Chapter 17: Her First Day of Spiritual Training
Koda punched the air as he stood shirtless on the icy ground of the South Pole. He went for a mid kick and did a roundhouse next as he worked off his aggression. He panted and sat down when he heard someone approaching him from behind and he smirked as he recognized the footsteps.
"Hey Korra," he said without even turning, surprising the girl.
"Darn it. I wanted to sneak up on you." The tribal girl said in a moan as she walked around him to talk face to face.
But was halted by the site of his abs, mhm, those chiseled abs, and that chest...
Was she drooling?
"You're drooling," Koda said with a chuckle. She later wiped it off as he stood up straight.
"So," Koda said, "What's up?" he asked while standing up to stretch a bit.
Korra gave a tiny grin, "Well, my uncle wants me for training. We have to do some traveling and you are coming with me for moral support. Congrats."
"Well, okay," Koda said. He later grabbed his black t-shirt as well as the aviator jacket and put them on.
"C'mon." she said as she whistled for Naga, who ran up to them, "We got a meeting to go too." She said while mounting the polar bear dog.
Koda zipped up his jacket and mounted the dog. He wrapped her arms around Korra's waist snuggly, the Avatar whipped the reins, "Let's go Naga!" she commanded, and the dog moved.
"So, you and Asami had that girl talk yet?" Koda asked teasingly.
Korra's cheeks turned a bit pink, "Yes. We did... you know for a friend she was really intent on knowing how much you fail at kissing." She shot back with a grin.
Koda just smiled at her, "Well, I know for a fact that I am good. Don't see you complaining. Ten out of ten right?"
The tribe girl clicked her teeth, it was true. He was that good, "Yes."
Koda nodded as he puffed up his chest a bit. They rode in silence until Koda spoke.
"You know..." Koda started, "We never really talked about the whole me dying thing." He said carefully.
Korra turned her head with a confused look, "What's to talk about. You're here, that's all that really matters." She said in a dismissive tone.
Koda sighed, "Korra, c'mon. It isn't that simple, trust me on this."
Korra was quiet for a beat and then she spoke, "I don't really want to talk about it." She said in a low tone.
"It could make you feel better. You don't want to bottle this up."
The Southerner laughed a bit, "I guess, I've really just ignored it really. I mean, with training, hanging with you and the others... I, I buried it so to say. I mean, at first, when I really thought about it. It terrified me. Losing you like that? I just felt so angry, I hated him, I really did. I wanted him to pay and then bam! Avatar State. It was kind of blurry for me, but, I know I ended him... and," she said with a tiny sob, "I liked it." She whispered while tightening her grip on the reins. Naga came to a halt from feeling her partner's mood.
Koda held Korra closer as she cried a little and the dam broke from holding it down so long. Koda stroked her hair lightly, "Why'd you wait so long?" he asked as he felt really guilty. He knew how Korra felt in a way, it was what made him leave the United Forces. During his time he was in many warzones and was involved in a lot of killing. He was just plain used to it, he guessed.
But Korra was still a kid, a teenager with the weight of the world on her shoulder. He would have to talk to her about this more often at a later date. It just isn't healthy.
"Sorry." He whispered to her as they held for a tender moment.
"S'okay." She muffled in his jacket, "Just don't leave me again."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"It's a promise of a lifetime."
Korra giggled as she wiped her loose tears and held him closer. Her uncle wouldn't mind if she was a little late, right?
The two held in silent embrace.
'Later'
They arrived to see Unalaq preparing to go as they entered the meeting area.
"You're early." Unalaq said with mild surprise.
Korra dismounted with a jump as Koda climbed down.
The Avatar looked shocked, "I thought we were late? Oh well." She admitted with a shrug, "Guess I'm pumped to learn that Unalaq spirit fighting technique." She said with a hint of giddiness.
"That's not how he did it," Koda said.
"Koda is correct. I am not here to teach you to fight spirits." He said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm here to help begin your spiritual training." He said as he waved his other hand.
"We're going to one of the most remote places in the world. The long neglected spiritual center of your tribe, the South Pole."
Korra looked surprised, "You're going to train me at the South Pole?" she asked with a bewildered look.
"We will do more than just train. By neglecting the spirits, the people of the south have brought darkness upon themselves. And now it threatens to destroy our tribe." He reasoned, "We must set things right." He finished firmly, "The southern water tribe depends on you."
"A dangerous trip to the South Pole? Count me in!" she said in an excited tone.
"She really likes the danger, doesn't she?" Koda asked himself.
'Not my fault you pick the weird ones.' the earth spirit said in his mind.
Koda frowned as he spoke in his thoughts, 'She isn't weird.'
'Are you sure about that?'
'Okay, maybe a little... but in a good way,' Koda defended.
Koda was lifting a bag and placing it on Naga as Korra secured her animal friends riding gear for the road ahead while Unalaq and his children prepared their mounts as well.
"Didn't Mako and Bolin say they were coming?" Korra asked as she stood up and looked at her boyfriend.
Koda finished securing the bag and turned to her with a thoughtful look, "They did, but I haven't seen them." He admitted.
Suddenly Tonraq rode up on a snowmobile and Unalaq did not look pleased as he approached him, "Tonraq, what do you want?" he asked.
Tonraq walked up to him, "I heard you were taking Korra to the South Pole. I'm going with them." He declared.
"Absolutely not! You are a distraction to Korra and a hindrance to what needs to be done." Unalaq countered.
"My daughter is not going without me!" the father retorted, "She needs someone to watch after her."
Koda stood there, not wanting to interfere within family affairs.
"Dad, why do you always think you know what's best for me?" she asked with irritation.
"Because he's misguided." Unalaq stated, "The sad truth is that it is men like your father that put the spirit world out of balance. He's ignored my warnings in the past and hasn't learned since!"
"What happened in the past?" Korra asked in confusion.
"It doesn't matter." Tonraq stated with finality, "What matters is the Everstorm." He said changing the subject.
"Wait, isn't the Everstorm a massive blizzard that's battered the South Pole for decades?" Koda asked.
Unalaq looked at the earthbender, "How do you know?" he asked.
"Gran Gran Katara told me," Koda said.
"Unalaq, I'm coming, unless you think you can stop me?" Tonraq challenged.
They stared at one another for a long moment until the voice of Bolin broke the atmosphere.
"Guys! Wait for me!" Bolin shouted as he and Mako rode up on snowmobiles, Bolin's having a sidecar.
While Mako was wearing a regular snow outfit with his trademark scarf, Bolin was in some kind of jumpsuit snow ensemble.
"We're travelin' in style." Bolin said with a smirk as he leaned his arm on the steering and hitched forward a bit, "Whoa!" he exclaimed, "Okay, I'm sorry. Still trying to get used to that throttle."
"I gotta say, Varrick's got some sweet gear." The firebender stated as he revved a bit.
"I got this fancy snowsuit!" Bolin added, "It's inflatable and has an internal heater, emergency heater, and food ration pouch! I mean, if I get lost, I can survive on this thing, for, for like a month!" he said as he dug into his suit and pulled out some little green discs, "Who wants some freeze dried cucumber quats?" he asked waving them around, "Nobody?" he asked and pulled them back from the silence he got in return, "Did I interrupt an important conversation?" he asked in a low sensitive tone as Pabu popped out of the suit and took the food.
"No. The conversation is over." Korra stated and turned to her father, "Dad, come if you want. Just don't interfere with my training." She said as Naga began to walk.
Koda turned to hear Eska ask if his sidecar could hold two, but Bolin asked who was going to drive...turns out the twins both sat in the sidecar.
He snickered lightly. Oh how he was going to enjoy seeing what else happened to Bolin.
...
It was dark out now, they had been traveling for quite a bit thus far, but it was going smoothly despite the cold.
Korra rode up closer to her uncle and started talking, "So once we get to the South Pole, then what happens?" she asked.
"You will be opening an ancient spirit portal." Unalaq answered.
"I'm sorry, what now?" Korra asked with a befuddled look.
"At the South Pole, there is a portal that connects our world to the spirit world." Unalaq answered for clarification.
Koda perked up in interest at this.
"It has long been closed."
"And that's why the evil spirits are attacking?" Korra asked.
Unalaq shook his head, "There are no evil spirits. There is light and dark in them all." He supplied, "And when they're unbalanced, the darkness takes over. If you can open the portal in time, balance will be restored."
"We have a time limit?" Koda asked with a confused look, "Something big going on?"
Unalaq nodded, "There is a reason why the Glacier Spirits festival ends on the winter solstice. That's when the physical world and the spiritual world are close together. Only then can the Avatar open the portal."
"The winter solstice is tomorrow." Korra said with slight concern.
"Exactly and we cannot afford to wait another year." Unalaq added.
"But why now? Why not before it got this bad?" Koda asked curiously.
Unalaq sighed, "An excellent question Koda. Your father was of course Korra's spiritual trainer, but my brother wanted Korra to train herself to be a proper Avatar. I tried to speak out but Tonraq didn't want to hear of it." He answered with a sad tone.
Korra gripped the reins a bit tighter at that.
Naga walked a bit further and turned her head to growl at the storm.
"Easy Naga." Korra said patting her head as she looked in the direction her animal companion was looking towards.
"What are those?" Bolin asked, seeing shadowy figures in the foggy distance.
Koda had a hard glare, "Dark spirits. I can feel their malice."
The spirits disappeared in a wisp of snowy wind, as if they were never there.
"Let's keep moving." Tonraq said as he revved his ride, "We have to find a safe place to set up camp." He said as he drove forward.
After a bit of searching, they found an ice cave and unpacked some gear as they made a fire.
As they all sat around it, Korra spoke up.
"Uncle, why do you think the dark spirits are following us?" she asked.
"Can we not talk about dark spirits, please?" Bolin asked fearfully.
"If I had to guess I'd say that part of the reason they're angry is because of your father's here." Unalaq said, which earned a look from Tonraq that showed he didn't want this topic to continue for some reason.
"What do you mean because my dad's here? Why would they be angry at him?" Korra questioned not understanding while also having some concern for her dad's safety.
"Haven't you ever wondered how your father ended up in the South Pole? Why he's never taken you to visit his homeland in the north?" Unalaq began to raise questions that had Korra wondering the same thing.
"Unalaq this is not the time for this." Tonraq interrupted as he didn't want his past revealed yet. Korra was about to speak out when Koda beat her to it.
"You did something to anger the spirits in the past didn't you?" Koda said, earning everyone's attention before it shifted to Tonraq wondering if it was true.
"Did you?" Korra asked her dad with a slight pleading look in her eyes that asked him to tell her the truth.
Tonraq looked into his daughters eyes and debated whether he should tell the truth or not. He saw everyone waiting for him to speak up. He didn't want his past to be revealed but it was clear that his brother had now gotten Korra desiring answers from him and wasn't going to stop.
Tonraq sighed, "Back when I was still living in the North Pole, I left because I was banished." he said which earned surprised looks from all but Unalaq and the twins.
"You were banished? But why?" Korra asked as she couldn't understand why her father would be banished. He was one of the most responsible, wise and caring person she had known and was proud to be his daughter. She couldn't imagine why he would've been exiled from their sister tribe.
"Because I almost destroyed the entire tribe." Tonraq said earning startled looks from the others.
"It was many years ago when my father was still the chief of the tribe. I was a general in the northern tribe who was sworn to protecting our people. One day a group of people from the fire nation attacked the village. I lead our forces to defend the village and we succeeded in driving them out of the city and deep into the frozen tundra."
"So you managed to fend off an attack and save your home. How's that bad?" Bolin said not seeing what the problem was.
"You said you drove them out of the city but I'm guessing that you didn't want to risk them returning with more forces so you decided to follow after them?" Koda asked as he thought that would be what he'd do if Republic City was attacked.
Tonraq nodded confirmation to Koda's thought, "I considered the possibility that they'd return in greater numbers so I led my men after them, intending to capture them all and bring them to justice. The enemy had managed to outrun us but we managed to track them down deep inside an ancient forest. This forest was believed by many to be the home of spirits and the barbarians clearly retreated there because they thought we wouldn't attack on such hollow ground."
"I'm guessing they were wrong to assume that right?" Mako asked.
"Yes they were." Tonraq confirmed as he continued, "I had the men launch a full scale attack that succeeded in capturing all of the invaders but in the process of doing so, the entire forest was destroyed." He explained with a morose sigh of profound sadness. Koda's hazel eyes lit up in understanding at the revelation. The older earthbender turned his head and met the blue eyes of his girlfriend, just in time to catch her nod in understanding having no doubt came to the same, or at least close to the conclusion he had from the story explained to them.
"I didn't realize the consequences I brought down upon the village because of my actions. The next night the village was attacked again only this time by dark spirits. They were angry at the north for destroying their home and began to destroy the city in revenge. I tried leading a counter attack but it was useless, these spirits were powerful and bending at them only made their rage grow. They threatened to destroy the whole city but Unalaq was able to calm the spirits and lead them back to what remained of their destroyed home." He said as Korra looked on in disbelief.
"For being responsible in leading the men to attack the forest and causing the dark spirits to nearly wipe out our home, it was with regret that my father sentenced me to banishment for my actions. So it was with shame that I left the northern tribe and went to the south to start a new life." Tonraq finally finished in a sorrow note.
The others however were speechless after hearing this. That is until Bolin spoke up.
"Wow...so you were the one who was going to be chief but then you had that incident and then Unalaq became chief. No wonder you guys can't stand each other." he said only to receive a rock thrown at the back of his head from the other earthbender.
"Ow!"
Korra stood up, "I can't believe you kept this from me." she said in a tight tone.
"I was protecting you from the shame I brought onto our family." Tonraq reasoned.
"Why do you keep hiding things from me?" she asked, "And then telling me that it's for my own protection? I am tired of you protecting me!" she said as she stomped out of the cave in a fit.
"Korra!" her father called out to her.
"Just give her some space. It'll clear her up." Koda said as he poked the fire a bit with a stick. He couldn't be there for her all the time and sometimes one just need to be by themselves.
Tonraq just bowed his head with a sigh.
...
They trekked up the mountain side on their respected mounts and vehicles.
Tonraq rode up to Korra and Koda, "Korra, you have every right to be mad at me." he said.
Koda looked at the man and then back to Korra, "I'm going to give you two some space." He hoped off into the snow and made his way to Mako, who slowed down a bit for him to hop on.
"Shit man," Koda seethed, "I know that was heavy from earlier, but still..." he trailed off as he watched Korra and her father argue. He honestly did not want to get in the middle of their personal affair, even if he was her boyfriend.
"I get ya." Mako said with a nod.
"So, how are things going with you and Klutz? Me and her haven't gotten much time to catch and hangout like we used too. So I'm a little curious." Koda said to the firebender.
Mako sighed, "She's trying to look tough, but she is really stressing about the company." He said while roaming a gloved hand through his hair, "I wish I could help more, but I can't really think of anything." He admitted.
Koda patted him on the back, "Hey, it's okay. She's a fighter, so I know she'll make it though this somehow." He stated with a grin as he saw Unalaq enter the father/daughter talk.
Mako smiled back and gave a small nod, it was true. He thought as they went up ahead with Bolin and the twins.
"Wow." Koda said, looking at the powerful storm as they parked at the top of a hill.
"I think we're here!" Mako shouted to those behind them and the rest came up to the hill to see.
The wind started to pick up a bit as they looked at the black cloud storm.
They crept through the storm as thunder cracked and all turned to a wisp-like noise.
"Is that what I think it is?" Bolin asked in fear.
"We must keep moving!" Unalaq said to everyone.
Menacing growls were all that answered around them.
"Oh man!" Bolin said as he held his face in his hands, "I really don't like this." He said hugging himself.
"Bolin, just stay calm. Keep a cool head!" Mako said, looking around before all of a sudden a tiny spirit jumped from the ground and attacked him.
The spirit was joined by another of equal size as it spooked Naga, making Korra fly off onto her back.
A flying spirit came out of the ground and flew towards Korra, but her father jumped in front of her and made an ice wall, and slapped it away with a wave of water.
A second one came from the airborne white powder and charged at Korra.
"Korra, look out!" her father called out, but Koda jumped in front of it mid-charge and stopped it short when he transformed into his spiritual state or as he called it, his Guardian Mode.
"Back off." the voice of both the spirit and Koda were heard as he lifted the spirit and slammed it into the ground, once, twice, trice and then released it into the air. He later did a flying kick, causing it to scream in pain as it was sent flying away from them.
A tiny one jumped into the engine of Bolin's snowmobile.
"Oh, it's in the engine!" Bolin exclaimed in shock, pointing his fingers in the air. The engine blew as the spirit jumped out of it, causing the thing to drive up the mountain, "Ah!" he exclaimed as he and the twins went up at high speed.
Korra jumped and fired a fireball at another spirit as they circled her and Mako, but Koda jumped into the fray as well. They attacked with fire and earth, but Korra started to bend the water in circles just like she had seen Unalaq do to calm the spirit before her, but it was sloppy and erratic. Causing the spirit to lash out at her, sending the girl flying.
"Korra!" Koda shouted as he slammed a large slab of earth that flung the spirit away.
While it was down, Unalaq began to do the same thing Korra thought of and calmed the spirit into gold particles before it disappeared.
Koda powered down and helped Korra up and gave her a quick hug, which she readily returned.
"Is everyone okay?" Mako asked as he dusted himself off.
"Ahhhhh!" Bolin shouted, "I can't stop it!" he shouted further.
The twins stood up.
"I'll save you." Eska said as each twin grabbed an arm of Bolin and jumped off the ride as it crashed into the mountainside.
They let him go in midair as his suit inflated into a large ball, making him slide down, head first. The twins on the other hand made boots of ice to slow their descent.
Mako put his foot out to stop his brother.
"Ah, can someone please deflate me?" he asked and Eska made ice spikes that popped his suit, "Thank you."
"Oh great, there goes our equipment." Mako said as he looked at all the things the spirits messed with, "Now what are we supposed to do?" he asked, turning to the group.
"There's only one thing to do." Tonraq said with crossed arms, "We have to turn back."
"No." Unalaq interjected, "The solstice is tonight. We are so close."
"This mission is too dangerous. We're leaving." The older brother said.
"No dad." Korra said, "You're leaving." She stated.
...
Tonraq was prepping to go as Koda walked up to him.
Tonraq smiled tiredly at him and put a hand on his shoulder, "Look after her."
Koda nodded and watched as Tonraq mounted his ride and returned home.
"Let's open this portal and lead your father and the entire southern water tribe in the right direction." Unalaq said to his niece, "We don't have much time." He added.
Koda made his way over to her and jumped onto Naga.
"Then what are we waiting for." Korra said as he mushed Naga so they could continue forth.
Mako was dragging the damaged sidecar from Bolin's snowmobile behind him from some cables as the twins sat in it and Bolin sat behind Mako.
"So, what exactly were you and my dad talking about?" Korra asked, still angry from before.
"Well, like a natural parent, he was worried about you." Koda said teasingly, which didn't ease Korra's anger. Koda sighed and hugged her from the waist, "Hey we're all here for you. Your dad is just doing what he feels is right. Is it the right thing? Who knows, he just cares for you."
Korra frowned a little and sighed, "Sorry, just, I am just so high strung right now." She mumbled, rubbing her forehead.
"I know...you might start getting some wrinkles soon~" he teased a bit, getting a swat to the chest, "Ow!"
"That's what you get. Ha, wrinkles, I'll show you wrinkles rock for brains." She said in a pout, but she was feeling a bit better now.
"We've arrived." Unalaq said and they all looked at the glowing ice crystal cave.
"Trees frozen in ice." Korra observed as she scanned the area.
"It's just like the sacred forest that Tonraq destroyed in the north." Unalaq said, mesmerized by the beauty of it.
"So what do I do?" Korra asked as she turned her head to her uncle.
"You must find your way to the heart of the forest where the dormant spirit portal lies." Unalaq answered and faced Korra, "From here, you're on your own."
"Oh hell no!" Koda said as he put a hand on Korra's shoulder.
"He's right." Mako said, stepping up.
"Yeah! Where she goes, we go!" Bolin announced.
"The Avatar must go alone." Unalaq answered.
"But I don't have any connection with the spirits." The Avatar said, stepping towards her uncle and closed her eyes.
Unalaq placed a hand on her shoulder, "You must believe in yourself. Like I believe in you." He said in a soft tone.
Korra turned away from him with a look of uncertainty.
"What is it?" her uncle asked.
"I guess I'm so used to people telling me how to do things that I forgot what it's like for someone to trust in me." Korra answered, "Well except Koda and my friends." She added quickly seeing her boyfriend make a face at her. But she smiled a bit; it was fun to mess with him at times.
"Damn straight." Koda said to her with a grin, he placed his hand on her shoulder once more and gave it a good squeeze.
Korra reached his hand and squeezed it in return and gave a tiny smile.
"Your friend speaks the truth. All your past lives are inside you. Let them guide you." Unalaq said with an offered smile of assurance, "Let them help you find the light in the dark."
Korra took a breath and gave Koda one quick hug, "Wait here. I'll be okay." She said and started to move forward.
"I know you will," Koda muttered and hated that he couldn't go.
Korra walks into the forest leaving everyone. She arrived deeper into the forest with an uncertain look but then something appears and they are two snake-like spirits coming at her but she starts running but the snake spirits wrap themselves around the Avatar and another spirit attacks her but she unleashes a blast of fire and manages to free herself using Airbending but the snake spirits charge again at Korra who makes an ice wall and separates them from her and arrives at a cave where she finds a glowing dome.
"The spirit portal." Korra said.
'Southern Air Temple'
Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo are sleeping but Jinora wakes up and walks through the halls in a dazed state and she arrives at the statue room where she snaps out of her dazed state and comes across a statue of an unknown Avatar.
"What Avatar is this?" Jinora asked.
'Spirit Portal'
Korra stares at it.
"The light in the dark." Korra said and she starts delivering a punch at the frozen portal with Airbending but no effect and so she tries Firebending but nothing. "Why isn't this opening?" Korra asked but then more dark spirits appeared outside and started attacking the roof. "C'mon, portal, open!" Korra yelled still bending at the portal but more spirits break through the roof and they go for Korra and grab her waist but she Firebends at the portal but no effect and she's going for the dark spirits but then Korra enters the Avatar State and breaks free but the spirits grab her again she tries to reach the portal and later she places her finger on the portal and an orange ring forms and the ground starts to crack creating a blast and the spirits vanish.
At the South Pole a green beam of light rises and causes the Southern lights to appear and the Everstorm starts to disappear.
"The spirits dancing in the sky." Korra said.
'With Jinora'
Jinora is staring at the statue which starts glowing, shocking her.
'With Koda'
Koda and the others watch the bright light emerging from the portal.
"I can't believe it." Mako said.
They all see Korra exiting the forest and Koda ran at her with a big twirl hug, "Awesome job Korra." He whispered to her and pecked her on the lips, "It sure is pretty." He admitted looking up.
Korra smirked and tightened the hug, "What can I say? It's what I do." She said with a tiny shrug, "But yeah, it is." She said looking up with him.
Unalaq walked up to them.
Korra turned to her uncle with a smile, "Everything you said was true."
"Avatar Korra, you have taken the first step into bringing balance back into the south and soon the whole world." Unalaq said with pride.
The smiled at the sky once more before heading back as the sun started to rise.
As they were almost back, they could see a massive amount of ships entering the port.
"What are all your northern troops doing here?" Korra asked.
"Opening the spirit portal was only the first step into bringing the southern water tribe back to its righteous path." Unalaq explained, "There is more difficult work to be done before our two tribes are truly united." He finished.
Korra didn't look sure and turned back to the large fleet docking into the harbor.
Koda's eyes widened at the realization of what Unalaq made Korra do, 'He made her start a fucking civil war!'
(A/N: If you want to know what his guardian mode looks like, enter this link. https://fog-hill-of-five-elements.fandom.com/wiki/Xuanyuan_Shenjun_(Metal))
Weekly Power Status
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