Hello Tamayo
They had wiped the floor in their last two matches and were waiting to see who they would face off for the final match. All of them knowing it would be the White Falls Wolfbats but as they were in the locker room barely getting back from their second match of the night, the match that started had ended so quickly.
They all thought they had at least some time to prepare for the final match so the surprise on their faces when they heard the winning bell ring was a shock.
“Guess we’ll have to finish them off quickly just like they did.”
“But they use dirty tricks Korra-“
“That’s fine, they won’t get me out the ring so you can count on me you two.” Sending a wink their way, she made her way to the walkway to the ring with Bolin and Mako following.
Walking onto the ring they could see the extremely smug face from the water bender in the middle.
“Ready to lose ferrets?”
The cockiness in this guy’s voice irked Korra. She didn’t get to see how they played but had a feeling that with dirty tricks up their sleeve she would make a fool of them all. Humans were all predictable in the end.
“Shut up Tahno.” Said Mako.
“Let’s see how good you guys really are.” Spat out Tahno.
At the ring of the bell all shots from each side dispersed in rapid fire. Every shot aimed at Korra was easily dodged. She could predict them so easily. The boys on the other hand were having some trouble already being pushed back to zone two while she was in zone one which she always stayed in. Korra had managed to get the Wolfbats fire bender to zone two but their water bender, Tahno, was proving to be quite skilled with the help of the refs.
“And that seems to be a shard of ice aimed at Korra! No refs calling that out?”
She had punched right through the ice with ease. It didn’t strike her as odd that the referee didn’t say anything, but she knew that if they had done so they would’ve fouled.
This whole match was already making her hotheaded. She couldn’t gain into the enemy’s zone one because Mako and Bolin got knocked back into zone three. She had taken a lot of the illegal shots head on which the crowd oooh’d at and the announcer on his toes.
She would take round one with or without Mako and Bolin.
She analyzed the situation after the boys were knocked off. Tahno was the only one in zone one while the other two were in zone two.
One had a slight limp, the other just fires at random and Tahno was just actually useless and relied on the other two.
“And there she goes folks! Aiming shot after shot even being pummeled but undeterred!”
One, two, out. Just Tahno now.
She had used a bit more power than usual against the other two, so she knows that was going to leave a bruise or worse. She didn’t care though. At this time, she oddly thought of Akaza.
He would have a field day with these three.
Korra aimed a shot with much force than she used at Tahno’s stomach and he flew right off the platform declaring the first match to the Fire Ferrets.
There were loud cheers and boo’ing but it all seemed to go right through her head. It wasn’t that her mind was empty, but it was clouded by thoughts she had only had once. She was in a furious mood and it showed through her attacks. The second round was already nearing its end and the thoughts of obliterating Tahno and his team had taken a turn to killing them. The only time she had these thoughts were against the white lotus and although she never acted on them, they were coming full force now and she had to make sure this ended soon. She had to get ahold of herself.
They were able to take round two with ease due to her clouded mind and the third one was going to be proved an easy win with the way Korra aimed attacks in succession not allowing breaks for the Whitefalls Wolfbats to get a chance to grasp the situation.
She moved so swiftly and was able to gain into their territory even with their illegal shots.
When they all perfectly lined up in a row, she took this opportunity and with even more force she aimed a burst of water at Tahno’s stomach once again. Seeing the attack knock the air out of him and tumbled back with his two teammates off the ring.
The bell rang again indicating their win. She couldn’t even register the loud cheers happening around her or the fact that Bolin had lifted Mako and her up in a big hug jumping. She was completely dazed even when they went back into the locker room.
“Wow Korra!! I can’t believe we won!!” Bolin had his helmet in his hand jumping up and down. Mako was grinning at his brother and tugged him down into a big hug.
Korra had barely registered what Bolin had said. She was too focused on trying to get herself back from her clouded brain. Is this how Akaza feels whenever he faces cowardly opponents? You don’t kill humans Korra, remember.
Out of frustration she pulled her helmet off and threw it to the ground with force and right when that happened Asami burst into the room and straight to Korra’s arms.
Asami not knowing the turmoil going on into Korra’s brain was so excited to congratulate her and the boys. However, she felt Korra go stiff for a moment and then she finally relaxed.
Korra felt like she could hurt anybody at this moment but when Asami hugged her, her mind was put at ease and she melted right into the hug.
The boys of course noticed the way Korra threw her helmet and the weird mood that she was in until Asami came in.
Asami whispered into her ear, “Are you alright?”
She sounded worried and Korra didn’t want to worry the sweet girl, “Yeah, I’m alright.” Before releasing the tall girl, Korra squeezed her tight in reassurance.
Asami didn’t worry after that but still she felt the need to comfort the girl.
She congratulated everyone and more hugs were in order according to Bolin. Laughs and smiles were shared and then the knowing grumbling coming from Bolin’s stomach.
Sheepishly smiling, “Winning noodles?” Mako just laughed at his brother and everyone nodded agreeing that winning noodles were in order.
Narooks was bustling tonight after the big tournament. They were greeted with smiles and cheers which brought a smile to all their faces. Asami particularly enjoying a certain someone’s crooked smile when she turned to look at her.
As they were seated, Asami and Korra were sitting across from Mako and Bolin. A big difference from the last time and Korra was much happier about these seating arrangements.
As food was ordered and ate, Korra just sat there taking in her friend’s conversations. It’s not that she didn’t want to interrupt but she just simply enjoyed watching Bolin talk while he ate, Mako scolding him and Asami simply laughing at them. She almost felt like she was at home until she remembered that she really wasn’t meant to live like this. She was going to have to let go soon but she didn’t know how to say goodbye, or should she just disappear?
She was meant to kill because that was in her nature and she had countered that by killing demons instead but now that feeling was coming back but directed toward humans and it didn’t disgust her. However, she didn’t want to bring the people in front of her into harms way, even if it was by her. She was sure if they had seen her true nature, however that even looked, they would surely leave.
Her friends seemed to be wrapping up their meals so Korra took this time to set things into place. After getting rid of Tamayo, she would leave them and return to where she belonged.
As they walked out, “Tomorrow let’s meet in that neighborhood and finish the job.”
They all looked at Korra who had her arms crossed and a serious expression on her face. “Did you figure out how we’re gonna get through the wall?” Mako asked along with Bolin and Asami nodding.
“Just leave that to me.” She shot them a crooked smile and started to walk away, “8pm sharp!”
Asami watched Korra leave back to the island. She hoped that they could be of help tomorrow. She had made a special glove like gadget that delivered a powerful electric shock since she wasn’t a bender. She had mentioned making the glove to Korra once and Korra seemed interested by it and said that she should test it out to see if it would affect demons. She hoped it did since she didn’t get to test it out yet, but things could be fixed after tomorrow.
Before Korra had arrived in the neighborhood, she had drunk a couple blood bags to quench her hunger that was coming on. Every time she drank blood it was always a wonderful sensation and she reveled in it. It was almost like a breath of fresh air.
It could almost come close to the fresh air she was now surrounded in in the neighborhood.
Everyone had shown up right on time and Korra noticed the glove on Asami’s hand. She perked up at that, “You finished it! Try it on me really quick!” She bounded over to Asami who looked a bit surprised at Korra’s excitement.
After exchanging a few words of how it worked Asami landed a punch on Korra. Electricity running through her body and quickly leaving. It didn’t affect Korra that much, but she could tell this could halt demons below her and possibly the demon they had tracked here. She gave her a smile and a thumbs up.
Asami was glad to receive such positive feedback on the glove. Now it was time to see if she could put it to the test if Korra needed their help.
They all walked towards the wall which was hiding the big house.
The two boys still wondering how they would get through it and Asami waiting to see how Korra would get them through.
There had to be something that was helping mask the presence of the big house. However, she should just be able to walk right through it through an opening.
And an opening she found.
She turned her head back to signal to everyone to follow her lead and getting back nods.
Through the opening that whoever’s technique this was, they all went through the wall and ended up in front of a big house that was surrounded by trees. Asami and the boys admired how pretty it was and were surprised that a demon could conceal this from everyone.
Korra looked around and spotted nobody but she could feel the presence of two people. She walked a couple more steps before yelling, “Hey Tamayo!! Get the hell out here!” There was no response as expected but it was too quiet for her liking. From what she could see, there were lights on in the house and nobody outside besides them.
At least that’s what it seemed.
As Korra brought her right arm to rub at her temple, something like a punch connected with the outside of her forearm which made the bone break in half.
Half of her bone was sticking out along with blood trickling down her arm.
The sound of her bone crushing, and breaking was loud enough for Asami, Mako and Bolin to hear. Their eyes going wide at whatever landed such a strong enough punch to Korra’s arm for that to happen. They had saw nothing and heard nothing but the break of a bone.
Korra had a shit eating grin looking at the protruding bone. Moving her arm as if it were no big deal, she snapped the broken bone back into place and it was good as new.
Bringing her forearm up to her mouth, she licked the blood on her arm, “So not only can you mask the presence of things, but you can make yourself invisible,” in one fluid motion with both hands she ripped her sleeveless shirt off in half only leaving her in her chest wraps, “I think it’ll be fun trying to find you with your trick.”
Her back was faced towards the others and on display was the big mark of Raava that took up almost the entirety of Korra’s back. Her friends had never seen it until now and they marveled in it, especially Asami and how it looked perfect on her sculpted back.
On display were Korra’s raw muscles and Asami appreciated it in the short amount of time until Korra raised her arms bending the earth. It would be an injustice if she didn't appreciate Korra's wonderful back.
She made the earth in front of them break as if a deadly earthquake had hit. If he moves, I’ll be able to tell by which rock he steps onto.
Claws extended, she transformed with ease, not even having to focus to do it. It was natural this time around.
Asami, Mako and Bolin were all in fighting stances ready in case if anything that came their way.
The ruptured earth shook and Korra’s eyes were paying attention to every single rock to see when one would move downwards as if someone was stepping off it. Luckily to her right a rock was pushed down, and she quickly vanished from her friends to that spot.
She swung her hand as she bent a steady flame on her palm aimed toward what some people would think is just the air but was the invisible demon.
However, her attack didn’t connect with him. Eyes now a little wide at her miss, “How did I miss?”
She restored the earth in front of her and laid her arms on her hips. Either this guy was fast enough to dodge her attack, or he was lucky to get away from it. Either way it didn’t matter, she was going to catch him.
The krew circled around their area in case the demon came near them, but it was hard trying to fight someone who was invisible.
Korra then saw faint footsteps bringing dust up in the direction of Mako. Target spotted.
Mako didn’t even see Korra coming towards him and barely had time to react. He saw Korra grab hold onto the air which was the demons head from what Korra could feel.
Her grip going hard enough that it pierced through his skull and she ripped it off in one smooth motion. And now the green haired demon was no longer invisible. Blood squirted out from his neck which covered some of Korra’s face and her sinister smile. She brought the demons head up to eye level, “You know where I’ve seen you?” With her other hand she tapped her head with her index finger, “In my past lives memory. Now will you be so kind to tell me your name or do I have to beat it out of you?”
Yushiro’s body was laying limp with his head being detached and in the hands of Avatar Korra. This is who Lady Tamayo was waiting for and Yushiro wasn’t going to let anybody hurt her. He had no doubts in what Lady Tamayo had planned and he knew that Korra was a key part in it but now he was starting to have doubts because it seemed to him that Korra was keen on killing them.
He had a scowl on his face, he was lucky enough to avoid her first attack, but he shouldn’t underestimate an upper moon, especially rank one.
“Hey she said your name pal!” yelled Mako, trying to get the demons attention.
Korra laughed at the scowl on the demon’s face. “I’m not here to kill you, just Tamayo and I know she’s here. So please do me the honor-“ as Korra was interrupted a yell came from the side of the house, “YUSHIRO!” No doubt that that voice just now was Tamayo’s. It was filled with panic.
She smiled, “So, it’s Yushiro.” She took a bite out of his head and swallowed it down, “I’m sure you’re familiar of demons eating other demons, I’ve done a bit of it myself. Don’t worry though I’m not going to eat you, I just thought I’d send Tamayo a message.” She then tossed his head in the direction of his body.
Yushiro’s body was moving only a little bit and now that his head had been tossed back, he would be able to reattach it but wasn’t sure if he could make it in time to make sure Korra didn’t lay a hand on the one he loved.
Korra licked her lips that were covered in Yushiro’s blood. The taste not as good as human blood but nonetheless it fueled her. She proceeded to wipe the rest of his blood off her face which ended up in just a smear. Her back still facing Tamayo and her friends looking at her. She indeed missed the looks they were sending her way.
Asami looking shocked, Bolin and Mako a bit disturbed at the changed atmosphere and Korra’s actions. They had never seen her act like this. Mako and Bolin had only ever seen Korra act in such a way when they were almost attacked by a demon and Asami had seen Korra kill three demons in front of her, but this was a bit different from that.
Korra had this air around her that practically screamed don’t mess with me or else. She almost looked a bit scary to them but that was their friend, and they would help.
Korra was feeling good. This was a rush she hadn’t felt in a while and she was living off of it. Finally taking care of things with her own hands instead of asking one of Muzan’s useless underlings.
Before she ended Tamayo’s life, she would ask her questions pertaining to the relationship she had with Aang.
Before she turned to face Tamayo, “You should feel honored to be killed by one of the 12 kizuki, runaway.” She then turned to face the woman that was haunting her in her past lives’ memory and Muzan’s.
Tamayo stood there, holding her ground, prepared to try and convince Korra to stop. She expected Korra to come rushing in, but the opposite happened.
As Korra began to move she was stopped right in her tracks. What appeared vividly in her mind was another one of Aang’s memories but this time she could hear what him and Tamyo were saying, including Yushiro.
Around them were beakers filled with different types of chemicals and there were different vials of blood. Yushiro continued working on this poison while Tamayo and Aang were talking.
Aang was around his late 60’s, sporting a greying beard and some light wrinkles on his face while Tamayo looked like she hadn’t aged a day.
“To rid the world of Muzan would rid the entire world of demons. Does that mean you and Yushiro would die too?”
“I had broken free from his curse and control and when I turned Yushiro into a demon after many times of trying, he isn’t affected by any of Muzan’s influence.”
Aang seemed to ponder in thought for a moment, “Do you think it’s possible then to turn back into humans? You and Yushiro?”
“There’s a slight possibility and I have tried making such a medicine, but it hasn’t been much success. I think the thing missing is getting blood from someone who has a large amount of Kibutsuji’s blood, and I am certainly not that person.” She smiles politely at Aang who just smiles right back.
“Tamayo,” he is serious in this moment, “I’m not sure your poison will be ready in time before I die so when I die, I want you to find the next Avatar and have them aid you. I, as much as you, want to get rid of Muzan too.”
And then the vivid memory was gone.
Yushiro had guided Korra’s friends to the clinic’s front porch away from Korra. They had watched her frozen on her feet with her marks glowing. He was attacked once by Asami and her glove but was able to convince them after if they didn’t want to get in the middle of things. But wow did that glove really sting him, he's surprised he withstood it as much as he could.
Korra was cemented on her feet, feeling stuck. Is…that was really Aang’s last wishes before he died…no but this can’t be right. She could feel Raava now, What Aang failed to do is what you must accomplish now.
“Did you see it, Avatar Korra?” She mustered the strength to look at her, eyes wide brimming with confusion and anger. She moved her arms and placed one of her hands on her face, claws sinking in drawing blood to drip down her face and onto her hand, “Did you ever think that I wouldn’t be like Aang and help you!” she yelled back at her.
She removed her hand from her face, the blood clinging to her hand. Her breathing was getting ragged at this turn of events. This wasn’t what she was expecting, she practically got ambushed with this by her own past life, perhaps Raava.
Korra listen-
“No Raava, shut up!” her yell filled with anger aimed to particularly nobody that was present in front of her but inside.
Her friends had flinched at her outburst, “What’s happening to Korra,” Asami had said.
“I think she’s refusing to listen to Raava.” Yushiro had responded to Asami and then proceeded to hand them all a cloth gesturing to cover their noses if Lady Tamayo decided to use her technique against Korra if she decided not to aide them in their plan to defeat Muzan. They all had deemed Yushiro a neutral party since he seemed to not want to hurt them or Korra.
Korra was having a meltdown inside her head. She wasn’t Aang, she had decided already that she would abandon everyone and live as a demon and help Muzan. She was going to defeat the sun and she was going to live her life the way she wanted to and not the way Aang or anybody wanted her to.
“Tell me, how was it that you were able to kill Susamaru and Yahaba?” She grits her teeth waiting for an answer.
“I made them utter Muzan’s name. I’m sure you know of the curse everyone is under.” She spoke so calmly, too calmly for Korra’s liking. Especially with the way she muttered his name like it was nothing.
“Do you think you’re going to make me utter his name if I don’t help you? Are you going to kill me once I say no? Because if so,” she steadied herself this time, regaining more of her strength and facing her bloodied palm towards Tamayo, “we can die together because you have no idea what I’m capable of.”
From the porch they watched, scared and worried out of their minds. They couldn’t help Korra and they didn’t want her to die.
Bolin urgently asked Yushiro if he could do something about this but he only shook his head but he himself even looked worried. He didn’t want anything bad to happen to Tamayo and he still needed time to prepare an attack since he hasn’t perfected his technique. If worse comes to worse, he would have to draw Korra’s blood and work on the poison himself.
Asami, Mako and Bolin also wondered who this Muzan was. They had never heard this name from Korra before but hearing that it was death to just utter the man’s name was frightening and wondered who this man really was.
“Korra, do you know the truth about Kibutsuji?” Tamayo started, she watched Korra startled by her words, but her face quickly switched back to anger. “What would you know about that!” she yelled back at her, confused at what she was trying to get at.
Tamayo kept her anger towards that man in place, “He is always terrified of something. He is no more than just a coward.”
Bad mouthing Muzan right in front of her fueled even more of her anger, veins starting to pop out of her face, even from the sights of Tamayo, Korra’s sclera was turning from its white to a blood red, “Shut up! What are you even going on about! You know nothing!”
“Are you aware of the reasons why demons are forbidden to group up? Because we would attack and devour one another. However, that isn’t the exact truth. He spreads those false truths to manipulate you because he’s afraid of demon’s ganging up and attacking him. He is afraid of you!”
Korra had no idea what to believe but the anger boiling up inside of her. She could see only red and forgot about her friends. She was done listening. She snarled at Tamayo, “Why on earth would Muzan be afraid of me! He said that I was special!”
At this moment Yushiro saw that Tamayo had been bleeding from her arm indicating that she was using one of her abilities. Magical Aroma of Daylight. It causes the affected brain functions and forces the truth out of them.
He urged the three humans to cover their noses but Asami now knowing the information of this curse screamed Korra’s name to get her attention.
Korra heard a faint yell but she wasn’t listening clearly because she just realized what she did, or more like what she said.
She clasped her mouth with her hand.
“I don’t think you’ll die; I just need Raava to break the curse.” Tamayo had this determined look on her face. Yushiro had rushed to her side standing right next to her. “What about the humans? Should I make them leave?” He asked not knowing what to do with them. They all looked so scared and it made him uncomfortable. His sweet Tamayo though nodded her head and so he did.
They protested not wanting to leave their friend who was suddenly on her knees, eyes wide brimmed with fear that they had never seen on her face. She was coughing up blood and all Asami wanted to do was do something, anything but she didn’t know what she could do. All they could do was be pushed out through the wall again and back in the street they were.
Mako was the first to speak, “Do, do you think she’s going to die?” The question lingered in the air for a while as they walked back to the Satomobile but not getting in.
Numbly, Asami responded, “ I- I hope not.” She wrapped her arms around herself clutching onto herself.
All they could do was wait if she would come out back through that wall or not and it scared the hell out of her.
The last they saw of her was the mark of Raava and the vines glowing, and she was on her knees hacking up blood. She looked scared but the air around her said much different. Korra looked different to them all and as scary as it was to see her like this, she couldn’t help but worry about Korra, the person she was starting to deeply care about. She didn’t understand Tamayo and Korra’s conversation about Aang helping Tamayo in the past. What were they working on before Avatar Aang had died and why was it so important? It clearly had something to do with Muzan but they still had no idea who he was.
“I don’t want Korra to die you guys,” Bolin had said breaking the tension in the air, “we have to help somehow when she comes back out.”
The when is what spurred the hope in everyone. Korra would come back out because they knew she was strong. Asami knew she was strong. From the moments alone she had with Korra, she could tell that she was determined and headstrong so maybe Raava would break this curse and Tamayo was right. Whatever Tamayo did to Korra, she did it to break this curse. Asami was now sure that Korra would come back out and she would wait till she did no matter what because this was Korra, the girl who she had always seen as strong, kind and had a lot going on in her mind even if she didn’t say anything. She gave another shot to three humans and put her trust into them.
Asami was going to be there for her, no matter what.