LPL: The Dark Lord

Team Avatar pushed open the doors, and entered Cthonos's chamber. As soon as they entered, the doors shut behind them. Across the room from them stood a large, black and red demon… Cthonos himself. 

Now that they were actually standing before him, he didn't seem quite as terrifying, possibly since they now had a face to put to his voice. Truthfully, he was much bigger than them. The red color of his body was stained to a darker shade, and the membrane of his wings was a dirty blackish-purple. He was looking right at them. In his eyes, buried deep beneath the malevolence and corruption, Korra could see pain and sorrow, just like what we'd seen in Kage's eyes while he was in his corrupted form.

"At long last," said Cthonos, his voice sounding dark and demonic. "My guests have arrived. Please.. come in." Cthonos stepped forward, and turned slightly to address us.

"Such determination to get here," continued Cthonos, "It seems we share other qualities besides that of our powers."

"No!" shouted Korra. “We’re nothing like you!"

“Do you think so?” smirked Cthonos, "Hmm.. we'll get to that.”

"Don't listen to him Korra," whispered Asami, "Don't listen to anything he says".

"You all look so weary," mused Cthonos, "Allow me to make you more comfortable."

Suddenly, the chains that Kage and Korra had around their wrists glowed purple and it disappeared.

"There. That's better, isn't it?" said Cthonos, "It's the least I could do for all of you, especially to you Kage. After all, you've done so much for me."

"You used him!" shouted Korra defensively.

"I used him. He used you," said Cthonos. "What does it matter, really?"

Mako turned towards Kage, looking puzzled. "Kage, what is he talking about?" he asked.

Kage didn't respond. Rather, he just stared at the ground regretfully.

"What? They don't know?" said Cthonos, laughing vilely, "Go on, tell them! You mustn't leave them in the dark.."

"T-Tell us what?" asked Fluttershy cautiously.

"How he lured you to the Well of Shade," said Cthonos, "how he tricked you into freeing me."

"You're lying!" replied Kage quickly.. almost too quickly.

"Hmm... I find it peculiar how you've chosen to remember things," said Cthonos deviously, "Let me assure you. It was you who freed me, Korra, and you who brought me back. And we have Kage to thank for that." Cthonos then broke into a sustained evil laugh.

"Kage?" said Fluttershy, sounding worried, "Is it true?" Kage didn’t respond. 

“Answer us!” Rainbow Dash ordered.

"No..! I don't know..," said Kage, nearly in tears, "I don't know anymore.."

"Oh, I think you do," said Cthonos, "But perhaps you need a little nudge..."

Cthonos's eyes suddenly blazed an eerie yellow color. Kage suddenly writhed as Cthonos's attack hit him. He was overtaken by a burst of dark power. He stood up again, transformed into his darker self.

"Kage!" shouted Korra, distraught.

"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Cthonos sinisterly.

Khaton glared towards his friends and started towards them.

The others tried to run over to help Korra, but discovered that Cthonos had caused the ground to encompass our feet, preventing us from moving.

"You shall not interfere!" shouted Cthonos.

They could do nothing but watch as Khaton began to attack Korra.

"Kage!" yelled Korra, panicked, "No!"

"The Princesses should have warned you," said Cthonos, "You are alone here, young warrior. You have ALWAYS been alone. Still, here you are trying so desperately to save this miserable universe.. refusing to accept the true role of the Avatars!"

Around this time, Khaton tackled Korra to the floor.

"I'm sure you've been told that I was the first of our kind, but I assure you, there have been many," continued Cthonos, "It has been the duty of our predecessors to resurrect the Destroyer... to bring about the Great Purge. This is the true nature of the Avatars. Your destiny is to destroy the world!" 

At this time, Khaton struck Korra again, this time sending her skidding across the floor. "No!" shouted Korra, pounding her fist against the floor, "I don't believe that!"

"Of course you don't," said Cthonos, "But you have fulfilled your destiny nonetheless. In my time, I was stopped.. prevented from completing my quest. But you.. you have carried the flame, be it through your own will or not. And soon, the world will be destroyed, you along with it!"

"No," said Korra, utterly distraught.

Khaton approached Korra once again, and knocked her to the floor once again. She then stared directly at him.

"Fight back!" shouted Khaton.

Korra didn't fight back. Instead she just stood there, blocking his attacks.

"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Cthonos sadistically.

Khaton continued his assault on Korra, and yet she didn't retaliate.

"Fight back!" shouted Khaton, "Why won't you fight back?!"

"Because you've left me nothing to fight for," said Korra, sounding like she'd lost every last shred of hope.

This final, heartfelt statement had done it: Khaton returned to Kage, the Dark Lord’s hold over him shattered.

"There's always something," said Kage hugging his counterpart. “I’m sorry...” He said, with tears falling.

“It’s okay.. I know it’s not your fault..” Korra said, comforting him.

This also distracted Cthonos from holding us down, they quickly moved to stand at Korra and Kage's side.

"Cthonos… Dark Lord… whatever name you go by now," said Mako. “It's one thing to destroy, but when my family and friends are involved, you’ve gone too far! We will not run from you! We will not let our spirits be broken by your lies!”

"We fight for our lands, for our people," said Nova, "for those they have left, and for those we've lost… their sacrifices shall not be in vain".

"We shall stop you Dark Lord," Twilight said, "they shall not fail. Your reign of terror ends today!"

Korra smiled at their presence, and Kage sniffled in response. His confidence was finally restored. Cthonos, however, wasn’t pleased.

"Argh! So be it!" growled Cthonos, "You've made your choice and so you shall suffer the same fate!" The chains reappeared around Kage and Korra’s wrists as the room started to rumble. 

Cthonos then spread his wings. "Prepare to die!!!" he roared. Cthonos then took to the skies, beckoning us to follow for the final battle.