A Spirit of Elements Chapter 40 (No Hope) (Patreon)

Korra clenched her teeth; she wanted to punch him; perhaps a few missing teeth would do the job, but another part reminded her that she would simply prove to him that he was right, that she had lost her argument and simply lashed out like a child who was denied their favorite toy.

"You don't know Naruto like I do. Even during the fight, he held some amount of control. You saw what happened to Asami. Everyone would have been angry. Don't forget all he has contributed. He has tried for years to unite the benders and non-benders. Nonbenders still see him in a good light." Korra said and was about to say more when Tenzin cleared his throat.

"Naruto saved many lives throughout the years and, most importantly, created a new way to cultivate lands for Earth Benders in the Earth Kingdom. Naruto might be dangerous, but his power is something he can learn. None of the Avatars of the past can say they were able to bend all four elements on their first try. Naruto can safely try to control his power in the spirit world. So yeah. My nephew is Worth Protecting." Tenzin proclaimed with a hint of pride; Mako pressed his lips into a thin line, unsure of what to say. Maybe they were right; he just wanted everyone to be safe, for Bolin to be safe.

Before Mako could think of saying something, with a sudden force, the door burst open, causing an abrupt interruption to the tense atmosphere of the room. In walked Lin, her footsteps echoing through the space as she carried with her an expression riddled with sorrow and despair. It was evident that she was struggling with something that weighed heavily on her mind. With a deep breath, she finally spoke,

"I am here for Naruto."

As Korra strode purposefully in front of Lin, she summoned every ounce of her inner strength to muster the deadliest glare possible. Her eyes locked onto Lin's with a fierce intensity as she demanded, "Why do you need Naruto?" Her arms, once tightly crossed in front of her chest, now hung loosely at her sides as she balled her hands into fists, ready to unleash a powerful punch should Lin refuse to provide an adequate answer. But just as Korra was about to launch herself at Lin, Tenzin appeared at her side, his calming presence diffusing the tense situation. He stepped between the two women, gently pushing Korra back as he addressed Lin, his voice even and measured.

"Lin, I take it you're here to arrest Naruto?" Although his words were intended as a question, the tone in which he spoke them made it clear that he was simply stating the obvious; with a heavy sigh, Lin reluctantly confirmed Tenzin's assumption, admitting that she was indeed there to arrest Naruto. She couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration wash over her, as she had always found Naruto to be an endearing fool, despite his many shenanigans. However, as a member of the law enforcement team, she had no choice but to carry out her duty, even if it meant arresting someone she had grown to care for.

As she stood there, memories of a much younger Naruto came flooding back to her, causing her heart to ache with sadness. She remembered how he used to follow her around, always eager to play and have fun. But those days were long gone, and she had to face the reality of the situation. Lin knew that she had her orders, and she would obey them even if it meant doing something unpleasant.

Mom would have done the same, Lin reminded herself, knowing her mother always got the job done; the only exception was Suyin. Lin had promised herself that she would be different; she would do better than her mother, and for this reason, she would not let criminals get away; even if Naruto wasn't a criminal, he was still dangerous to everyone.

"Yes, Tenzin. I would like for you to step away," Lin ordered sternly, her voice ringing with authority and determination. Tenzin could sense the overwhelming strength and conviction in her tone, but he also detected a faint undercurrent of melancholy that lingered beneath her words. It was as if Lin's heart was warring with her mind, torn between the duty of her position and the deep emotional connection she shared with Tenzin and Naruto. Despite the outer façade of rigid control, Tenzin knew Lin was struggling to keep her composure, and the weight of the situation was taking its toll on her. It was a small, fleeting moment of vulnerability that Tenzin caught.

"Like hell, you will," she spat, the words dripping with venom as she summoned a powerful spear of water into being, the liquid twisting and coiling around her like a living thing.

"Korra, stand down," he ordered, his eyes fixed on the formidable metal bender Lin, who stood before them, her arms crossed and her gaze steely. Despite the situation's urgency, Tenzin's attention remained solely on Lin, leaving Korra feeling ignored and dismissed. The Avatar's heart sank as she struggled to suppress the rising feelings of betrayal that threatened to consume her. Her eyes flickered from Tenzin to Lin, her anger and frustration growing by the second.

"Absolutely not. I won't give up on him." Korra exclaimed, preparing to unleash her attack on Lin when Tenzin finally turned to her with a deep sense of sorrow echoed in his expression.

"Korra, please stand down," he calmly stated, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "Whether you like it or not, Naruto will get a trial eventually. What will you do if you decide to run away? You can't hide forever." Tenzin took a few careful steps forward, his eyes locked onto Korra's, hoping to convey the gravity of the situation. "I swear we will save Naruto," he promised, his voice filled with conviction. As he drew closer, Tenzin continued to speak, his words filled with reassurance and hope.

Korra's frustration boiled inside her as she clenched her teeth, her mind racing to find the right words to counter the accusations thrown at Naruto. She wanted to defend him, to make them see he wasn't the criminal they thought he was. As she opened her mouth to speak, Tenzin's hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to stiffen slightly. She turned to face him, unsure of what he was going to say, but the calming presence of his touch slowly relaxed her.

"Please, just stand down for now. Naruto will soon be free." Tenzin promised, knowing the last thing Naruto needed was for Korra to attack Lin publicly; attacking her wouldn't help Naruto's case in any way; it would only make things a lot worse. He explained to Korra that attacking Lin would not help Naruto's case in any way. Tenzin's words were measured and precise, and he hoped that Korra would listen to reason and trust in his leadership.

Korra looked downwards, not really knowing what to do; a part of her wanted to fight back, to get Naruto and go somewhere together, but Tenzin's words repeated in her mind, reminding her that they would be in the run forever, the only way to avoid that would be to reach some kind of deal, for Naruto to be publicly free.

"Naruto won't be mistreated," she declared with conviction, her voice carrying a sense of responsibility and care. "I will personally make sure of it," she added, her words ringing like a promise. The latter simply sighed heavily before nodding, accepting it for now.

Lin said nothing but walked up to Naruto's room; Meanwhile, Korra watched with tears streaming down her face as Tenzin embraced her tightly, offering her comfort and support in the face of this situation. As the squad arrived to help Lin carry Naruto's sleeping form to the prison, Korra stood motionless, her mind reeling from the past few days' events. She couldn't believe that it had come to this - that her friend, her love, was now being taken away to pay for crimes he wasn't responsible for.

Despite her grief and anger, Korra knew there was nothing she could do to change the situation. All she could do was stand there and watch as Naruto was taken away, hoping that one-day things would be different.

The Squad was the Beifong Squad of the Republic City; they were the elite squad, the best benders Republic City had to offer, including Firebenders, Waterbenders, and Earthbenders.

Korra frowned when she saw them; where were they when she and Naruto needed help against Amon? Did they just wait until everything was already done? Once Naruto was carried outside, Korra was tempted to free him, but Tenzin held her, already knowing what she was thinking of doing.

Lin stood before Tenzin, a deep sadness etched into the crevices of her face as she mustered the courage to send him a look that spoke of the regret and disappointment she felt inside. The look, laden with unspoken emotions, said more than words ever could - that she wished with all her heart that things hadn't gone this way, that they could go back to the way they were before. With a heavy heart and a deep sigh, she slowly closed the door of the Air Temple, hoping that somehow, someday, things would be alright again.

Korra slumped down, her body suddenly feeling like it weighed a ton. The whole night, she hadn't slept for one moment. As she hit the floor, she realized just how exhausted she was. Every part of her being screamed for rest, but she couldn't seem to find the energy to stand up. Her muscles felt weak, and her eyes felt heavy, begging to be closed. It was as if the whole world's weight was resting on her shoulders, and she couldn't bear it any longer.

"Narutooo..." Korra whispered his name before falling asleep, her body exhausted. As Tenzin gazed down at Korra, his heart ached with sadness, and he knew that he had to do something to comfort her. With gentle care, he gathered her up in his strong arms and began to carry her slowly toward her room, his mind racing with thoughts of how to ease her pain. As they reached her chamber, he laid her down gently upon her soft bed, pausing momentarily to adjust the covers and tuck them snugly around her. With a tender touch, he pulled up the mattress to keep her warm and cozy. Even in her slumber, Korra hugged herself tightly, seeking solace in the warmth and comfort of her own embrace.

"Fear not, Korra," he said, placing a comforting hand on her forehead, "Naruto will not be abandoned, not while I draw breath and have the power to protect him." His voice was steady and calm, filled with a quiet strength that spoke of his unshakeable determination. As he stood there, bathed in the soft light of the sun filtering through the window, he felt a deep sense of responsibility and love for both Naruto and Korra, two very important people in his life. Tenderly, he gazed down at Korra's sleeping form, taking in the peaceful expression on her face, before turning to leave. With one last glance over his shoulder, he closed the door, leaving Korra to slumber soundly

As soon as Tenzin arrived back in the common room, Pema eagerly approached him with a furrowed brow and a sense of urgency in her voice, asking, "Tenzin, what should we do?" After having gently carried Korra to her bed for some much-needed rest, Tenzin was met with the sight of his wife checking in on the children, all of whom were thankfully fast asleep. Despite the peacefulness of the moment, the question lingered heavily in the air, causing both Tenzin and Pema to exchange worried glances as they considered their next move.

"Bumi first, then we talk with Kya. She will want to know what is happening." Tenzin spoke firmly, ready to call his siblings.

Bumi

As Bumi slowly opened his eyes, he was immediately greeted by the warm and invigorating rays of sunlight that were pouring through the closed window and onto his face, causing him to squint momentarily before adjusting to the brightness. He couldn't help but let out a contented sigh as he basked in the rejuvenating energy that the sun was providing him with, feeling as though he had been given a new lease on life. It was as if all of the tiredness and stress of the previous days had melted away in an instant, leaving him feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead. This was a feeling that he had not experienced in a long time, and he relished in it, feeling grateful for the simple pleasures that life had to offer.

Bumi leisurely sat down to enjoy a hearty breakfast, savoring each bite of his favorite meal - fluffy pancakes with a side of crispy bacon and a steaming cup of coffee. After relishing the delicious flavors, he headed to his closet, picking out his usual attire - a crisp white shirt, neatly pressed trousers, and his favorite pair of loafers. With his stomach full and dressed in his everyday clothes, Bumi felt ready to embark on the next chapter of his life. He picked up the envelope containing his retirement letters, the culmination of his long and illustrious career as a Commander.

Today would be the day when he would officially retire; for someone who has served in the military for decades now and his age had eventually caught up to him, Bumi was still in good form. General Iroh had tried to convince him that he should stay a little longer, but Bumi had gotten old, and he wanted to enjoy the rest of his life with his nephews and nieces.

Just as he was about to leave, his telephone suddenly started ringing, breaking the peaceful silence of the morning. Bumi arched an eyebrow, wondering who could be calling so early in the morning, his mind racing with possibilities - perhaps it was an urgent work matter, or maybe Tenzin.

He walked up to it before picking it up.

As Bumi settled himself onto the comfortable chair, he couldn't help but wonder who could be calling him at this time of day. His curiosity piqued, and he picked up the speaker and pressed it to his ear. "Who is it?" he questioned, his voice laced with suspicion and intrigue.

"Bumi, it's me, Tenzin." Tenzin's voice reached Bumi's ears through the telephone, making Bumi grin, happy to hear from his little brother.

Bumi's voice boomed through the phone as he greeted his brother Tenzin with a sly grin, "Ohh Tenzin, my dear brother! How have you been? How are the little ones? I bet they miss their favorite uncle!" His playful tone was evident as he continued to tease his sibling, "Speaking of missing, I already know you've been missing me terribly. Don't worry. I'll be sure to pay you a looong visit soon enough." The sound of Tenzin's loud groan only added to Bumi's satisfaction as he imagined the look on his brother's face.

"Usually, I would tell you that you don't need to go through the trouble of visiting me. I'm afraid I need your help." Tenzin spoke seriously, his voice lacking the playfulness he usually had whenever he talked with Bumi.

Bumi's eyebrows furrowed, creating a deep crease on his forehead as he listened intently to his brother's words. He had known his brother for his entire life, and he knew that his brother never used that tone unless something serious was going on. "What is it?" Bumi asked right away, his voice changing from teasing to that of a commander.

Bumi listened intently as Tenzin told him everything that had happened for the past six months since Korra arrived in Republic City. To hear that his little nephew was from another world was something he hadn't expected and had caught even someone like Bumi by surprise, but when he heard that Naruto was imprisoned, Bumi knew he needed to act fast.

"Alright, Tenzin. Tell me in great detail how the fight between Korra and Naruto went. I want even the smallest detail." Bumi ordered; with that, Bumi quickly grabbed a blank piece of parchment and a sharpened pencil from the nearby table and sat down to take notes on every detail that Tenzin would impart.

It took almost an hour until Tenzin was finished; Bumi was deep in thought, trying to think of something. The silence between them grew thicker and heavier by the second until it engulfed the entire room. Tenzin began to feel uneasy and nervous, wondering what was going on in Bumi's head. After what felt like an eternity, a minute passed, and Bumi still hadn't uttered a word. Tenzin could no longer stand the uncomfortable silence and decided to break it by calling out to his brother on the telephone. "Bumi?" he said, his voice echoing through the room.

"Alright, Tenzin. I will arrive there as soon as possible. I need you to do something first. Find out just how much damage Naruto has caused to the city after he lost control. Second, when Korra wakes up, she must tell another version of the events that transpired." Bumi explained as he wrote a number on the piece of paper.

"Another version of events?" Tenzin questioned, slightly confused, not really getting where his brother was going with this.

"Korra is the biggest player in this. Her words will matter the most because she's the Avatar, and second, she was the one who fought and 'won' against Naruto when he lost control. When they interview her, she needs to change the details." Bumi explained with a commanding tone, making it clear he wasn't playing around.

"Like what?" Tenzin asked with a hint of hope from the other side of the telephone; Bumi could hear the shuffling of papers and the sound of his brother standing up before picking up the phone again. It was clear that Tenzin was poised to take notes and absorb every morsel of information that Bumi was about to divulge.

"People need to believe that Korra can handle Naruto. When they ask, Korra needs to say that during her whole fight, she fought without the Avatar State and was able to handle him. When Naruto used his bomb, Korra should say that she was able to get into Avatar State and deflected the bomb, and with her new strength, she was easily able to detain Naruto, and that she's able to use the Avatar State if Naruto loses control again." Bumi explained, and Tenzin listened intently while writing down everything his brother said.

"This will make people believe that Naruto is not as dangerous and is not a wild card that cannot be controlled," Bumi added, knowing how much people, in general, hated things that couldn't be controlled, especially someone as dangerous as Naruto. A bomb that could destroy a city as big as Republic City was a major Red Flag to everyone; even an ability like Combustion Ability like that of P'Li pale compared to Naruto's bomb.

Bumi wasn't a fool, though; even if Naruto's head wasn't on a spike by the end of this, nothing would be the same as before; he was already thinking of ways to make sure Naruto either learns how to control his power and not be dangerous anymore to the world or make sure he is never in any situation where he can lose control again.

"I understand. Should I call Kya next?" Tenzin's voice reached Bumi's ears through the telephone speaker, making him escape his thoughts.

Bumi's voice echoed through the telephone, "Yes, but make sure Mother is there too. I need to go now." As he prepared to hang up, Tenzin's voice cut through the line, "Go where?"

"Lord Zuko owes me a favor. I think it is about time I use it." Bumi quickly added before closing the telephone. As soon as he did, Bumi stood up from his chair, his eyes looking at the retirement letters he still needed to give to Iroh.

Bumi stood before the flickering flames of the fireplace as he contemplated his next move. "Well, it seems my retirement can wait," he said with a wry smile before crumpling up his retirement letter and tossing it into the fire. The flames eagerly consumed the paper as if eager to join in on Bumi's next adventure. Donning his trusty military uniform, Bumi felt a renewed sense of purpose and pride, ready to embark on his journey to the Fire Nation.

Let's hope this goes well, Bumi thought as he left his house.

Northern Water Tribe

'So this is the path you choose, dear niece, helping a criminal, Unalaq thought with a solemn look of disappointment on his face. Korra was just like her father, way too impulsive and not thinking about the long-term consequences.

In front of him was a desk filled with old scrolls and books; he had information on what the Avatar was doing, and he was genuinely disappointed that his niece chose to betray what the other Avatars had at least tried to do, even if they failed.

Once I merge with Vaatu, I will become the new Avatar and truly help the World, unlike Korra, who, instead of killing a creature that could destroy all life in the world, instead she decides to defend it; Unalaq stood up, shaking his head.

Aang decided to spare his enemies, which almost caused a second war between Lord Zuko and the Earth Nation. Aang also spared Yakone. If he had killed him, Amon and Tarrlok would have never existed. Roku's stupidity caused a 100-year war. Kyoshi attacked Chin The Conqueror only when he was directly against her. She didn't care to do anything until he directly opposed her. The world needs a new and better Avatar, Unalaq thought with determination. Perhaps it was time for him to visit Republic City.