It was an ambush.
The cries of nonbenders pierced the sky as the chiblockers fell upon their prey swiftly. Those who would not join Amon were now being forced to do so. The Equalists unearthed an old Earth Kingdom device that could brainwash the opposing nonbenders and push them into submission. The Equalists numbers were escalating to newfound heights, and if something wasn't to change—
The city would be lost forever.
From a back alley sprinted the fit form of the Avatar. She puffed her breaths as she followed the sounds of another attack. Bolin was fast to follow her and last Mako. Asami had been injured in the previous attack and at the digression of Mako she was forced to sit this one out.
"It sounds like they're in Akiyama's foundry," Mako called out.
"You guys take the back, I'll draw their attention to the front," Korra huffed as she began to round the building. A firm hand caught her arm and drew her to a halt. Though she made an attempt to loosen the hand by tossing her arm back, there was no stopping Bolin's steadfast grip.
His eyebrows lowered over grave jade eyes as he said, "Korra, you're not going in there alone."
"I agree with Bo," the firebender stated. "It's way too dangerous to split up. We don't know how many Equalists are in there."
"There's only one way to find out," Korra growled as she finally shook from Bolin's grasp and sprinted onward.
The earthbender cursed as he turned back to his brother. "I don't like this, Mako. We should just follow after her."
Mako took a moment to think, tossing his heated amber eyes elsewhere. "If we go through the front all together it'll be like shooting pebbles at lizard fish in a barrel. Korra's right. We need to split up."
"If anything happens to her, Mako—" Bolin began, with a scowl. His blood already boiled.
"Nothing's going to happen," he promised his brother. "C'mon. We need to get going."
As she approached the metal doors of the foundry, she gave glances to the barrels littering this courtyard. Even without being able to see its contents, she could feel the cold ripples of water. Her feet were planted firmly on the ground as she drew her arms up. Through the cracks of numerous barrels came streams of water. Through the air they slithered like silver snakes making their way into one revolving ball. With a last moment of peace, she exhaled deeply. Her breath cooled the water and icicles began to freeze the water. Overcome with a burst of strength, she heaved the gigantic ball forward and watched as it shattered through the metal door.
Awaiting her on the other side was hell unleashed.
*.*
Bolin threw up his forearms and a wall of earth shielded him from the chiblocker's lightning rod. Sparks ignited the air and a hissing scream of electricity caused the hair on the earthbender's arm to stand upon end. Mako was swift as he ran up Bolin's back and somersaulted the wall. An explosion of flames rained down upon the Equalist, causing them to fall off their feet.
This was enough time for Bolin to sidestep his wall and bound the chiblocker to the floor with rock bearings. No matter how the Equalist squirmed, they could not break free.
"One down," Bolin smiled, "And a few thousand more to go. This is going better than I thought it would."
"Stop with the jokes, Bo," Mako snapped. "This isn't a game."
Bolin smiled feebly at his brother. "I'm just… trying to relieve some tension."
"How about you kill Amon, that might relieve some tension." The firebender growled as he crept along the wall to the next room. His eyes were hectic as they tried to catch the slightest movement of chiblocker activity.
"Hey, don't you get sassy with me," Bolin pouted. "I know this is serious. I know what it's like to have him standing over you, about to take your bending. I get it—but I just think—UMPH!"
"Bolin!" Mako twisted around.
His brother was gone and before he could move any further, a great darkness overcame him and he felt jagged knuckles break the skin of his cheek. Stunned, Mako fell against the wall. Before he could regain clear sight, the darkness illuminated with the electricity of a lightning rod. The white fire licked his skin causing him to scream. Before blacking out, he felt the rough texture of a sack drawn over his head and three pairs of cruel hands drag him to the ground.
*.*
Korra was relentless as she attacked the swarm of Equalists. Her fire, her water, her earth rained down upon the opposing force with merciless intentions. Though at the beginning, her purpose was to protect lives—not take them—her opinion changed when the battles escalated into war. She released a battle cry as she bounded over one wave of chiblockers and summoned an earthquake as her feet touched ground. She was a force to be reckoned with. The Equalists knew this well.
Dozens of them she would fight, and thousands more she would strike down if it meant ending this radical war. Too many of them came from the darkness and overwhelmed her. A multitude of lightning rods lashed her back and she screamed as she fell to the ground. Their hands were precise as they hit every nerve in her arms and legs to prevent her from bending further.
She was left vulnerable.
From the mass of Equalists came a leader. This could be told by the red band he wore about his bicep. He conducted them like any General of war would. He was the ringleader, below Amon.
"Well, well, well," his haunting voice purred. The like of which sent shivers down Korra's spine as she knew who this masked man was. "Everyone knows these streets aren't safe for any bender… including the Uh-vatar."
"Tahno?" Korra whispered in disbelief.
The man drew from his head the Equalist mask. A mane of curled black hair framed his cheek. A twisting smile curled his lips as he looked down upon her with an icy gaze. "Hello, Korra."
"But… Amon… after what he did— after everything," her lips trembled in a sneer, "Why?"
"I needed power," he commented with a solemn gaze. "Amon gave me the status that no bender would question. That no one alive… would question." He stepped lightly to the Avatar's paralyzed body. He crouched and slipped his gloved fingertips under her chin as he turned her gaze straight upon him. "You can't beat him, Korra. This war…" he laughed, "this war can't be won."
"How could you do this?" Korra snarled. "How could you turn your back on all benders?"
"It's easy, really." Tahno gave a nod, caressing the side of Korra's cheek. The action made her rip her face away from him to which he merely smiled. "I looked at the odds and picked the winning side. At the end of this war, I choose to live. Not die for some lost cause."
"I will beat Amon," Korra acclaimed. "I will beat him, after I destroy you."
"I'm shaking in fear," Tahno smiled as he lifted to his feet. His hands pulled back on the mask he once bore as he called to his inferiors. "Round up the nonbenders. Take them away, but," he glanced to Korra. "Leave the Avatar."
"Yes, sir," the second in command called as the Equalists disappeared in the shadows.
Korra watched helplessly. Though she tried to reclaim control of her limbs, she simply could not do so. Tears built in her eyes as she listened to the screams of the nonbenders as they were rounded together and taken away like animals to the slaughter and in this moment she knew there was nothing she could do.
"Oh, and Korra," Tahno called as he walked back to the Avatar. "I'm only letting you go because I look forward to the day that you might actually be worthy of fighting me." He grinned behind his mask. "If you're worthy."
He was swift as he launched his boot into Korra's face, knocking her unconscious.
The last thing she heard as she drifted into the darkness was the echo of Tahno's slow and deep laugh.
Then, blackness.