I shouldn't, but I am. Writing another fanfiction! I have no clue where I'm going with this one, but I wanted to try my hand at Noatok and Tarrlok. 3
You all get to see why I shouldn't handle so many characters at once, too. I mean, seriously, AAAH.
Disclaimer: I don't own TLOK.
Chapter 1: They're Back
Katara enjoyed having a full house, again. The rooms were warm and lively with chatter, her grandchildren ran to and fro, and Rohan's healthy infant yowls warmed her heart. So, when she stepped into the cramped living area of her home, clutching a parchment in her gloved hands, Katara drank in the scene, since this happiness was going to be cut short.
Korra and her friends knelt at a low table, finally able to unwind now that Republic City was being pieced back together. Non-benders and benders alike were working toward a better future. Katara's grandchildren had weaseled in between Korra and her friends, enjoying being a "big kid" with the teenagers. In the other room, Tenzin's voice could vaguely be heard, along with Pema's; every so often, Rohan gave a coo or a mewl. Somewhere, Lin was keeping an eye on the home.
The old waterbender steeled herself and wiped the sad smile off her features. Korra looked up at Katara as she entered , "We've just gotten a hawk-owl from Kya, Korra."
"Your daughter?" Korra laughed and scrabbled to her feet, all smiles. The world was bright, sunny, and happy for the moment. Then Katara's somber expression registered as Korra neared her Sifu, her pace slowed and worry flickered into her eyes, "What's wrong?"
"It seems someone of...interest has appeared at the Northern City."
Korra felt her stomach twist. The others in the room instantly turned their attention to Katara. In that moment, no one needed to be a fortuneteller to know what the old waterbender was saying.
He was alive and back. And so soon. Only a scant few months had passed since Republic City had been won back.
Korra clenched her fists. She had her bending, she unlocked the Avatar State, and she had the upper hand with numbers in the Northern Tribe. Why, oh why, did her heart slam so fearfully in her chest? Despite her organ's confounding reaction, Korra bit out, "I'll head out right away."
It took five days to get to the Northern Water Tribe; mostly thanks to the pit-stops. It wasn't until she started traveling with men that Korra realized how much they had to pee. Really. And Tenzin's old bladder didn't help the matter.
She was anxious to get to the Northern city. Her palms itched and her stomach pitched around inside her body, as if it were a rabid cow-monkey. Korra kept replaying the last time they had seen Amon and, on that note, Tarrlok. Soon after Amon disappeared, his brother had followed suit. Undoubtedly, they were together.
Even while Mako cuddled up to her at night, her thoughts swung around Amon and Tarrlok. She felt like she was going insane.
Oogi landed heavily onto the plateau of the city, about five yards from the buildings, jarring Korra from thoughts surrounding the tragic brothers. She was the first to hop off the flying bison, using her own airbending to land herself gently into the snow. Just as her boots made a satisfying crunch, the city chieftain approached from a nearby building.
"About time you came to visit, Tenzin!" Kya, though not a spring-chicken, raced to her little brother and hugged him tightly against her, "How the kids? The wife? Mom told me you had another one! Repopulating the airbending race, are you?"
"Kya, please," Tenzin wiggled in his big sister's grasp until the woman released him. Behind him, Bolin and Mako sniggered. Tenzin ignored the giggles at his expense and straightened out his clothes, "We're here on important business."
"Importan- Oh, you're talking about those two." The woman placed a hand on her hip and waved her other hand to the city, non-chalant, "Well, they're not going anywhere. We've got them in cells. One of 'em doesn't look too good, though. The other refused the use of our healers on him. Crazy mook drove 'em off with bloodbending, but he isn't breaking free."
Korra felt a muscle in her jaw twitch. Amon was healthy, alive, and whole. Tarrlok was in trouble, though. Her heart twisted for the councilman, the man who had endured Yakone as a father and had become a warped version of his predecessor.
"That doesn't make sense. Amon is all about running away, hiding, surviving." Mako snorted derisively, crossing his arms as he, Bolin and Asami joined the pow-wow.
"Maybe it's not really Amon and just another...bloodbender with a brother...who would deny healers..." Bolin trailed off as everyone else gave him a look, "Okay, okay, it's probably him."
A worried look passed over Asami's features and her green eyes flicked to Korra, "What if he's only doing this to confront you again, Korra? It might be a trap."
Korra's eyes flicked to Asami, eyes wide. It made sense. Sifu Katara being Korra's waterbending teacher was no secret and it wasn't a secret that Kya was the leader of the Northern tribe. That meant Korra would've heard about the brothers, one way or another. But why would he want to see her? To try and take away her airbending? Boy, would she have a surprise for him if that was the case.
"Kya," The Avatar turned her gaze to the Water Tribe leader, "Take me to them, please. We have unfinished business."
The prison of the Northern City was situated into the side of a cliff, with the armed forces' building nearby. Korra felt tingles race up and down her arms as Kya led the way. Before following the chief down the hall, she turned to her mentor and her friends, "I think I should see him alone."
"What?" Confusion dotted across Asami's face, "But, Korr-"
Mako started, taken aback and interrupted Asami, "No, we all go see him. I don't want anything happening to you."
"Yeah, this dude can bloodbend and he could take away your bending. Again!"
"No, he can't," Korra shook her head, raising a clenched hand, "I didn't fall to his bloodbending once and now I'm a full-fledged Avatar. I'll be fine."
Consternation crossed Tenzin's face, but he stroked his beard, contemplating Korra's wish. Turning to the other three, he sighed, "This is between Korra and Amon. Let us trust her judgement."
"What!" Mako and Bolin crowed together.
"If anything happens, Korra, we will be close." Tenzin ignored the boys and caught Korra by the shoulders. Worry glistened in his eyes and his stomach clenched at the thought of allowing Korra to face the man who haunted her nightmares. She was determined, though, and this was her choice. Still, he felt as if she were one of his daughters and she had the ability to make him fret, "Be careful."
Korra smiled up at Tenzin, heart warming to his care. Her hands pressed atop his and she nodded, "Thank you, Tenzin. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Before anyone could utter another complaint, Korra slipped away from Tenzin and started down the hall Kya had disappeared down. Behind her, she heard Mako complain, Bolin worry, and Asami attempting to soothe both of their frazzled nerves. A light smile twitched at Korra's lips as warmth continued to bloom in her chest. She was so grateful to have each one of them in her life.
As she ventured further down the hall, a chill settled into her bones. Kya waited for her at the end, hand on her hip. Behind her, a large steel door stood. There was a small slit in it, so Korra could vaguely catch the shadows of two figures hunched inside. Kya pulled a keyring from somewhere in her parka and unlocked the door. The tumblers fell and echoed, jarring Korra's very bones.
The Avatar's heart thumped loudly in her chest as Kya held the door open for her, "I'll wait outside, Korra. I get the feeling you're trying to confront this guy alone. If you need anything, I'm here."
Korra's eyes flickered to Kya and she gave the woman a nod before venturing into the shadowy cell. Behind her, the door shut. Small, glass stalactites - filled with phosphorescence - lined the ceiling, casting a gentle glow over the brothers.
Amon sat in a corner with his head bowed, legs pulled to his chest, and crossed arms resting atop his knees. Beside him, Tarrlok laid atop a mat with thick blankets piled atop him. Sweat glistened on the former councilman's brow and, softly, he groaned softly in his slumber. Korra swallowed heavily and took a step closer to them. The scent of sweat and illness hung heavily in the air and it churned her already roiling guts. Both of the brothers appeared worse for wear, in the dim blue light. Their hair was mussed and tangled; Amon's clothes had seen better days.
"Avatar Korra," Amon stirred, but didn't look up, "Thank you for arriving, though I expected you sooner."
"What are you playing at, Amon?" Korra snarled, fists clenched. Inside her, anger raged against sympathy. She just had to remind herself he was a con, a crook, a liar, "Or should I call you Noatok?"
Amon was silent. Korra took another step closer, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. He sat there, head against his arms, not moving. His chi felt fine, he didn't seem ill; Korra couldn't say the same for Tarrlok, though. There was something in Amon, though. A heaviness she couldn't identify.
She clenched her fists, letting her nails bite into the palm of her hand. No sympathy, "At a loss for words? How rare. I'll ask again: What do you want, Amon?"
Suddenly, the man was on his feet. Korra never realized how tall the man was until he was almost atop her. So shocked at his sudden movement, the Avatar didn't even have time to move. His hands landed on her upper arms jolted her out of her surprise. She started to pull away, but Amon clasped her tighter.
"Let g-" Korra paused as her gaze shot to his face. Something was wrong. In the faint glow of the stalactites, it was difficult to see his face. Before she couldn't concentrate further on it, Amon's head bowed down, his forehead nearly touching her chest. Her face flushed from the proximity and her heart stuttered.
His strained, choked tone almost made Korra's heart stop altogether, "Save my brother, Avatar. Please."
There IS a reason why Amon isn't allowing regular healers to touch Tarrlok. :I Trust my story-bending!