Chapter 1:

She had been there that day. Though many wouldn't have noticed the quiet and petite female not only because of her size, but because she had not been at all amused by the fact of the disgraceful way the sport was played. In fact the sport in no fashion amused Kasai, yet she'd come to the arena in hopes of fulfilling a wish of her friend Hana. Hana Keisei was an avid probending fan. She loved listening to the radio each night that the games were played. In fact it appeared that Hana had become almost obsessed especially with the new addition to the fire ferrets. When the news of the avatar being in republic city had hit both of the girl's ears it had come as a shock, however it came even more as a shock to hear that she'd made her appearance with the fire ferrets. Shaking her head after the second round was announced Kasai stood; stretched and then headed towards the stadium's stairs.

"I still don't understand what her obsession is with this sport…" Kasai spoke slight exasperation clear in her voice, "though watching people beat the living crap out of each other is quite entertaining it's pathetic how some of these teams love to exploit their bending. It's not a wonder the equalists have been making such a fuss lately. With the way these people dwell into their success I can't believe they didn't act sooner than what they've done already…" The announcement of the equalist attacks had been increasing lately. It had all started as something as simple non-benders wanting equality, now it had slowly been turning into an utter nightmare. There'd been rumors going around on how this Amon had been taking bending away from some of the vigilantes of the city. It made Kasai's skin crawl that a man was able to do such a thing. Sitting on the steps biting her cheek carefully as she thought about the recent events Kasai heard screaming coming from the arena. Eyes wide Kasai was up within an instant running back up the stairs.

Looking around Kasai noticed equalists knocking down people using what appeared to be electric gloves, "Mother…" she cursed as she raced up behind one trying to attack Hana. Quickly hitting their pressure points rendering their mobility useless for a moment Kasai knocked him out of the way and quickly grabbed Hana and headed towards the exit once more. As she did Kasai noticed the major panic that was going through the stands. It was unbelievable at how many people were trying to race all at once out of the stadium. It was almost like a bunch of lab rats in a maze; scattered, worried and afraid their last meal was about to be stolen from them. Quickly making it through the sea of people though, Kasai hurried Hana away from the stadium. Looking back after a few minutes eyes wide with fear Kasai realized the stadium was done; that mad man had taken the last thing that many in Republic City had to keep those whom in grievance of coinciding with each other. Closing her eyes Kasai kept herself from screaming. The man was crazy; a complete mad man! Kasai had hoped to keep out of this nonsense for as long as she could, yet here she was now going to be stuck in the middle of something that she herself didn't agree with. Though she too was a non-bender Kasai didn't mind the factor of those who bent an element; in fact Hana was an earthbender though timid as she was. After losing her mother the only family member she had left Hana had been left to the streets no where else to go. When Kasai had found her almost passed out running a fever she'd quickly taken her in and nursed her back to health.

"I'm so sorry Hana…" she said her voice no higher than a whisper as they came to the front door of their home, "this wasn't supposed to happen…" she spoke as if she thought the situation was her fault, yet knew it wasn't. It wasn't surprising however that Kasai blamed herself. She was a non-bender after all, one who sadly could possibly be mistaken for an equalist because of her ability as a trained chi-blocker. Sighing heavily Kasai laid Hana down quickly on the couch. Looking at her friend slowly Kasai tried to force a smile to her face hoping in a way to sooth her friends worry. She'd seen horrid things tonight things that most likely would haunt her for many days to come. Sadly she knew however that tomorrow her friend and she would have to go to the station to give a report. It would be all over the radio before the end of the night of the attack. Amon had warned the council if they didn't shut down the arena something like this would happen, yet they had not listened. Look where everyone stood now? The reasoning behind them not listening was beyond the young chi-blockers comprehension, but hopefully soon she would be able to understand the reasoning's why they'd taken such a risk. Chief bei fong had promised that nothing would happen, yet no one had searched thoroughly enough it would seem or these equalists would never have made it into the arena.

After making sure that Hana was asleep Kasai finally headed back to her bedroom. Grabbing her nightwear Kasai headed to the back of the house. Quickly exiting out into the yard Kasai sighed heavily, "Ok time for a little training…" Closing her eyes Kasai took in a deep breath stretched for a few moments and then began her nightly training. She had a feeling soon things would come down to an all out war. This was something that no one would be prepared for, but Kasai knew one thing; she would do what she had to to make sure Hana was safe no matter what.

The morning after the attack Kasai woke slowly in a haze. Her mind was muddled as she slowly sat up in her bed. Carefully rising Kasai headed for the living room where she found Hana seemingly bright eyed and bushy tailed, however it seemed that the reason for her being wide awake and happy would be short lived. As her early morning radio show ended the announcement that anyone who had heard or saw anything from the previous evening's events was demanded to make a report at the police station. Looking at Hana who's face now had fallen to sadness Kasai quickly walked over and hugged her friend who shook slowly in her arms, "shhh… it will be alright Hana…" She did all that she could to comfort her friend. Hana had been through hell and back since her parent's death and the previous evenings events had done nothing to help the young earthbenders mental status.

After a few minutes Kasai stood and offered her hand to Hana, "Come on sweety lets get around and go… the sooner we get this done the sooner it will be all over ok?" she then gave her friend a reassuring smile which Hana returned taking Kasai's hand and following her to the bathroom to get dressed.

When they entered the police station a few hours later Kasai noticed the avatar sitting alone in the waiting room. It appeared her mind was focused on something, however the focus was short lived as the door's to the investigation room opened and a man exited. He seemed sullen, lost, and definitely short on sleep, "Kasai, its Tahno…" Kasai turned to look at Hana a slightly confused look on her face. Kasai in no way shape or form knew who the man Hana obviously recognized was, "he lost his bending Kasai… that man… he took it away from him…" Kasai looked over to the man eyes wide in shock. So it was true… Amon could truly take away someone's bending. It had all been a rumor up until that point though there had been a huge story stating of the last people Amon had supposedly taken bending away from.

As she watched the man walk over to the avatar Kasai felt her heart go out to him. Though she wasn't a bender Kasai was quite sure that having it taken away is like taking away someone's life or even just their grip on reality. After a moment Kasai decided to walk up to the man, "I… um heard about what happened… I'm sorry for…"

The man turned ice cold eyes on the girl his anger clearly visible before he even spoke, "Can it why don't ya… I don't need your…" before he could finish his sentence and even to the shock of herself, the avatar and hana she slapped him across the face.

"You know what… whatever you aren't even worth my time. I try to be nice seeing as you just lost your bending, yet you want to act like you're still all big and bad, so you know what pretty boy get over yourself and have fun living a non-bending life!" with that she took off not even daring to look back at the shocked and lost face of the man she'd dared to take sorrow on.