gaze. "That's up to you, now, isn't it? If you won't keep your mouth quiet, I'll just have to cut her down.and luz sat back down in anger, crossing her arms and glaring at the wall silently. Koraa's mind was working. So, they have leverage on the noceda. could they possibly have on me already.
She glared at Wrath and said as confidently and coldly as she could, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't destroy all of you. Even you are no match for me, Wrath, and you know it. So tell me why I shouldn't put an end to all this, right here, right now." She saw lin,Emily and luz all turn to look at her with expressions like they'd forgotten she was there.
Wrath met her gaze, and she saw annoyance and fury in his eye. "Because, Avatar, I know the location of your friends and family so desperately seek."
Ayana was surprised, but quickly suppressed it. She didn't want him seeing that reaction.
He wasn't lying. She glared at him, unsure what to do. She couldn't kill him now, he had information she needed. Maybe she could get more out of him. "What do you even want me for? I'm not a sacrifice."
"That's correct, you're not. You will play a different role, but as I told luz, all you need to know is that you're important. Stay out of trouble. I'll remove the warrant for your arrest this time, but slip up again and I will not interfere in your subsequent capture."
korra glared into his eye, trying to convey her hate for him. He glared back, unperturbed.
"If you manage to stay out of our way, I'll tell you where you can open the other portal."
She broke her eyes from his and looked away, defeated.
Emily spoke up hesitantly. "Sir, you don't have to worry about us.
Wrath looked unconcerned as he replied.
"Then we have nothing more to discuss. You are all dismissed." Wrath instructed firmly.then the four of them left the office.
Upon exiting king Bradley home, luz and Emily decided to find call Camila and the others to make sure they was okay. Lin left .
"You guys go ahead, I'll meet guys tomorrow I need to get to the South Pole." Korra told the two noceda's. They didn't waste any time as they waved over their shoulders and turned to hurry down the street. She turned and approached lin.
"lin."
"Avatar."
"Look, I just want you to know. Whatever I can do to help, let me know."
lin sighed heavily. "I'm not sure there's really anything you can do. He's playing a political game, moves and countermoves, and we must be cautious. But I'll remember that. Thank you."
korra waved goodbye and went to the docks to get a boat,They split up. Emily went to Camila's house in human world to get the demon girl inside of her symbiot for some medical help. After they arrived and turned the demon girl over to her auntie, she sees Kotoha, who was there recovering from her amputation.
"so your saying he found a philosopher stone!" She exclaimed. "He can cure his aunt! We must return home immediately with the news! Where is he?"
Kim shared a look with Emily. Kotoha picked up on their hesitation. "What's wrong? Is he okay?"
"Well, we think so. It's hard to explain but, basically, the new Philosopher's Stone is in his bloodstream has corrupted him. His body was taken over by a homunculus again now that the homunculus has turned again." Kim replied sadly.
Kotoha's face fell. "So, he's trapped inside the monster?" korra and Emily nodded. "So there's still hope! Emily, I need an automail engineer, please help me!"Kotoha said.
Emily was shocked, "But you haven't even healed yet!"
"It doesn't matter. Please, Emily!" Kotoha begged.
Emily sighed. "Okay, I'll introduce you to one soon, but for now you need to rest and heal."
By the time they left Camila's house, night had fallen. Together they opened a portal back to republic back to air temple island.
meanwhile with korra.
At the Mo Ce Sea, where Korra was driving a speedboat then felt a bump. She looks back and notices were two masked waterbenders attacking her with waterbending.
"You ruined my wedding!" she yelled.
one of the water benders throws a stream at Korra, but she manages to dodge it.but her jet skis were destroyed but they glide on the water and soon catch up with her.
one of the water benders destroys Korra's speedboat, throwing her overboard. Underwater, Korra emerges from a waterspout and attacks the mask water benders with firebending, while avoiding their waterbending attacks. One of water benders manages to knock Korra off, but Korra regains her balance with an airspout before jumping on another waterspout.
She quickly bends a water dome, trapping the two. But they shielded themselves from the water before they notice a green glow underwater. Both look at each other and retreat. Korra notices her two attackers were retreating and starts descending.
A giant dark spirit emerges and Korra dodges its attacks but is knocked off her waterspout.
Underwater, Korra enters the Avatar State and re-emerges.
She attempts to purify the spirit, causing it to glow golden, except for the head.
The spirit prepares to head underwater, but re-emerges at the last minute and proceeds to devour Korra. Korra futilely firebends at the spirit before being swallowed and dragged into the water below.
Two mask water benders took off their mask who revealed to a mind controlled desna and eska with glowing green eyes,who have witnessed the entire incident. They leave the scene.
Meanwhile.
Apollo and namagem carefully made their way through the tunnels, namagem is gently holding Uzi in his arms, who was still unconscious. They hadn't been able to go back the way they had come and felt lost, but namagem mind was focused on his encounter with nechros.
they were close to another exit, but they were being watched.
A shadow with a solitary eye was draped along the wall behind them, watching him intently.
Several more shadows appeared and turned into sharp daggers, their points aimed at their's back.
But just before they were about to strike, all of the shadows suddenly froze.
The eye swiveled around. Damn, there's a breach in the western tunnels.
The eye looked regretfully at them. I guess the others will have to take care of you.The shadows rapidly vanished, leaving to deal with another problem.
namagem remained unaware of the shadows, and before long they both found themselves looking down a steel grate that was above someone's cell.
a white Martian with cybernetic spiders legs on his back his name is Malefic,he heard apollo and namagem's footsteps and looked up at the ceiling. "Is someone there? Who is that?"
A drop of blood fell from Apollo's right arm and onto the floor of the cell.
Malefic noticed the drop. "I can help you if you're injured. Why don't you come down here? Is everything all right outside? It's safe to come down, the guard won't be back for a while. Let me help you with your injuries. I'm actually a doctor but I'm also a scientist."
After a pause, Apollo and namagem carefully lifted up the grate and jumped down, namagem being careful not to jolt Uzi too much.
Malefic looked at them carefully. "So, you're a an otsutsuki,you're a robot. And this girl, she looks injured too. What's that gem on your head…"
Malefic's eyes widened. "You're not the one known as Apollo, are you?"
Apollo looked suspiciously at Malefic. "Tell me who you are first. And what are you doing down here?"
Malefic began to laugh, and he fell to his knees. "My god, this must be fate."
He looked up at Apollo with tears in his eyes. "I'm the one responsible for the extermination of your people!"
apollo's eyes widened in shock.
Malefic explained how he made the red stones that were used on other planets, and how he was partly to blame for how devastating the work of the person was.
"And if that wasn't bad enough,I used another's research was used to make an actual philosopher's stone. It was given to an alchemist named psyphon, who used it to help finish the massacre in place called Silicon City."
Apollo 's face darkened at the mention of psyphon.
It was him? That monster...
Malefic continued. "And now, they want me to perform a living transmutation. I don't know why, but I have a horrible feeling they're planning another genocide."
He threw himself at apollo and namagem's feet. "Please, you must kill me! They can't use me any more if I'm dead, and my death is the only way I can atone for the things I've done."
Apollo looked down at Malefic, uncertain of what he should do.
Tell us What the hell did you bastards do there?! Namagem said.
Tell us everything now, Malefic! Before my right hand destroys you or namagem's blaster will! Apollo said.