Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra.
A/N: So this takes place a few days after The Spirit Of Competition and let me start by saying I am taking a different turn on things just a twist of what I think could have happened if Amon was a bit eviler.
While there will be some main dialogue and scenes from the episode 'And the winner is…'(and of course all that I do use is not mine I am just using it to fit into what I have thought of) but it will also have some twists and hopefully it turns out good and I'd like to take things in kind of a darker view because this is some heavy stuff Korra is dealing with being seventeen and having a bigger threat hanging over her head then Aang did, you know?
Not, too dark that it becomes depressing but stuff that could be happening with Korra and how she's dealing with things. But hopefully if you guys like it I will add more chapters not a lot but a few and it WILL have some eventual MAKORRA forewarning. And I hope I stay true to the characters but of course something's have to be a bit off because you can't have cussing on nickelodeon but I can see Mako cussing if he gets really mad. And feel free to let me know if anything's wrong I will be sure to fix it! Or if it's all bad I'll take it down.
Alone.
It's been three days.
I've dedicated myself to focusing my attention on my main and most powerful element.
Water.
It's what I am and what I've come to love the most about bending. It brings healing and life. It doesn't burn like fire. It isn't as complicated as earth. Most importantly it's much easier to learn than air.
Water is everywhere and I know that I can't hurt anybody with it, because I am always in control of it. It's come to be my strongest element and I feel warmth in it.
Because, as long as I have my Waterbending, I will know who I am, and I will never be alone.
I am brought out of my thoughts as the radio fades in from the distance and I am hearing something or another about Republic City or Satomobiles.
Gah.
Who even cares?
I don't for one it's far easier to be able to bend whatever I can and use that as my transportation, it's easier and free.
Then again that can be completely biased since I am a bender.
I bend some water and swirl it around in a circle and then swish it forward at a picture of that arrogant Tahno.
"Yes, Wha hoo." I make a fist pump into the air and then make my way over to grab my hand towel.
"Man I got a good feeling about tonight, I don't care if we are the underdogs we can take those pompous Wolf Bats"
I look toward Mako and Bolin just as Mako is taking off his helmet he replies.
"It's going to be our toughest match ever, but I think you're right"
"Introducing your new champs the fantastic Fire Ferrets!" Screams Bolin as he puts much emphasis on the r's.
"Yah, were going to show them they messed with the wrong benders." I made a slight smile at them and then started to get my things together. There was a long, and in my opinion, awkward silence before Bolin spoke up.
"Well, I'm going to head upstairs to take a shower now."
Out of the corner of my eye I see him slowly make his way out all the while make some gestures at Mako.
I quickly try to remove my gear off of me. It's not that I don't mind being in the same room with Mako. It's just now were alone and the last two times that's happened things haven't been the greatest, and I have a feeling whatever Mako is going to say isn't what I want to hear right now.
I don't want or need him to it's in the past and things are fine, really, I don't even want to think about our kiss nor do I want to talk about it with Mako. Bolin hasn't said a word and he's managed to not bring it up and move on. Were friends and he understands this. So why can't Mako?
I just want to concentrate on my water bending. But it doesn't seem likely because as I am trying to shove everything in my bag as quickly as I can Mako speaks up.
"Korra."
I don't reply back hoping he just lets this drop and lets me leave.
"Korra, I-we need to talk."
Damn. I just can't catch a break.
"No, Mako we don't."
"Yes, we do look I know things haven't been the greatest between you and I ever since the-well you know, but I'm glad you and my brother are friends and have gotten past that, it would have sucked to lose another water bender."
"Yah, well Bolin understands that I don't like him like that and were just friends he's a great guy but he's not meant for me."
"I know and I want to apologize for what I-
"No- just save it, I don't want to hear it, let's just be teammates ok?"
Then hopefully to change the subject I tried to bring up something I knew would tick Mako off the most.
"We need to focus on winning the match; there are still some things you need to work on if we're going to win."
"No, Korra we need to talk about this and I have to tell you- wait some thing's I need to work on? What the hell, I don't need to work on anything."
"Yes, you do."
"Oh yah like what?"
"Well for starters you're too slow and cautious and while I pride you on your preciseness you need to step it up a notch and be quicker more agile. I saw many spots where an opponent could knock you off your feet."
"I don't need your advice I am a great Firebender and I go at a pace that lets me be in control, you may be the Avatar but that doesn't give you the right to criticize others on how their bending isn't like yours. Especially since you haven't even mastered air yet, yah Avatar my–
"Excuse me?" I gave him an incredulous look as I threw my bag down on the floor and made my way over to him.
I can't believe he had the nerve to say something like that albeit I did start this but he was taking it too far.
"That's all you've been doing lately, and don't deny that you weren't thrilled to hear you were the almighty Avatar able to bend all four elements, able to be trained by the best benders well good for you, but you need to learn how to slow down and actually control your bending or else it's going to be your downfall and as for my bending just back off ok?
"I go that slowly so I can change its path if need be and in doing so I can spot when my opponents' next move is! Unlike some who are too impatient and focused on just finishing them off without a fight."
"That's freaking fantastic for you then, and yah I have been trained by the best and I've also picked up on a few things of my own and one of those things was to push my myself and go faster because while you've been safe in your home or wherever the hell you were when you were young, you were probably training to just learn and master firebending, but I on the other hand have been training to survive! To bend all the elements as a way to help protect me when a potential threat arises, so yah I'd rather be impatient than slow and let my opponent get the upper hand and have it result in my death." I spat back at him.
This really just put me in a bad mood, as I turned on my heel and made my way back to my bag I had thrown down, some articles of clothing spilled out, I crouched down to push it all back in.
I heard him let out a breath of air behind me and take a step toward me and then stop.
"Look Korra- I'm sorry I didn't want to start a fight with you I just wanted to say that I was sorry because you and I kissing wasn't fair, and I've broken things off with Asami, I just need to focus on my bending and winning this match for right now ok?"
I didn't answer him, as I stood up and made my way to the door not once looking back at him, before I could even make it through the threshold there was static and HIS voice came on the radio.
I froze in place and my eyes went wide in horror.
"Good Morning citizens of Republic City this is Amon I hope you all enjoyed last night's pro-bending match, because it will be the last, it's time for this city to stop worshiping bending athletes as if they were heroes I am calling on the council to shut down the bending arena, and cancel the finals or else there will be severe consequences."
"They can't do this Korra we need to-
I didn't hear what else he had to say at that moment I ran full speed out of there and to the council.
"This is so cool! I can't wait to see you play Korra!"
"Yah, yah I can't wait to see your super awesome Avatar skills in action! This is gonna be so cool! Those Wolf Bats won't know what's coming and they'll be sorry they ever went up against the AVA-
"Alright that's enough now how about we-
"Avatar!" Meelo finished off as he jumped into the air and slowly came back down.
"Ok, ok yes Korra is going to do her best today but she can't start till we take our seats so c'mon let's go kids." Pema said as she ushered the three rambunctious kids up the stairs and into the arena to find their seats, but not before they each said their goodbyes and good lucks.
"Thanks you guys I promise to give you all a good show!" I laughed and waved till I couldn't see them anymore, then I turned my attention to Tenzin.
"Now, Korra I know you are doing well and I wish you all the best of luck but try and be on your guard tonight." I had to strain to hear what he said next. "I have a feeling something's not right."
He looked left and right trying not to catch any unwanted attention from those that were entering the arena.
I looked up at him with a serious expression. "How so? I mean nothing should happen right, Chief Beifong has the whole place searched and patrolled."
"Yes, but even so there hasn't been any real action from Amon other than his announcement the other morning and I know if he wants to make a big show this would be the time."
"You don't think he's going to-" my sentence was cut off as a couple of photographers came up to take a picture of me and my Airbending master.
As we were smiling Tenzin came a bit closer to my ear and talked through his teeth.
"I think this is just what he's been waiting for."
"Oh no, and the Avatar takes a blow off the arena!"
"Dammit." I mutter under my breath as I swim to the platform and heave myself up onto it, I take off my helmet and shake out the water from my hair.
I look to see how my teammates are doing and they have already made it down to one member of the Wolf Bats…Tahno.
I'll admit Tahno has been giving it his all, which is more than I can say for myself I've been fighting terribly and this isn't even my second time being caught off guard and being thrown off the platform… not even my third.
I just can't seem to focus ever since Tenzin had to bring up Amon it's just got me thinking that if he does something it could endanger everyone, even those I love. I tried my hardest to tell Tenzin to take himself and his family home but he would have none of it and said he'd be better off here to help me.
"Following Korra is the Earthbender Bolin he sure did put up a good fight though, considering those Wolf Bats are playing dirty with some illegal moves, but dare I say better than our little Avatar I bet this is all a ploy saving her best material for last, but if that's so then she better use it now because any more falls from her it could cost the team."
"Oh, shut up." I said under my breath as Bolin makes to grab Pabu and then came to join me on the bench in our little room to watch as Mako is left fighting Tahno.
"Hey, Korra."
I nodded my head in acknowledgment not daring to look at him I know what his face would show and I didn't need that right now, I just need to focus on winning this game, and of course figure out multiple strategies in case Amon shows up and destroys everything in a blink of an eye and oh yah take away my bending.
"Korra, is everything ok?"
"Yah, fine" I said uneasily as I bounced my leg up and down.
"Hm, well it's just you haven't been playing well… this isn't like you, I'm here if you ever need to talk."
So, at this point I was plain aggravated at myself, and what came next really set me over the edge.
"There goes Tahno right off the platform, Mako making a win for his team, I bet they must be so proud to have such an excellent fire bender, maybe he should be teaching the Avatar a thing or two don't you?"
I was seething and all I could do was stand up and yell at Bolin.
"Thanks, but no thanks I don't need to talk to anybody and excuse me if my bending isn't up to par as you would like, ok! I'm sorry I'm trying my best here and I want to win this just as much as you do, I will, I promise I may not be right now as good as your precious Firebending brother but I can do this! I just need a minute to myself or is that too much to ask for!"
"Korra?"
"Korra!"
I heard both of their voices as I ran out the door to the outside I just needed air. Fresh air.
I close my eyes and tried to take deep breaths in and out.
Then I tried to focus on something, anything really, to try and calm my nerves and my thoughts.
Everything was just becoming so jumbled and I was starting to lose control, I can't I'm the Avatar the single person who is to keep peace and balance – scratch that that's too much to think about right now, I'm just Korra an excellent water bender and I am going to win this tournament.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
"Ok, I think I'm ready." I said as I made my way back into the arena the boys had already gotten onto the platform and were just standing there waiting for me to start the game back up again.
Well can't keep them waiting for much longer.
I put on my helmet and joined them, not once did they look at me.
I don't blame them either, I did snap at them and I made a mental note for later to really do something extravagant to show how sorry I was.
These Wolf Bats aren't playing fair and of course the referee decides not to call them out on it.
So far it's two wins for them and one for us the next round is a toss to see who goes and I decide to go toe-to-toe with pretty boy.
Of course I easily knock him out when he least expects it, which I'm sure he's pissed about but bring it on I'm ready to go. What I didn't expect was a blow of water at me and my teammates filled with the earth plates.
Luckily, I don't make it off and am surged by rage and I make quick work to throw some water at them. One I catch by surprise and he immediately falls off, the next one was hard but eventually I got him.
Then it was just me and Tahno.
Just as I am making my next move though out of the corner of my eye catches the light of an electricity spark.
That's where Chief Beifong and Tenzin are
I see more sparks but before I can realize the full extent to what's going on I am bombarded with water and go flying off the edge of the platform.
"Dammit!" I scream and swim my way past Bolin and Mako who have noticed the sparks.
"Korra what's-
He didn't get finish his sentence as a man covered in head to toe of black uniform jumps down onto the floor below the platform blocking my path to get on.
He's got sparking sticks in his hands, I try to do something, anything but I know it's futile I'm trapped and suddenly there's pain shooting up in body and I go limp my eyes close but I can still faintly hear what's going on around me.
I can feel the slight movement of water flowing as I am being pulled through the water and onto the floor of the bottom of the platform, I see one of those men taking my hand and pulling me along the floor and then I can't keep my eyes open any longer.
I see Aang and Toph.
A man.
And Aang again fighting the man in his Avatar state, it's strange, I don't know what to make of it.
After which I try to open my eyes and see Mako and Bolin being tied up, I am trying to think if they are being tied up I will be too, it can be easy to get out but instead I am being lifted up and carried to the top of the platform where Amon waits for me.
I am thrown down in front of him but I can't move, and it wouldn't matter anyways because my feet and hands are tied up.
"Hello Korra"
His voice has a hint of humor in it and it makes me want to vomit.
I try to lift my head up to look around for Tenzin and Chief Beifong but I don't see them anywhere.
I'm all alone and I can't help but feel that fear again like I did that night after facing Amon at Aang Memorial Island.
"So glad to hear you've spent all your time practicing to make it to the finals Avatar, just goes to show how hard work does pay off too bad you won't be able to continue."
I can't breathe.
I was trying to spend all that time to shake away my fears of him.
Thankfully he doesn't linger on me and turns to face the crowd.
"I believe I have your attention, benders of Republic City, so once again the Wolf Bats are your pro-bending champions it seems fitting that you celebrate three bullies who cheated their way to victory, because every day you threaten and abuse your fellow non-bending citizens just like the Wolf Bats did to their opponents tonight…
"Those men were supposedly best in the bending world and yet it only took a few moments for me to cleanse them of their impurity. Let this be a warning to all of you benders out there if any of you stand in my way you will meet the same fate. Now, to my followers, for years the equalists have been forced to hide in the shadows but now, we have the numbers and the strength to create a new Republic City.
"I am happy to tell you that the time for change has finally come, very soon the current tyrannical bending regime will be replaced by a fair minded equalists government you and your children will no longer walk the streets afraid. It's time to change back our city. For centuries benders have possessed an unnatural advantage over ordinary people but thankfully modern technology has provided us with a way to even out the playing field, now anyone can hold the power of a Chi blocker in their hand.
"My followers and I will not rest until the entire city achieves equality, and once that goal is achieved we will equalize the rest of the world. The revolution has begun!"
He walks closer to me and lifts up my head by my ponytail.
"And as for you Korra I've saved the best news for last, while you've been preoccupied with putting your responsibilities to master airbending on hold by focusing on your pro-bending, I myself have been busy…Would you like to know Korra? Let me start by saying that to show we have the number and the strength I and my followers have successfully taken over the Southern Water Tribe… No more waterbenders reside in the South Pole. Everyone you know is gone."
NO.
This can't be happening.
He lets go of my hair then takes out a knife and lets me loose of my restraints I try to sit up but then come ropes crashing through the ceiling and I cover my head as to block my eyes from getting hit by falling debris.
He and his team walk over to the ropes and hold on as they are lifted into the air
"So long for now Korra we shall meet again…"
He's gone from sight and I could go after him but my body is frozen... I can't feel anything.
I really can't breathe now and all I can do is slump forward my hands splayed out on the floor in front of me as I try to gasp in and out breathes of air.
My Mother.
My Father.
My Grandparents.
My Friends.
My Neighbors.
Katara.
All that was my home.
It's all gone.
I feel a tear make its way down my cheek but I don't pay it any mind instead I feel this sensation of coolness come over me and my name being called in the distance.
But all I can focus on is the light surrounding me and water swirling encompassing me in a bubble as I'm lifted off the ground and suddenly all I can focus on is the anger.
Anger that has been brought out by the man who singlehandedly ruined everything I love – or loved – and anger at myself for letting this happen.
My vision of the arena has vanished and in its place I see white all around me, I get this feeling as if I stay like this then it will quench my need for revenge, I am fueled by my anger to suddenly retrieve more of my true bending nature, water.
Anywhere I can I need it, I use as much of my strength as I can to rip and tear through anything and everything to retrieve it and then I hear it…
It's soft but I hear it continuously screaming out my name it's Jinora and Ikki and Meelo.
"Korra! Korra! Korra!"
Why are they screaming?
I want to help them there just kids, who is hurting them?
Then come more screams of my name simultaneously from Tenzin, Pema, Bolin and…Mako.
"KORRA!"
I want to stay like this and have this feeling of knowing I can protect, and defeat. This is the strength and will I have been searching for it is what I want, But I also must help those that I love that are in trouble for some strange reason, they are here and I know I can help them…
And I do, I let my body relax and am falling down to the ground I hit the floor of the stadium hard but I make an effort to pull up my upper half of my body to look around me…
Except I wish the fall had knocked me unconscious this is not what I had wanted to see.
All around me there is destruction, the whole arena is dripping water and in some places the walls have fallen down. Chief BeiFong and her team are scrambling to either make sure others that are moaning in anguish over there injuries are ok to get up and run to safety or some people are just getting up and rushing to the exit.
I spot Tenzin and his family in the distance with Ikki sputtering out water, and Jinora holding on to her arm. Next I look over to the opening where my teammates were and I see Mako is fine with the exception of blood running down from his nose and is helping Bolin who is awake but is breathing heavily…
I quickly search around to see most of the people have their noses bleeding and are holding their heads with one hand and the other their sides.
I did this
I don't even know what to do.
I don't want to think about this so I do what I would have normally never done before but seems to be my only option I have that would make me feel better and everyone else of Republic City.
I run away.
I keep my head up and try to hold back the tears.
Not once do I look back, because if I do it will finally sink in that I did this. The one thing that I had complete control in, felt the most at home with, I have lost it completely and with it has caused the most destruction I could have never imagined.
It takes me awhile to get out of the arena and then I'm running like any other regular person, I don't know where to go but I will keep running until I collapse, because I don't want to be near any body of water, I can't bring myself to go to Aang Memorial Island or Air Temple Island.
I don't want to think about what's happened and I definitely don't want to bend anything anymore.
Especially water.
I don't want to be the Avatar anymore.
So, hope you liked it and I've looked back and made changes to how names are spelled and I know Airbending, Earthbending, etc. are one words but I didn't really see if the first letter is capitolized so I just decided to let it be it looks better in my opinion, and I've changed Amon's speech from what I had before I just think it is much better now maybe?