(See the end of the chapter for notes .)

Chapter Text

Summary: What can we do when we don't know what is to be done?

Rated: M

Genre: Supernatural, Romance, Horror

Warnings: Violence, Cursing

“Mistress!”

Asami landed in a heap in the foyer, skin pale. Desna and Eska kneeled on her sides, faces contorted in a rare display of concern. “Your arm…” Desna whispered.

“I will find another arm,” Asami hissed. “Get the others. Now.” Quickly, the twins shot up, running through a curtain and down a hall.

Asami pushed herself up off the floor, eyes bright red. She couldn’t believe what had happened: Korra had stolen her arm, chomping it off like it was a mere treat. The though enraged her anew and she stomped over to a vase in the corner, and hurled it, cackling as it shattered on the wall, leaving a hole.

“What’s happening?” Bolin asked, storming into the room. “Asami, your arm!”

“Yes,” she hissed. “I know!”

“What happened?” Eska inquired, voice light. She was shaking slightly, hands jittery.

“Korra,” she spat. “She bit it off.”

The hive burst to life, and the vampires surrounded Asami, voices filling the foyer with sound. It was a cacophony of dissonant noises, and the buzz of it all made ASami feel crazed. “Quiet!” she shouted.

Everything went still.

“Thank you,” she groaned. “Now, someone go get me a vintage from the fridge, warm it up, and bring it to the meeting chamber in the next five minutes.”

“The meeting chamber?” Zhu Li inquired. “Milday, you said we are never to-”

“Forget what I said, Zhu Li. Meeting chamber now.” Asami had little to no patience, especially as she continued to bleed on the floor.

“Mmm, someone’s a bit testy,” Azula teased. She leaned against Mai, flashing a brash smile. “And now you’re going to drink heavily too? You’re spiraling down, Sato.”

Asami rolled her eyes and stormed across the room. Her right hand shot out and snatched at Azula’s throat, lifting her from the ground. “Look here, princess, you’re going to shut your pretty little mouth and go settle into the meeting room, got it?” Azula shook her head, eyes wide with true fright. “Good.” Asami opened her hand and Azula dropped, falling into a crouch.

Azula lifted a hand to her throat, gently rubbing it as she stood up slowly. “I’ll go get the medical kit,” she croaked, scampering down to the bathrooms.

When Korra returned inside, the entire pack was awake.

Katara was still frantic, eyes flickering between ice blue and bright yellow. Her shadow was reacting too, morphing from human to wolf, back and forth in the neon television light.

“Korra,” Opal breathed, perking up. Her eyes, normally green as grass, were grey, pupils dark points in the center. “What happened?”

“Do you know where those double-walled trash bags are Ginger?” Korra asked.

Ginger nodded, twirling her dyed locks around her fingers rapidly. “Yeah, yeah, under the sink.”

“Good. I need you to help me bag up two bodies,” Korra said.

“Bodies?” Opal whispered. “Is someone… dead?” Korra simply nodded. “Oh… Oh God,” Opal said, covering her mouth with a shaking hand. She jolted off the couch, sprinting towards the bathroom. Sounds of her retching echoed back into the living room, prompting Ty Lee to take off towards the kitchen for Alka-Seltzer and a tall glass of water.

“We have to hurry, Korra,” Katara stated. “We don’t want to invite ill to our doorstep.” Korra agreed: she wanted none of Asami Sato’s bad mojo, nonetheless in their home.

“Get them into the bags and help Opal. I’ll get the van ready.” Katara nodded.

It was going to be a long night indeed.

It was dawn by the time the pack arrived at the beach.

They had settled into a forlorn area, a sandy knoll that no one frequented due to the unnaturally cold sand and the constantly feeling of being watched. Yet the wolves had no problem: the odd ambience of the spot was simply due to an odd amount of spiritual energy in the air. It didn’t bother them one bit, hence their presence now.

“I don’t have their names, but we can still do the right thing,” Katara stated. “It’s the intent, not the motions of the ritual, that matter.” The others nodded.

“Do what you know is right, Delta,” Korra said, stepping. She inclined her head, giving the lead to Katara.

“Alright then. Circle up,” she ordered. They formed a wide circle around her, the sound of waves lapping at the beach covering up the crunching of the sand. “Hands.” Everyone took one another’s hands, forming an unbroken ring.

“Eternal Mother, I call on you. Let me be a conduit for your spirits. Allow me access to Paradiso, where your hands have worked to craft a haven for all humans to go.” The wolves closed their eyes, chanting softly, voices forming into the same crests and falls at the churning sea.

Katara’s head lolled back, energy flowing through her. The bodies in the bag shifted, and suddenly, the plastic tore, revealing mounds of ashes. Moon pale spirits rose from the piles and they swirled around Katara. “Where are we?” one asked. He looked male: long, greasy looking hair and wide features.

“You,” Katara began, voice sad, “are deceased.”

“The vampires they… they killed us,” he said, eyes widening. “They broke my neck so I couldn’t save Sufei…” He paused. “Where is Sufei?” The spirit spun around, anxious. “Sufei!”

“Wei!” The other spirit shifted, reaching towards him. “Wei, I’m here! They… They killed me too. Made me watch you die too.” She extended her hand towards the male spirit and tugged, bringing herself closer as she turned her gaze to Katara. “Who are you?”

“My name is Katara. I come seeking only to help you.”

“Help us?” Wei asked. “How can we trust you? Are you like… them?”

“No,” Katara whispered. “We’re not like them at all. All we want is your peace.” That seemed to satisfy Wei, enough that he swam towards Katara, streaking blue, ethereal light around her in looping swirls.

“Is there another place for us?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Peaceful?” Sufei asked.

Katara extended her hand towards them, nodding. “There will be peace where you go. I promise.”

Wei and Sufei smiled, pale grins that had a ripple effect. Suddenly, their entire forms were more vivid, color filling in Wei’s bronze skin and Sufei’s red lips. “Thank you, Katara. I feel full again, just like yesterday,” Sufei whispered. Wei nodded, placing a hand on her stomach as he lay his forehead against hers.

Katara smiled, and light exploded through her mouth. Energy, tangible and vivid, the blue of Raava’s spirit form, coursing through her. “Goodbye, Katara,” Sufei called as the light carried them away from the world.

Suddenly, Katara pitched to the left. Sokka yanked his hands free, jumping forward with his arms spread. He caught her, sweeping his arms around his sister. “Katara,” he whispered, cradling her gently. She closed her eyes and wept.

“We have to do something!” Mai slammed her fan down on the tabletop, long legs tucked beneath her as on the pile of lavish cushions. Rarely was Mai incised: her cool, calm demeanor was gone now though, replaced with vivid anger.

“Like what?” Bolin asked. “If they got Asami, think of what they’ll do to us!” He snorted, waving his hands around. “Asami’s a Maker: we’re nothing but kindred!”

“Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays,” Kuvira stated, smirking. “Sun Tzu, The Art of War.” That only made Mai more enraged.

Across the room Zhu Li crossed her legs, fiddling with a tassel. “Kuvira makes a point, Mai. Strong we may be, stronger is our enemy, and if we rush in, we’ll just get staked.” She nodded, sighing softly.

Ahem. The room fell quiet as Asami entered. Her arm had stopped bleeding: instead, new stitches were there, slick and shiny. She hadn’t even bothered to change her ripped shirt. “I see that you’ve already begun the discussion.” She crossed the room, circling around until she was at the head of the table. She relaxed onto her own piled of cushions, right before a still warm glass of blood, circa 1666.

“Ah,” Asami said, taking a long sip. “Tastes like fear.” She swirled it around and drained the cup, color coming into her face and cheeks. “More, thank you.” She didn’t see who, but she though that it was Azula rushing from the room to warm the rest of the bottle.

When her cup was full again, the warm bottle resting nearby, Asami Sato spoke once more, breaking a tense silence. “I have a dream,” Asami began. “And it begins with the fall of Republic Cities protectors.” She took a sip and licked her lips. “We have resided her for nearly two centuries, helping the city flourish and grow. We saw this city for as a collection of huts, and now look at it: it’s grand and a burgeoning metropolis. Yet our additions, our helping hands, have always been ignored and we,” she paused dramatically, taking a long swig of blood, “subjugated.”

“The time is now, kindred. I will not sit by and let Lunar Blood claim this city is for them. Many other supernatural kin reside here: specters, demons, the fae, witches, and, of course, us. This city needs more than just them, and I believe that we are the ones to start change.”

“Milady, if I may speak?” Mai asked. Asami nodded, so Mai continued. “We have… fears. As kindred, we know that our strength is but a fraction of yours. If Lunar Blood’s pack leader was able to disarm-” She paused. Azula was snickering, but as soon as Asami shot her a glare, it quieted. “If she was able to injure you, how will we prepare?

“To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” More Sun Tzu, courtesy of Kuvira. “If we’re smart, those wolves will be so broken that it’ll take little to actually get rid of them.”

Asami nodded, smiling. “Simple: we won’t be the only fighters. There are ten more vampires we can call upon. With Noxs’ magic skills, Solaris’ connections to Sole Hope and Purebloods’ endless funds, we can practically roil the city in an instant.” She tossed her long hair over her shoulder.

“What are you suggesting?” P’Li asked, dropping her voice.

“I’m suggesting we take down Lunar Blood once and for all.” Asami leaned forward, eyes bright. “I’m saying we take over the city.”

The weeks passed by with an uneasy silence after Katara sent the spirits off.

The Pack had amped up patrols, despite Asami Sato’s warning, constantly scanning the city for bodies and unrest. It was exhausting Korra: she spent more time awake than at rest, leaving her sclera red and glassy.

“Mako’s healing well,” Katara offered one evening, two and a half weeks after his injuries. She’d met Korra on the rooftop, where she sat, pondering in the silence of the end of the day. “It looks like it’ll be before the full moon. I’d say at the end of this week.

“Good,” Korra said, offering a wan smile. “I’m glad.”

“I can make you something to help you sleep. It’ll be dreamless,” Katara said. “And deep.”

The idea sounded tantalizing. Korra longed for a moment’s rest, for dreams that didn’t leave the tang of blood in her mouth. “No, it’s fine. I’ll rest soon enough.”

“Well, if that’s your decision, then I think you should go chat with Mako. He’s been asking about you all day. Now that he can sit up, he’s got it in his mind he can be active.” Katara chuckled.

“Ah, I’ll go back inside then,” Korra said, scooting off the edge of the roof. She dropped, swinging into her bedroom window and tumbling across the bed. Katara followed, stealthily rolling to a stop.

“I’ll make that draught, just in case,” Katara said, watching Korra turn into the hall. A faint call of ‘Leave it on the dresser’ echoed back.

Downstairs, Mako had moved to the living room. He was proud, despite the sheen of sweat on his forehead: he had moved on his own, without even having to hobble. “Hey.” He turned: Korra had plopped onto the couch, tucking her legs up against her chest. “How are you?”

“Better,” Mako answered honestly. “I feel stronger. Plus, I can finally keep down Ginger’s cooking.”

Korra chuckled, remembering his sad expression at throwing up the tangy porkchops Ginger had made. “I’m glad. Wasn’t that rabbit saddle delicious?”

“Yeah, it was good,” he answered. “Look… I know there’s something you’re not telling me, Alpha.”

Korra looked down in her lap. “I… Asami’s declared war on the city. On us.” Korra blinked back the burning tears. “She hasn’t killed again, but… Mako, she will. You and I both know Asami Sato’s history. My father and your mother work side by side against her. She’s been a ticking time bomb.

“How wonderful for her to wait until us to explode,” he deadpanned. “So, what’s the plan boss?”

“Oh stop that and call me Korra,” she chided. He winced when she poked him, instantly making her feel bad. “We’re going to go to The Council. I wanted to wait until you were better.”

“Good, I’m all better.” For added emphasis, Mako flexed a muscle, but he winced, slumping back against the couch and rubbing his bicep. “Okay, enough to meet with The Council.”

Korra chewed her lip. “Honestly, I’d love to put it off more, but I don’t think we can any longer. I have a sinking feeling that if we do, there won’t be a Republic City to protect.”

The Council.

It was a coalition of beasts of all kinds: a werewolf, a vampire, a specter, a faery, a witch, and a demon. Those six entities moderated the supernatural in Republic City, be it sanctioning territories, mending sacred grounds, or holding ceremonies. They were the authority of the monsters in the Night, and their mouthpiece in the Day.

They were housed in a giant glass and stone structure that sat in the downtown business district, looming over banks and office buildings. It too had offices: wings for Supernatural-Human Relations, offices for Supernatural court cases, clerks, and of course, Sole Hope’s HQs. Most important was The Atrium, the official office of The Council. Six seats, each crafted from materials representative of their race. Like the building, they loomed over the patrons visiting.

And now Korra and the rest of Lunar Blood were before them, hunched over in low bows, holding themselves prostrate until ordered otherwise.

“Get up, Korra,” a voice boomed. Korra rose to her feet, lifting her gaze. A man with skin the same toffee tone as Korra’s was approaching her, his hair pulled back into a bushy wolf tail that ran down to the nape of his neck.

“Father!” Korra launched herself forward, sighing as warm, bulky arms enveloped her.

“Dearest ulva,” Tonraq replied. “How’s my little wolf doing?”

“I’m well. I miss you so much,” she whispered, leaning back. They touched their noses to one another in greeting, and Korra giggled, features light only for a moment. “I… we need your help though.”

“I was afraid of that,” Tonraq stated. “The Council has caught wind of your run-ins with Asami Sato’s hive.” Korra nodded, taking a step back. She still held her father’s hands in hers, needing him to stabilize her, ground her in reality.

“Will you help us?” she whispered, desperate.

“Of course, my daughter. I will not forsake you. Come. We will retire to a more comfortable place.”

The place chosen was a very out of place living room, one of the expansive lofts housed underneath the massive building. The pack settled in, spread around the room, still stiff and reserved. “Tenzin should be joining us soon with the others. I believe they wanted to get you all some comfort food.”

Sure enough, the scent of fried food hit Korra, making her mouth water. “Ah, Korra!” a man said, pushing a cart through the open door. He had a pointed beard, bald head, and eyes that looked like garnets. “How pleasant to see you!”

“Uncle!” she said, rising up to help him. They shifted the cart near the living room, for easier access. “I’ll get plates!”

“Wow,” Kai whispered, turning to Sokka. “Who knew that Alpha had so many connections?”

Sokka chuckled. “Me and Katara already knew. He trained us back home, you know. Don’t worry though,” he leaned closer, smirking. “Tonraq’s a softy.”

“I heard that, young man,” Tonraq said, looming over Sokka. He smiled and punched Sokka playfully and the two men embraced, laughing. “Nice to see you again. Ah, and you, Katara,” Tonraq said, embracing her. “You both look fine.”

Soon, the pack was munching on all manner of fried foods: greasy shrimp tempura, crunching chicken drumsticks, fluffy potato croquettes with cheese and bacon bits inside. The sounds of their smacking lips eased the tension.

“While your eating, allow me to introduce the rest of the council,” Tenzin said, crossing his legs. His plate remained empty in front of him. “My name is Tenzin Lama. I am our Vampire representative. This, as you may already know, is Tonraq Johnson, our Werewolf representative.”

Looking over his shoulder, Tenzin waved. A think woman with honey kissed skin walked in, long grey hair cut into a fluffy bob her face.that formed a constantly shifting halo around . She had smiling green eyes and looked like a modern hippie: long, sweeping skirt, beads clattering at her neck, and moccasins. “This is Suyin Beifong, our Witch representative.”

“Beifong?” Ty Lee asked. “That’s Opal’s last name!”

Suyin nodded, voice cheerful. “Yes. I hail from a Beifong line that lost their abilities as wolves and gained the ability to magic. We’re slightly less long-lived, but just as powerful.”

Another form appeared behind Suyin: a male with nut brown hair that poofed out from beneath a cap. His eyes were the most disarming: black sclera surrounding yellow irises. “This is Skoochy. He is our Demon representative.”

“Charmed,” Skoochy purred, flicking his tongue out at the pack. Opal and Ginger squeaked loudly, jerking back whereas Ty Lee smiled, wiggling her fingers at him in a flirty wave. Chuckling, he settled onto a barstool, kicking his legs slowly.

Above, legs shot through the ceiling, kicking vicious. “Ah, there she is,” Tenzin said, pointing. “Meet Yangchen. It should be easy to detect whom she represents.”

“Is she… stuck?” Mako asked, looking up.

“It’s best to let her work through this,” Tenzin replied.

Sure enough, moments later, Yangchen fell through the ceiling, landing inches above the ground. “Goodness, forgive me. I got… stuck.” She floated up, dusting off her clothes: long, diluted orange robes that made her look sagely. She had long hair, down to her hips, but the front was shaved, revealing a creamy, tanned forehead with a myriad of ceremonial tattoos. “Yue will be here soon.”

“Yue?” Sokka sked. “Is she the final member?”

“Yes,” Tenzin replied.

A woman swept into the room, brown skin the same color of butterscotch candy. She looked otherworldly: long, floating snow white hair, eyes the color of pure ice, lips shaped like a bow. Even her clothing -a simple navy sweater, silver bracelets and earrings, white boots, and a pair of black leggings- looked magical on her. “Hello there,” she chimed, smiling. “My name is Yue. I’m the Fae representative.”

“Plus a Seer and Queen of the Winter Court,” Suyin added. “We’re lucky for such a prize.”

“Ascendant Princess,” Yue corrected, with a raised finger. “But mostly a seer.”

Tenzin nodded curtly, uncrossing and then recrossing his legs. “So, as we all know, the situation with vampire Asami Sato has turned… grave.” He turned to Tonraq.

“Korra, would you mind explaining your recent run-ins with her?” he asked, voice calm. Korra nodded.

Over the course of the next fifteen minutes, Korra recounted the past few weeks, starting with Mako’s injuries. She continued in a steady stream of consciousness up until the tale end of her fight with Asami.

“You ripped off her arm?” Suyin whispered, eyes huge. Her hands were shaking in her lap.

“Yeah. It was… an accident,” Korra said, finally feeling a bit ashamed.

“It was marvelous,” Skoochy said, smiling. “At least you disabled her.”

Korra picked up with her patrols and what she’d seen: glimpses of Asami’s stone cold vampiresses, creeping around Republic City hissing at her and trying their best to antagonize them away from doing their duty. Fortunately, little physical damage was done to humans: Asami’s crew had opted to leave them in bilious stupors. Korra had, more than once, encountered citizens with holes in their neck, tiny purple and red circles fading into soon to be bruises. All of this culminated to now, with one key story left out: the bodies of Wei and Sufei.

Korra didn’t want to think about them: she could still smell them, still taste the tang of char in her mouth. It made her panic, made her palms sticky too. But she couldn’t avoid it. “There’s the matter of the… murders.”

“Murders?” Tonraq asked.

“Yeah. She… She drained two humans and…” Korra paused. Her stomach was gurgling, and she felt she might be sick. Fortunately, Katara interjected, finishing from her point of view.

The end of the story left the room in silence. Korra stomach was still uneasy, but it faded, each breath relaxing her a bit more. Mako patted her hand, and she let her body slump back against the couch.

“This is more than grave, Tenzin,” Yue whispered. “They’re murderers. Surely Nox, Pureblood, and Solaris know of these acts? Surely Sole Hope does?”

Tenzin nodded no. “Until now, I believe only Lunar Blood knew of this. Correct?” Korra nodded slowly.

“Did you lay them to rest?” Suyin asked.

“Yes, Katara whispered. “The night that it happened. I sent to Paradiso, spirits be with them. It was… the best I could do.” Katara jolted to her feet, running out of the room. Suyin followed, moccasins padding on the floor. Minutes later, she and Katara reentered, taking the same places in the room.

“We should strike while the iron is hot!” Yangchen interjected, brow knitted together. “I see no need for decorum: it’s clear that she has none for anyone else!”

“Peace, Yangchen,” Tenzin commanded. “Violence is not the immediate way, nor a way at all!”

“Neither is peace!” she responded, voice tight.

Suyin shook her head. “

Skoochy shifted, crossing his arms, the barstool he sat on balanced on one leg. “We could always turn to… alternative means. Lock down their abilities for a while.” Tenzin nodded. “At worst stake them at leg and wrist and let them bleed into stasis.” He licked his lips, impish eyes somehow growing more unnerving. “It’s cruel, but enough of a wakeup call if we keep her that way for a while.”

Yangchen nodded enthusiastically, eyes bright. “I agree.”

“That’s abhorrent though!” Suyin exclaimed. “They may be cruel, but violence doesn’t beget violence! Or… o-or it shouldn’t!” She sputtered.

“They didn’t show those two humans mercy, Suyin. Why should we?” Yangchen hissed. Behind her, Skoochy bobbed his head.

Ahem. All heads turned to Yue. “I… I believe I may be able to help you all.”

Tonraq quirked an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t mind trying to see for them?

“Not at all. If I can be of aid, I want to be.” Yue smiled. “I will do my best to see for you. A moment?”

Yue’s closed her eyes and begin to hum. She altered the pitch until it was a low thrum, and let her shoulders go slack. Slowly, color filled her hair: hues of the rainbow, swirling together until ink black color swirled in, obscuring them. She raised her hands and suddenly, her mouth fell open, black light pouring out in a thick, wavering

“They will come to an impasse. Raava and Vaatu’s awesome might will rend apart the night. Old as time spirits shall battle, sea quake and earth rattle. Fang to fang and claw to maw, nine against nine, mind to paw. ” Yue’s hand shifted, pointing to Korra. “You will lead the path to light, tooth and nail under your might. But if you do not save the day, night will rule, your life you will pay.” Yue slumped over, breathless. Black spit dribbled down her chin, and Yangchen swirled around her, wrapping her in a ghostly embrace.

“There are dark times ahead, Korra Johnson,” Yue whispered. “Dark indeed.”

Suyin’s face paled. “Can you try and see more? Try and see what we can do?”

“Yes. Give me a… moment.” Yue exhaled and closed her eyes again, body going slack once more. Yet after a few minutes of silence, her screams pierced the air, setting everyone on edge. She convulsed and fell forward, white hair tangling around in knots. “Spirits,” she panted. “Nothing.”

“What did you see?” Korra asked, scared.

“Nothing,” she whispered.

“Surely you saw something though,” Korra pressed.

“You don’t understand,” Yue responded. “I saw nothing, as in nothing at all.”

Korra’s stomach dropped and she suddenly felt very, very hopeless.



