Ha! I told you all I'd write this! I was actually already finished a week ago, but I realized that I should really put a bit of a prologue-y thing instead of just having super long Author's Notes at the beginning of each chapter. This is AU, obviously. Amon and Tarrlok disappeared into the wilderness seven years ago, and in the past two years they have suddenly returned, quickly gaining control of the city and much of the Earth Kingdom. Korra, Mako, Pema, and Tenzin were all killed fighting him, and many more people have disappeared, including Bolin and Chief Bei Fong. In Republic City the Resistance is growing, with benders and nonbenders alike defying Amon and Tarrlok's rule. In the garbage dump outside of the city, Skoochy and his gang dwell underground, fighting back in every way they can. So there you have it! Also, this is just a working title, and if anyone has a better idea PLEASE let me know about it. I own nothing but the idea.
Noatak looked over the crowds standing before him and smiled, though it was covered by his mask. These were the loyal, those who recognized his bending as the necessary evil that it was. Tarrlok stood at his side, examining the men and women as well, and Noatak knew that his brother was just as proud.
"Equalists," he called out from his place on the podium, and immediately the whisperings and shushings stopped as an expectant hush fell over the crowd. "Today we celebrate a great victory!"
They cheered.
"No, more than one victory," Noatak said musingly. "A series, a string, of victories."
More cheering. Tarrlok nodded slightly, just the barest movement of his head. Noatak grinned, glad that the former Councilman approved of his speech.
"Over two years ago, my brother and I returned to Republic City after years in exile. We stayed undergound, slowly gathering you, our loyal followers, until the time came to take the city.
"And, two years ago today, we did."
The applause was tremendous. Noatak didn't wait for the applause to die down, simply shouted into the microphone, "Two years it has been since we overthrew the Council! Two years it has been since Republic City was cleansed! Two years since the city has been... equalized."
He grimaced as the applause and shouting rose in volume, making his ears hurt.
"And two years," he continued when things had grown quieter, "it has been... since the death of the Avatar!"
He saw Tarrlok's mouth tighten as the volume increased to a truly painful amount, and he himself clenched his teeth.
"There is no more Avatar. And there is no more airbending! Almost two hundred years ago the Air Nomads were almost entirely destroyed. And now, finally, there are no more airbenders!"
Tarrlok's expression stayed the same, but Noatak heard his sharp intake of breath and soft groan, too quiet for the mic to pick up. When he looked at Tarrlok, the younger man shook his head. It could wait, then.
He finished the speech, inspiring his followers and sending them on their way, then followed Tarrlok to the room at the back of the stage, removing his mask as soon as the door was closed.
"What's wrong?"
"The airbender kids are still alive, aren't they?" Tarrlok asked, frowning. Noatak shrugged.
"Unless they've starved on the streets, yes. Why?"
"Father was a bender," Tarrlok said instead of answering his question.
"Yes..." Noatak said slowly, not entirely sure where his brother was going with this.
"And he lost his bending."
"Yes," Noatak said impatiently. "So what?"
"But we're still waterbenders."
Noatak's eyes widened as he understood his brother's meaning.
"We have to kill those kids."