Adult-FanFiction.org : Cartoons

Taken	By : QuaqueNocte Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Legend of Korra, The Views: 33256 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own or make any money from Legend of Korra or the Avatar: Last Airbender franchise.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
"You've learned quickly, young Avatar. Let's put your energy tuning to the test. Tell me where everyone is and what they're doing, even Mongshou."
"Uh…" Korra sat in a meadow with Nainai standing across from her. Her eyes were closed as she felt the cool wind brush against her skin. "Mako is inside the cabin taking a nap."
"Excellent."
"Bolin's by the river with Noatak. He's laying down and…I guess talking to him? Noatak's making more carvings. He seems irritated."
"You're reading emotions as well, very good."
"Tarrlok's by a stream. He's painting something. It looks like one of Noatak's carvings. Kajuq's with him. He seems happy with his rattle." Korra smiled.
"If that's not the happiest baby I've ever seen."
"Asami's walking towards Tarrlok's direction. And Mongshou is…dancing…near a mountain over in the east."
"He's so ungraceful."
"Actually, I think it's kind of cute."
"I'm quite impressed. In less than two weeks, you've shown the potential to master energy reading and tuning. You're going to end up better than Mongshou by the time you leave. There's one last thing to cover for your training and that's to tune into your physical world's energy. I'm sure you've heard of spirit energy before. Well your world produces its own energy as well. Like spirit energy, it's undetectable to those untrained. I'm sure you've noticed how different this world feels to yours."
"Yeah, I have. It's almost creepy."
"That's because you're so used to your world's energy. You get weird vibes here because this realm is unstable. At a moment's notice, I can change any aspect of this world and your senses know that. Your world is more stable and perceived as safer."
"So I'm guessing you were the one who put me and Noatak in that hole when we first arrived." Korra crossed her arms.
"Well you two were running around like maniacs and I was trying to concentrate on something."
"Next time I'll try not to be chased by my rapist."
"Wonderful." Nainai said, causing Korra to pout. "We're done with today's lesson. I gave the rest of the group the day off, so I suppose I should let you have some time off too."
"After you finish training me with this energy reading stuff, are you still going to teach me how to energy bend?"
Nainai turned her back on Korra and started walking away. "I said I would, didn't I? I still think it's a waste of time but you have a cute baby so I'll indulge you in your fantasy."
Korra fell on her back to watch the clouds drift through the sky. Maybe she could take a quick nap.
Meanwhile
Tarrlok sat near the stream with jars of paint surrounding him. Each jar had a thin paintbrush inside and paint of different colors ranging from blue to red, green to yellow, and white to black. While Tarrlok was busy painting a sculpture of a wolf his brother had carved earlier, Kajuq was rolling around on his blanket a few feet away, giggling as he chewed on and shook his rattle. Tarrlok wasn't one to get much enjoyment out of being around children, but Kajuq's happiness seemed to be rubbing off on him. He even caught himself smiling a few times. He didn't look up from his painting when Asami approached him. Kajuq, however, started laughing and squealing. He was happy with her presence.
"I see someone's happy today." She cooed the infant before scooping him up in her arms. "I bet that rattle's making you happy." His response was to smack her in the head with his rattle.
"You should have seen that coming." Tarrlok said, still not looking up from his work.
"By now, I really should be expecting pain from him." She said before setting the infant back down on his blanket and rubbing her forehead. "I think he hits harder than his mother."
"Did you need something?"
"Well, Mako's napping and Bolin's bothering your brother so I thought I'd come watch you paint while I played with Kajuq."
"Hm."
She took a seat next to him and watched him paint the fur of the wolf purple and white. "I don't think I've ever seen a purple wolf before."
"Neither have I."
"Then why are you painting it purple?"
"Why not paint it purple?"
"Fair enough. Why are you watching Kajuq anyway? I'd think Bolin or Mako would want to do it."
Tarrlok sighed, trying to hide the irritation in his voice. "Because Nainai thinks it'd be good practice for when I become a mother."
"Well first we have to find you a suitable man and a pretty dress." His hand motion's stopped so he could give Asami an irritated look. All she offered him was a light laugh. He returned to his painting. "Don't feel bad about it. Mongshou told me that half of Nainai's physical sight is based on scent. It's not that you don't look masculine, your hair and smell throws her off because that's all she can really see."
"Of course. We all know I smell like a lady." She thought she saw a blood vessel bulge on his forehead temporarily.
"There's nothing wrong with that. When you think about someone smelling like a man, you always think of sweaty, smelly, and musty like a bunch of athletes and their workout clothes. Personally, I think you smell better than that."
Kajuq started crying. Asami was ready to get up and tend to him.
"Watch this." She heard Tarrlok say.
"Huh?"
She watched him set down his paint brush and sculpture and start bending water from the stream. Once Kajuq saw it, he opened his mouth, which Tarrlok bent some of the water into. Kajuq drunk the water and started waving his hands and rattle in happiness. He opened his mouth again to repeat the process.
"When'd he start doing that?" Asami asked.
"I trained him this morning."
"You…trained a baby?"
"Is that not what you're suppose to do?"
"You make it seem like it's the same as training a puppy."
"It basically is."
"I don't think so."

Korra was woken up by the feeling of someone approaching her. Before she opened her eyes, she could tell it was Mongshou carrying something.
'I guess I am getting good at this energy reading stuff.'
She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Hey Mongshou. What brings you here?"
"I picked some fresh berries and thought you would like some nourishment after training." He set the basket of mixed berries next to Korra before plopping down on the ground.
"Thank you. That's so sweet." She grabbed a handful of the berries and started eating them. "Are you going to have some?"
"I have just eaten last month. I do not require anymore nourishment for another 2 months."
"Really? You don't have to eat everyday or even every week?"
"My body works differently from a human's."
"Well, I figured that. You don't exactly look human." Korra stared at the last berry in her hand. "Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Do you think what Nainai says is true, that Tarrlok and Noatak can't be saved?"
"Nainai is a very wise being, but she also has a cruel outlook on things. She may be right or she may be wrong."
"Wow, that's such a big help." She mumbled before popping the berry in her mouth.
"My mistress has taught me that nothing in this universe is set in stone. Even your world is ever changing. One area that was once water may be an island thousands of year from now. Right now, Tarrlok and Noatak may be beyond help but tomorrow promises nothing but uncertainties. A light might shine through their battered souls tomorrow."
"You don't think it'd be a waste of time?"
"Not if you accomplish something."
"But how can I do that? What would it take to actually help them?"
"I wouldn't know." Mongshou opened his palm and a flower blossomed from it. "But a wise man once told me that to change the world, it starts with kindness and understanding. Perhaps a soul can be changed the same way."

"C'mon. Can't you teach me how to carve?"
"No."
"Can you at least teach me how to draw?"
"No."
"What about-"
"I'm going to take your bending away if you don't stop asking me stupid questions."
Bolin, who had been laying on the ground to watch Noatak do his carvings, gasped at his threat. "Alright, fine. I'll just shut up and watch. But just to let you know, I think you're much crankier than Lin."
Noatak shot a glare at Bolin that almost made him jump out of his skin.
"Sorry. I take it back. ….But it's true."
"Noatak, have a heart. This boy admires your work and wishes to learn from you." Nainai emerged from the woods. "Even your father had enough of a heart to teach you art."
"What do you want?" Noatak said as he turned his attention back to his current carving of a bird.
"What has you so cranky today? Was your bed too hard last night or are you just anxious because you're powerless here?" She stopped in front of a pile of carvings that the water bender had made during the past week. "Take a way a man's power and you see him for what he truly is; A miserable, unstable pile of emotions. Quit bellyaching. Korra's almost finished with her training. Then you can go back to your world and be as abusive to people as your father was to you."
"I am nothing like that man." He clenched his teeth.
"Is that so? You know, we're not so different. We both love power. The only difference is what we make of it." She picked up one of the wooden carvings. It was of an otter penguin. "Everything you see in this realm is of my creation, besides the animals. I gave life to this river. I created the light which warms all the living things here. My powers give and create." The carving in her hand suddenly changed from wood to a brown marble. "You use your powers to take and destroy. One might argue that your father has put you on this path but the desire to dominate has always been in your heart. Your father simply brought it out."
"Stop acting like you know a thing about me! Power is the only thing that matters in this life. It doesn't matter how you use it as long as you have it!" By this time, Noatak had stood up but Nainai didn't turn to him. She kept her eyes on the sculpture.
"Of course." The carving changed from marble to quartz. "I could make volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, diseases, get rid of the light and make it eternally night if I wanted. Who would dispute it? I have all the power and can do what I please."
"But wouldn't that destroy your home and possibly end up hurting you?" Bolin asked.
"Precisely." The otter penguin turned into a beautiful, glistening blue sapphire material. "Power is a poison. Some can tolerate it well, like the Avatar. Others destroy themselves trying to handle it. Despite everything you've done, Avatar Korra still wishes to show compassion towards you. She's actually stupid enough to think a hippo cow will change spots."
"I see she's still on about that." He said as he turned from her.
"Personally, I don't think you're worth it but she wants you to find some kind of happiness in life for some reason. Spirits know why."
"Did you come here just to lecture me about how much of a monster I am?"
"Actually, yes I did. I love making you feel like a pile of beetle dung. Your crankiness seeps into your energy and drives me insane. I also came to get this carving. Penguins are my favorite." Nainai tucked the sapphire sculpture into her sleeve. "Gentlemen." She gave a small nod before she stalked off back into the forest.
There a heavy silence in the air. Noatak was in deep thought as he stared blankly at the blades of grass waving in the wind. Bolin awkwardly looked at him, contemplating if he should say or do anything.
"Well I, for one, think you're actually pretty cool. When you're not kidnapping me, taking people's bending, and trying to take over Republic City." Bolin noticed his eyes shifting over to him, which made him nervous. "Uh, I think I hear Korra calling me. I think I'll go find her. Right now." He quickly stood up, stood awkwardly for a second, then left in the direction Nainai went in.

By the time lunch rolled around, Tarrlok had finished painting the wolf carving and started painting another Watertribe woman his brother sculpted. Asami was still sitting next to him while she fed Kajuq his bottle. Mongshou had brought them a basket of fresh fruits that he had picked that morning.
"Can I ask you a personal question?" Asami asked him out of the blue.
"If it's about my hair, no."
"It's about…your father."
There was short pause but Tarrlok didn't stop his painting. "What about him?"
"Do you think you could ever forgive him one day?"
"I… I never thought about it. I don't think I was actually angry or upset with my father. Whenever I think back to my past, I don't think about what my father or Kunikpa did. I always loathed what I did. My brother was always sticking up for me and protecting me. He got most of the punishments because of me. I fear this may have caused him to be who he is today."
"How can you even blame yourself for that? You were a kid, what could you do?"
"Do you blame yourself for your estranged relationship with your father?"
"I…" She looked down at the now sleeping infant. "No, I don't. He made his choice."
"To answer your question, I think I already forgave him long ago. I guess I had to. He was my father and despite everything he did, I still love him."
She sighed. "I see."
"Are you going to forgive your father?"
"Maybe. I don't know. He is my father but I don't understand how he could even think about hurting me."
Tarrlok had suddenly stopped painting and stood up, much to Asami's confusion. She looked in the direction he was staring at and saw Noatak come into view.
"Brother." Tarrlok said.
"I wish to speak to you. Alone."
She took the hint. "I'm going see if Mako's up." She stood up, gathered Kajuq's bag, and left.
"Is something wrong?" Tarrlok asked.
"I want you to come back to Republic City with me."
"What?"
"Just imagine it. The two most powerful blood benders in the world. No one would be able to stop us. And we wouldn't have to stop at Republic City. We can take over the Earth Kingdom, the Water tribes, the Fire Nation. The world could be ours if you join me."
"Noatak.."
"I missed having you at my side, brother." Noatak approached Tarrlok until they were standing a foot from one another. "We could get rid of the Avatar. The world doesn't need her. We could shape a new future for everyone."
"I have no desire to strip the world of the Avatar."
"But you have the desire to dominate. Don't pretend you can't feel it. You loved having Republic City in the palm of your hands. You have the power to control not only Republic City but any city you want and I'll help you."
Tarrlok looked at the smirk spread on Noatak's face. His eyes were just like their fathers. Was he as far gone as his brother? He knew at this moment that he'd never have a brother again.
"I'll think about it."

Dinner came around. Everyone had gathered for dinner except for Noatak. Korra was in the kitchen with Nainai and Mongshou, helping to prepare dinner and getting a bowl of seaweed noodles ready to take to Noatak. She had Kajuq strapped to her back while he sucked happily on his pacifier. Nainai had noticed her preparing two bowls.
"You plan on taking his dinner to him?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Do you not feel his energy?"
"It feels…confused?" She said with uncertainty as she pulled two pairs of chopsticks from the drawer.
"You're dumber than a sack of lemons."
"What?"
Nainai just waved her hand to dismiss her.
'I wonder what that's all about.' She thought as she took the tray of food and left.
She followed his energy signature, which lead her to the large tree he had been at previously. The tree was starting to shrivel up from him bending the water out of it. It made her frown since she thought it was a beautiful tree.
"I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you dinner."
His bending stopped. Her heart skipped a beat. She watched him turn around and approach her.
"Is something wro-" He smacked the tray of food out of her hands before she could finish. Then she found herself on her butt with a hot, stinging pain radiating through her left cheek. Did he just hit her? "What was that for?! I was just trying to help!"
"I don't need your help and I don't need saving."
"Yes, because we all know that all you've been doing is acting like a sane person all this time." She got up but kept a slight distance from him.
"You say you wish to save me but you fail to realize one thing; I love power. I love having Republic City under my control. Do you know how sweet it is to see the look on a bender's face when you strip them of everything they are?" He took a few steps forward so that he was inches away from her face. "Do you know how great it feels to have a female below you while you're forcing her body to feel things she doesn't want to?"
Korra tried to step back but she found her body wouldn't budge. She couldn't move anything. There was a lump forming in her throat that refused to go down even when she swallowed. She saw him smile when he noticed the fear and panic spreading on her face and glistening in her eyes.
"You should know how great power feels. You were once eager to use your Avatar powers to get people to do what you wish. I see having a baby has made you soft. It doesn't matter. Once we return to the physical world, I will be going back to Republic City and I'll be taking you with me. You are the final key to having total control. Once people see your bending stripped, you'll be a distant memory."
She managed to squeeze her eyes shut but the rest of her body still wouldn't move. Didn't Nainai know he was blood bending her? Why wasn't she doing anything? "N-No. I'm not going to let you have that kind of power over me." When she opened her eyes, the fear in them was gone. It made him scowl. "I told you before, I am done being afraid of you. You can beat me, rape me, take my bending away but you'll never have power over my mind. Not again. I refuse to end up like you. You're so obsessed with power because you know, deep down, that you're weak. Your father and Kunikpa still have power over you even in death. You want everyone as miserable as you are but I won't be. I am no longer your victim."
She felt another smack against her cheek. This time it sent her crashing on her side. Kajuq started crying. She cupped her cheek and looked at Noatak, who had turned his back to her. Her cheek may have hurt but she was glad he finally released his hold on her.
"Get out of here." She heard him whisper. He didn't have to tell her twice.
She ran to the river with her crying baby. As soon as she saw the water, she removed him from her back and looked him over. There was a scratch on his arm. She felt like an awful mother. She put her child in danger and he got hurt. It wasn't a big scratch but it didn't make her feel any less guilty. She sat by the river with him in her lap and started bending the water so she could heal him.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She murmured to him. The water soothed him though and his crying ceased a few seconds after she started healing him.
"I knew you weren't the brightest in the group, but I didn't think you were a wet torch in a damp cave."
She heard Nainai approach behind her. She didn't turn to her or even say anything, she just focused on her healing.
"I know you can feel how erratic Noatak's energy is right now."
"You knew he was blood bending me, why didn't you stop him?"
"Why should I have? You were the one who decided to go into the wolf's den."
"I was just trying to help."
"And what a good job you've done. He's just as crazy as he was before you got here."
Korra felt tears stinging her eyes. She bent the water back into the river, not even bothering to tend to her throbbing cheek.
"Did you notice his energy changing while he spoke to you?"
"I think I was more concerned with the fact that he was bending and assaulting me." She thought for a moment. "But…I think I did. He talked about having power and how it made him happy…"
"Yet his energy didn't give off the slightest hint of happiness."
"So what? Is that suppose to mean something?"
"It means he's delusional. Power and domination are in his heart. It's all he knows but they never made him truly happy. He's fooled himself into thinking it does make him happy. Any chance of happiness he could have had was stolen by his father. He's just a walking shell at this point."
"I see…" She whispered.
"But you know, he looks up to you, in a strange, twisted way."
"What do you mean?"
Nainai took a seat next to Korra. "You possess a power he'll never have. He pushed some of his pain onto you. It changed you. You were once hot-headed, impatient, and impulsive. Now you're calmer, more patient, and you're better at thinking things through before taking action. You didn't let yourself get dragged down. He, on the other hand, is slowly deteriorating inside. He's not in control of his own mind and he knows it. You have control over yours."
"I didn't go through everything he did though. I was only raped and impregnated. He went through far worse abuse."
"So he did, but he can sense there's something about your mind. He believes if you went through the same abuse, you'd still come out on top. You could say that he envies it."
"Great, another reason for him to hate me."
Nainai smiled and patted her back. A little too hard. "Cheer up. You'll soon be out of here and out of my hair."
Korra cradled her son close to her chest. Coming to Republic City was the biggest mistake she could have ever made. She longed to be back in the Southern Water tribe where everything was simple and safe, back when her biggest concern was getting her fire bending stance correct. She wanted to be in her parents' arms again and ride Naga around the icy tundra. Everything got complicated too fast. Maybe she wasn't ready for this. Maybe it was time to forget about saving Republic City and just focus on raising her son in the Southern tribe. Republic City was beyond saving, just like Noatak.
- 20
- 21
- 22
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Taken