Chapter 16

Comatose state day #13

~ Mako ~

Republic City Police Station holding cells.

“Here’s your lunch. . .Mako.” Officer Klein stated with a bit of disgust in his voice.

Mako grunted and turned to face the handsome but arrogant young police officer.

“Did you take care of it? Is it finished?”

“No, I wasn’t able to get myself or any of your trash into the protection detail. They wanted me to stay here and look after you and the other prisoners. Right now, I’m keeping my guys out of the heat and off the radar. I won’t risk any more of their lives for your psycho justice crusade. You need to face the facts, its over. You failed to kill her when you had the chance. Now she’s going to be more protected than the Firelord.”

A deep menacing growl rose out of Mako as he locked gazes with the young officer. Fire blazed within his eyes, glowing a bright crimson. Within a split second, before the metal bender could even blink, Mako had him by the throat through the bars.

“You better listen to me slime ball, its not over till I say its over. I’m already going down for what I did to Korra and all of those other traitorous bastards who protect and love her, so what makes you think I won’t turn you into a human torch right here and now? . . . I’ve got nothing to lose.” He growled out the last statement as he continues to lock gazes with the now trembling officer.

“Oh. . . or even better, I could ‘let it slip’ that a certain officer is a bit crooked. And that he helped me put everything together. . . you’d be charged right along side me. We wouldn’t want your family to be put on any lists now, do we?”

“Alright, alright I get it. Just let go of me.” He sighed and rubbed his neck as Mako stepped back into the cell taking his food with him. “I’ll see what I can do. But I can’t promise you anything. I wasn’t joking when I said that they will be protecting the Avatar just as much, if not more, than the firelord. We need to be smart about this.”

Mako sat in deep thought for a few moments.

Fuck, he’s right! Korra and Asami are both going to be very heavily protected. . . . . But she has to die. Even if it’s the last thing I ever do.

“Klein. . . . get Hideki and Tenahi, tell them. . . . that plan b is now in motion.”

“But Mako, thats- that’s a suicide mission for everyone invol-“

“Do it Klein! This doesn’t end, until the Avatar is no longer breathing. Am I understood? And if we just so happen to put that traitorous bitch Sato down with her, then all the better for us.”

Officer Klein stood there in front of Mako’s cell staring at the fuming firebender. He didn’t want to do this. It was just too crazy.

And then it hit him like a four ton polar bear dog.

“You do realize that you’re the one in a cell right?. . .This is OVER, Mako. I don’t have to do a damn thing anymore. And I’m not going to. I’m not putting my men in anymore danger. You’ve officially went from not so sane, to absolutely psychotic. I’m done. Go and tell the other officers about me. I’ll be out of the city before they even start thinking about where to look first. So whatever you were planning, count me out. I never wanted in, in the first place.”

The young officer went to turn and walk away, but didn’t get 2 feet away when Mako firebent at him. He knew he would do that though, so he ducked and rolled to the side and shot out his metalbending cables that shocked the firebender upon contact, causing him to convulse and twitch with vigor until finally passing out a few long seconds later.

Klein stood slowly, shaking his head at Mako with a scowl on his face.

“I hope they give you everything you deserve, you psychotic piece of shit.”

And with that, he turned on his heels and walked out and up the stairs to the offices.

———————

~ Jinora ~

Republic City Police Station

Jinora slowly made her way down the street to the police station. She didn’t exactly know how to tell Asami everything she found out, but she knew she had to figure it out fast.

“Hey kid, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, hey Aunt Lin. I’m just here to see Asami. Is she still here? I have something really important I have to talk to her about.”

“Yeah, she just got back from the office a little while ago. Just go up to my office. The door to the apartment should be open.”

Her eyes grew wide for a second. “Apartment? In the station?” Jinora asked with a raised eyebrow. “Alright then, thanks Aunt Lin. Where are you headed to?”

“I have to go and meet with Judge Shiang and talk about Mako’s trial. I shouldn’t be too long, just head up.”

Without another word both went their separate ways.

I still have no idea what I’m gonna say to Asami, I can’t just be like ‘Hey Asami guess what, I saw Korra’s spirit in the spirit world with Avatar Kyoshi and she says she loves you and she’s working on a way to come back soon but it’s gonna take some time.'”

“Actually. . . . that’s exactly what I can say.”

As Jinora made her way up to the offices she couldn’t help but think about Korra and how she must be feeling, being away from Asami.

I can’t imagine being trapped in the spirit world and not being able to see the people I love. She suddenly had an idea. I wonder if I take Asami to the spirit world. . .if she’ll be able to get to Korra like I did.

Its worth a shot.

She didn’t realize that she had walked all the way up to cheifs office unconsciously. After a minute of standing outside and debating with herself, she finally came to a decision.

I have to try. I can’t imagine the pain they’re  both in right now. So I have to try.

As Jinora made her way into the office, she noticed a door next to one of the bookshelves and slowly walked towards it.

*knock knock knock*

“Asami, its Jinora.”

*knock knock knock*

After a few minutes of waiting, Jinora could hear the faint sounds of rustling coming from the other side of the door. She stood up from the chair she was sitting in and went to go knock again, but as soon as she brought her hand down to the door, it was yanked open making both women jump.

“Jinora. . .what are you doing here?” Asami asked.

Her voice was hoarse, like she’d been crying all day long. She had dark circles under her eyes from many sleepless nights, the usual vibrant emerald green of her eyes was now dull and tired. Lifeless in a way. And her hair was a disheveled mess. All in all, Jinora concluded that she made the right decision.

Asami needs to see Korra.

As soon as possible.

“Hey Asami, I came to see you actually. I have something important I need to talk to you about.”

“Oh? Is everything alright?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Uhm, yeah, its uhm. . .its about Korra.”

She froze. Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes were wide and glassy as tears started falling down her cheeks unconsciously.

“Korra. . . .”

It came out a whisper full of pain and longing. Her body was trembling and she was clutching her hands to her heart as if it were being constricted. For days she has tried to busy herself with work, trying to do anything to get her mind free of the pain of not being able to see her beloved. Of not being able to do anything to bring her back from this seamlessly endless slumber. And for a while it worked. Up until Jinora uttered that sacred name.

“What. . .what about K-Korra?”

“I uh- I talked to her, Asami. In the spirit world. She told me to tell you that she loves you very much and she’ll be back with us soon. There’s just some things she has to do first.”

Asami stood there shocked. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t believe it. Silent tears continued running down her face in torrents as she stared wide eyed at the Airbender.

Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no words were coming out of it.

Within a split second, her face went from a mask of pain and sadness, to uncontrolled and wild anger. Her eyes flashed crimson and glowed slightly with rage and she started to visibly tremble.

“. . .Why?”

It was said so quietly and laced with such an immense amount of anger and malice that Jinora had to strain her ears to hear the word.

“Um, what- are you okay Asami?. . . A-Asami?”

Asami glared at the young air master and without warning shot out and gripped her by her robes with her right hand, lifting her so that they were face to face.

“I. said. WHY?! WHY DID YOU COME HERE AND TELL ME THAT? AFTER ALL THIS TIME. . . .I WAS TRYING TO FORGET! I didn’t want to feel this anymore!! WHY . . . after all this time. . .”

Her voice trailed off as she got so lost in her thoughts.

Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears.

Then she froze, her head shot up and looked at Jinora with eyes filled with terror as she let go and backed away frantically.

“Oh shit. . .J-Jinora. . . .i’m- oh Raava I’m so sorry. I-I don’t know- . . . I’m sorry. . .”

And with that, she broke.

Finally after all of this time of trying to remain strong for everyone.

She just, completely shattered.

With the blink of an eye, she collapsed to her knees and started weeping uncontrollably. Her whole body shook with her powerful sobs, and her voice was unsteady with pain and longing.

“Korra!. . . .K-Korra. . . .No! . . . . I miss you so, so much! It hurts so much! I don’t understand why this happened. Why to her? Why to my beloved? This isn’t fair!! This isn’t fair. . . . .this isn’t fair!”

After getting over her brief shock, Jinora immediately flew to Asami’s side and enveloped her in a tight embrace as she wept.

She cooed into the heiresses hair as she rocked slightly back and forth, rubbing comforting circles into her back, letting her vent all of her pent up emotions.

“I can’t handle this! I- I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s like I can’t function without her. If-” She hesitated. “If she doesn’t come back to me. . .i’ll have no reason to be here anymore. Im so scared Jinora. I’m completely terrified. I can’t imagine living without her. I just can’t.”

She sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed even more.

How long they were sitting there, she didn’t know, but the pain she felt for her friend was extremely immense.

“Asami, hey, it’s okay. Korra is a fighter, you know that. She’ll be back to us soon.”

“I miss her so much Jinora. I can’t stand this. It’s like my heart is being ripped out of my chest every minute of every day. I just got her back. . .we just found each other and then. . . . And then, this happens. . . .i just don’t understand.”

“I know, Asami. I don’t understand either.”

After an hour, Asami had finally cried herself out of tears. Except for the occasional sniffle and uncontrollable tremor, she had composed herself enough to listen to Jinora tell her about her journey into the spirt world.

FLASHBACK

“Welcome Jinora, I believe there is someone waiting for you on the inside.”

“Avatar Kyoshi? How. . . .?”

“Jinora?”

“KORRA!!”

“Jinora!”

Korra ran down the stairs and tackled Jinora into a fierce hug, nearly knocking her over and knocking the air right out of her lungs.

“I’ve missed you so much Korra. . .But even my spirit needs to breathe!”

“Oh, haha, sorry!” Korra chuckled as she put her down.

“What are you doing here Jinora? How did you even find us?”

“Oh. . .my apologies Avatar Kyoshi. It is an absolute pleasure to meet you.” Jinora bowed respectfully.

“Likewise young one. I have seen and heard many great things about you. Thank you, for bringing Raava and Korra together again during Harmonic Convergence. Without your help, the cycle would have been permanently broken.” Kyoshi returned the bow and turned to Korra.

“To answer your questions Korra, this little spirit helped me. It lead me to you. I- I needed to find you. We need you back Korra. Asami needs you back. She’s not doing good. She’s barely sleeping and hardly eating, and she refused to leave your side. Aunt Kya and Lin had to practically lock her at the police station for her to finally sleep. Why can’t you come back?”

Korra felt an incredible pain in her chest. As if someone had grabbed a hold of her heart and was squeezing it with all of their might.

“I- I don’t exactly know why I can’t come back. It. . .It feels as if my spirit is stuck.” Korra tuned and looked up at Kyoshi, she had the most terrified look on her face. “Kyoshi, what if I can’t go back? Am I stuck here permanently?” Her voice was growing louder and went up an octave. It was filled with pain and hysteria.

“Korra, please calm down. You are not stuck here permanently unless you choose to be. Like I said before, you are going to be faced with many revelations and trials when you return. The only reason your spirit is still here, is because something inside of you is stopping you from returning. You need to look deep inside yourself, and find out what that is, or I fear that you may indeed be stuck here, for quite some time.”

“Korra. . . .we really need you back. We’ll help you figure out what’s wrong and help you get back. I’m not leaving until then.”

“No, Jinora, you need to go back. Did you tell anyone that you were coming? Time is different here. One day in here is 10 days out in the physical world. Now that I know what to do, Kyoshi will help me, and i’ll be back before you know it. But I need you to go back and keep an eye on Asami. Tell her. . .tell her that I love her, and that I will see her soon.”

Jinora understood. She didn’t like it. But she understood. She knew Korra was right. And who knew how long she had been in the spirit world already. She knew her family would be worried. She quickly drew a deep breath and hugged Korra tightly before bowing once more to Avatar Kyoshi.

“I’ll see you soon Nora! Don’t forget to tell Asami what I said.”

“I won’t. I’ll see you soon Korra. Goodbye Avatar Kyoshi. I hope to see you again soon.”

And with no other words she faded out and gasped as she re-entered her body.

END FLASHBACK

Both girls sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity. Asami kept running through what Jinora had said, trying to process it all. Its a lot to take in.

Afew minutes later Asami broke the silence.

“Hey, Jinora, I-I’m really sorry about attacking you earlier. I just. . .” She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “. . .don’t know what came over me. I’m not gonna say that it won’t happen again, since I can’t seem to control myself anymore, but please, can you forgive me?”

“Of course I do Asami. I will always forgive you. I understand the pain that you’re going through. And I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Nora. . . . .I still can’t believe you got to meet Avatar Kyoshi. That must have been amazing.”

She paused.

“So, hum. . .since you were able to go and see Korra, does. .-does that mean that i’ll be able to also? I-I want to help her get back. No. I need to help her get back. I need to, Jinora. Please. I need her to come back to me.”

“Well, I’m not too sure.” Asami’s face fell at the words. “But” Jinora added quickly, pausing for a few seconds as she held up one finger, making Asami silently beam with hope.

“There’s only one way to know for sure.”

—————-

Republic City Court House- Judge Shiang’s Office.

Judge Shiang’s and Chief Beifong sat in an office on the fifth floor of the court house that overlooked half of the city, discussing, in earnest, the necessary steps to take, to ensure the justice for everyone who have been hurt and or wronged by Mako.

They spend nearly 4 hours discussing the charges themselves.

Over 20 counts of aggravated assault.

Multiple counts of attempted murder.

Conspiracy to commit a terroristic act against the United Nations.

Multiple counts of evading arrest.

Destruction of public and private property.

Multiple accounts of harassment.

Attempted rape.

And so on, and on, and on.

That’s not even half of it.

“How do you want to handle this?”

“What do you mean? You’re the judge here. Not me.”

Lin sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.

“I mean, what’s your call, Lin? In your opinion, what do you think this boy deserves, punishment wise. Because, if it’s left up to me to make that decision. He’s not going to see the light of day again. At least not in this life that is.”

Lin sat there and pondered her thoughts for a few minutes.

He sure as hell doesn’t deserve to see the light of day again, after what he did to everyone. Especially to Korra and Asami.

“Honestly, judge, if it were up to me, he would never see sunlight again either. That is a given. Maybe even the death penalty if we could.”

Shiang stiffened and leveled a look of curiousness and shock at Lin.

“Now Shiang, don’t look at me like that. I know you were thinking the same thing. I’ve lost count of all the charges he’s been given. He deserves the worst we can throw at him after everything that’s happened. He’s put hundreds of innocent people’s lives in jeopardy, and all because of his psycho crusade of jealousy. . . .I can still hardly wrap my head around the fact that he did this. He was one of my best officers, and I wouldn’t have guessed that he would do something like this. But I guess you never really know who someone is until they decide to show you.”

Shiang stood up and started to pace behind his desk.

“Alright, I admit, it did cross my mind. But we can’t do that. Its not legal in Republic City, you know that. But, what we can do is put him away for as much time as we can. Send him to the Watertribe to be imprisoned in the same area as P’li.”

“That could be quite a possibility. But I don’t think that it will be wise. P’li was a hardened terrorist who was trained to endure all the torture she was given. She lasted 13 years. But If we put Mako down there, he wouldn’t last a few days.”

They both sighed and got lost in their thoughts for a minute.

“What about he Avatar? She could take away his bending. Render him useless. She could take away all of their bending. They wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone ever again.” Shiang said with determination.

“You forget, judge, that my daughter is currently in a coma, going on 13 days now. If she doesn’t come out of said coma, she won’t be able to help anyone or anything. My other half spends most of her time in the hospital trying to help her, but it seems as if Korra isn’t ready to come back yet. We can only sit back and hope that she comes back soon. So for the time being, we have to figure this out on our own.”

“My apologies Lin. I had forgotten of the circumstances and hardship surrounding your family at the moment. I hope Korra can pull through this.”

“Me too Shiang. Me too. And it’s alright. These are trying times for everyone. Not just for me and my little family. Well, judge, we need to come to a decision soon. Well, you do actually. But whatever it is, I hope its the right one.”

Lin sighed and stood up from her place, then reached out and shook Shiang’s hand.

“See you later. I have to go run some errands and then get back to the precinct. I’m glad we had this little discussion. For the fate of everyone I care about. . .i hope this all goes smoothly.”

—–

Spirit World – Spirit Grove.

“Ugh! This is absolutely useless. I can’t do this.”

Korra sat cross-legged at the edge of the waterfront looking towards the waterfall. She had been sitting like this for the last 3 hours trying to figure out what she’s supposed to be looking for to get her back home while meditating.

“No Korra you can’t think like that. You need to open up your mind! Drop all those barriers and let yourself feel all of those repressed emotions that you have been holding back and pushing down since your battle with Zaheer and the poison. I can feel the tension rolling off of you. It wants to be let out, but you aren’t letting it.”

“Hmph! Yes, I am! I’m trying my hardest but nothing is happening. How about, instead of nagging me, you come down here and try this and then tell me how easy it is. Because it isn’t.”

Kyoshi’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and she silently got up from her position on the porch and stalked her way down from the house towards Korra. When she was about 20 feet away she slowly took off her thick leather shoe and aimed, and without a second thought, she whipped it.

Korra thought she heard something flying through the air, and she picked the most horrible time to turn around.

“Wha- ooof! Ahhhhhhhh”

*splash*

Korra was so caught off guard by the shoe smacking her in the face, that it didn’t register that she had fallen over and was under the water until she needed to breathe. Finally breaking the surface she sputtered and coughed as she pulled herself up onto the bank where she flopped down like a dead fish as she sent an evil death glare over to Kyoshi who was doubled over bellowing with a deep hearty laughter that rang throughout the entire grove.

“As soon as I get my bearings back. .- huff – you’re going to pay for that Kyoshi!”

“Riiiight. Because I totally believe you.” Kyoshi said through snickers.

Korra rolled over onto her back and sighed. Staring up into the beautiful sky that was filled with different shades of reds, pinks and purples, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander to the beautiful heiress that was waiting for her back home. An unconscious tear rolled down her face as she thought of how messed up things have gotten since that night of the wedding.

I shouldn’t have gone to see him. I should have just stayed with Asami. Then none of this would have happened. This is all my fault.

Korra felt her rage and anger starting to bubble up within her. It burned deep down into her soul.

He hurt them. Countless innocent people. My family. All because he’s a fucking homophobic jealous psychopath.

She stood slowly and started walking away from the grove. She needed to let out her anger. And she didn’t want to destroy it in the process.

“Korra! Where are you going?”

“I need to go for a walk Kyoshi. Please, just leave me alone.”

Kyoshi sighed and sat back down on her place on the porch. Ryun the little spirit came fluttering up to her lap. He had a slightly terrified look on his face.

“Avatar Kyoshi, is Avatar Korra going to be alright?”

“I hope so Ryun. She just needs some time to figure out what she needs to do. I know that she knows, deep down, but, she needs to come to terms with it before she can make any significant progress. It’s gonna take some time. But I hope not too much. Her family and all of Republic city need her.”

———-

Somewhere in the Spirit World.

“Why do I even bother? UGH! This is hopeless. . . I’m never gonna get back home.”

Korra sighed and slumped to the ground. She was so angry. So lost.

Why do things like this keep happening to me? I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask to become the Avatar.

“WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED? Why. . .- Why can’t I just be happy? Is that too much for me to ask for? HUH? Am I not allowed to be happy? To have a family? A wife, kids? WHY?” She shouted to the darkening sky and sobs started to break through her unmeasurable rage. She brought her knees up to her chest and began to sob uncontrollably. The tremors wracking her body from head to toe as she let all the pain and sorrow of the last few years finally surface.

The clouds turned a deep menacing purple and the wind started whipping all around.

“I don’t understand! Why do I have to go through so much pain? I finally get Asami after all of these years. After almost dying, and then this happens. Why? Why does Asami have to suffer too? Why do we have to go through these things? Can’t we just have a normal life?” Korra scoffed to herself at that thought. Ha! Normal. I could never have a normal life. *deep sigh* “I need to hurry up and get out of here. I know what I have to do now.”

With tears still streaming down her face, she stood up and dusted herself off and took a deep breath. She could feel them around her. She knew they were there. It’s time to face them.

For Asami. For our children. For our family.

“Come out. I know you’re there. And I know I need to face you. After all the pain and suffering you all put me though. Come out here!” she growled.

Slowly from the shadows appeared a spirit. Not a single spirit in particular, but a bunch of souls joined together to create a spirit so dark it was as black as night with a cornucopia of different shades of reds and blues that were so dark you could barely make them out.

“Hello Avatar. Nice to see you again!”

“Who. . .are you?” Korra asked as the spirit grew closer. Fear started to rise within her at the sight. He was hideously glorious. If such a thing were even possible.

“My name, is Zataru Atu.”

“And what is it you want from me Zataru?”

“Ah, but there you see, young Avatar, it is not what I want from you, no, I have already done what I intended to do, you are stuck here, are you not? But it is, what you instead need from me.”

“And what might that be?” She asked. Her eyes narrowing slightly as the dread started to slowly fill her core.

He smiled the most menacing, and psychotic smile Korra had ever seen.

“Why, your life of course!”

—————-

“Please Avatar. Trust me, I’m not going to hurt you. Much.” He smirked. “I’m here as more of a challenge to you. For you to finally figure out what you need to let go of. Like I said, I have achieved my revenge. Twice in fact. That dream you  had? Yes, that was my doing also.”

Korra paused. The dream, he did that.

“The dream, how was it so real? How did they hurt me like they did? Zaheer killed me. And the vision, was that a vision or was that just my imagination? Please i need to know!”

Zataru chuckled and shook his head.

“Oh you little naive girl. You have no idea. That dream wasn’t exactly a dream, more of a forced meditation state. I don’t know if you remember, but your body underwent an extreme temperature change, and yes, that was my doing also. Because of the extreme change, i had you forced into a meditative state, where you in fact woke up here, in the spirit world. Not this particular place, but in the spirit world none the less. Your fears made me, Korra. I am everyone who tried to harm you. And in that particular time, we weren’t merged together, so you got the full revenge of everyone you defeated. I was able to harm you because even though i was created from your fears, they were so strong that i became real. Not just in your mind, but in reality too.”

Korra stood there shocked. She didnt know what to think.

“A-and the vision? What was that? Please. . .” Her voice cracked and a tear slid down her face. “I need to know if i’ll be happy one day.”

“That all depends on how you do with this next challenge, young one. But to answer your question. . .yes and no. It was a in fact a path, a choice you will get to make one day. What you saw was the outcome of that choice. Whether or not you will get to make that choice falls on the decisions you will make today.”

With a look of pure determination, Korra slowly slid into one of her fighting stances. She looked up into the darkening sky, closed her eyes, letting her thoughts come together. Thinking of how much she needed to do this, to be able to finally be with the one who makes her heart flutter again. To make that vision of Asami and their child a reality. To finally be the family she has been dreaming of.

With that one final thought Korra opened her eyes and stared Zataru straight in his eyes.

“Im ready to go home. Lets do this.”

“Yes, you are ready. As you wish Avatar.”

*WHOOSH*

___________________________________

Okay my beautiful and handsome turtleducks, heres chapter 13. Yes i know, this was a crazy long wait, and i apologize, but its gonna be like that. Between work and family stuff it can get challenging. I am trying though. No promises on when the next update will be out, but i will be working on it as much as i possibly can. As always, reviews and likes are always appreciated.

Stay classy y’all,
-JK_Mystic