Air Temple Island was more quiet and peaceful than most loud places. At least in due time, they would be able to see the life of Air Nomads. In the interest of the morning, hope couldnt help but glance at the news article Korra was reading.
"And, in the final round, the Buzzard Wasps won with a decisive knockout." Korra said.
"So thats what everyones all the rage about here. Pro Bending." Toma said. "And for some reason, I get the impression youre not amused by Korra's likeness to it, huh Ten?"
"Please, refrain from calling me Ten so much, and yes. That sport is a mockery to the noble art of bending." Tenzin said.
"I only ever saw a few matches on Universal Pay-Per-View." Hope said. "I didnt tell Korra about it."
"Oh come on!" Korra said. "But, Oh right. I didnt tell you about how much i was into it. Now im just a ferry away from seeing it live in the arena."
"You two aren't here to watch that drivel. You've here to either finish or help finish the avatar training." Tenzin said.
"She's supposed to be on the isle, right?" Riku asked.
"Is that why you've got all this protection?" Sabo said.
"The white lotus are here partly because of Korra. With so many high value targets here, such as the Novoselic Princess, a Revolutionary Army second in command, even the King of Disney Castle, i believe its for the best." Tenzin said.
"If you say so." Riku said.
Outside…
"So, you've never been able to airbend even once?" Hope asked.
"SHe hasnt. Thats what my mother tells me." Tenzin said.
"I guess. The other three came natrually to me, but ive always had the Problem with Air bending." Korra said.
"Well, Aang told me personally that…" Hope began.
"That's all right. Normally, the hardest element for the Avatar to master is the one most opposite to their personality. For Aang it was Earthbending." Tenzin said.
"Hey, i was getting to that." Hope said.
"Remember your training. Avoid the spotlight often." Mukuro said.
"Right." Hope said.
"Besides, this is all for Korra." Mickey said as they headed up the stairs to see a strange device as well as Tenzin's children.
"I assume you've met my children already." Tenzin said.
"Yeah, I know em. Jinora, Ikki and Meelo." Hope said.
"The younger two can be a handful…" Kazuichi whispered.
"So, this is the first test?" Riku asked.
"This is one of the key fundamentals of airbending." Tenzin said.
"The goal of it is to weave through the gates without touching them." Jinora Said.
"Thats all? That seems easy." Fuyuhiko said before Ikki caught his attention.
"Jinora forgot to tell you have to make it through while the gates are spinning." Ikki said as Tenzin airbended them into moving. He then pushed a leaf into the spinning gates.
"The key is to be like the leaf. Flow through the gates." Tenzin said as Jinora followed suit, switching directions. "Air moves freely and is ever changing. Its all about spiral movements and be able to change directions at a moments notice." Tenzin said as Jinora made it through as she respun the gates.
"Let's do this." Korra said dashiing in.
"Uh Korra, I dont think..!" Mahiru said.
"Oof! Ow!" Korra said as the gates hit her one after another.
"Well, saw that coming." Toma said.
Korra tried again and again, only to have the same result. On the last try,she got hit by the first gate and fell to the ground.
"Oooooh….." Lacy said.
"Yeah, thats gonna leave a mark." Zephyr said.
"Gosh, this is gonna take awhile." Mickey said. "All of us focus on straight lined moves. We change direction, sure, but… not on a dime."
"Its not simple for anyone fluent in other skills." Tenzin said.
"Well, you know… I bet Riku can do it." Mikan pointed out nervously.
"All right." Riku said approaching it.
The gates started spinning once again as Riku quickly dashed through moving swiftly on a dime to avoid each gate before he calmly walked out on the other side.
"Cool!" Ikki said.
"Very impressive." Tenzin said. "He didnt follow the style of Airbending, and yet he made it through. And you say youre self-taught in the ways of Keyblade combat but, how is it you can move like that?"
"I've lived on an island for a large time of my life. We have an obstacle course we'd always race through and I would always beat him." Riku said. "So, doing something like this is a cakewalk."
"You have an amazing Ally." Tenzin said.
"Can I pick em or what?" Hope said. "I mean thank you sir."
At nightfall…
"We have another exiting match on our hands, folks! But first we have some very special guests here tonight. The Hoenn regions rival to their contest queen, Rarity, the Sky Trainer Extrodinare, Rainbow Dash, and the Turned over Amadeus Flux. They join me in the booth as the match begins. So, tell me Ms Rarity. What is the secret of matching your outfits with the right category for all your preformances?"
'Well darling, if you must know, I usually have to think about what fits with each one. Tough is sporty clothing, cute is princess type stuff, though I suppose kitten decorated things work for that too, cool would be anything that gives off an appeal, clever is student or professor wear and beauty is ball gowns." Rarity said.
"Ah, I see. Now, the real focus is on you, Ms Dash. How nervous are you regarding coming into your first Sky Tranier Match right here in our very own Pro Bending Arena?"
"Awesome man. Me and my flyers and support squad are primed and ready to show off our stuff." Rainbow said.
"Well, all eyes will be on you and the Fire Ferrets for another win tomorrow night. Now, Mr. Flux, recently you've been on a charity spree, helping countless people and even build a shelter here in Republic City. What brought this on?"
"Well, if I had to pick one thing, its the tutelage of my former sidekick Hope the Victor who helped me reform myself. But, even a shelter is not enough. Non-benders in this city are starving and cold. So, now is the perfect time to announce I have just build a new restaurant here in Republic City that serves food from all over this world as well as Chinese." Flux said.
"Sidekick?" Hope said. "Hes really bending stuff here. It seems like hes legit on his word, but.."
He then saw the announcer focus on the game.
"Oooooh, big hit by Mako of the Fire Ferrets, knocking his target into zone 3!" he said. "That mako is very precise and lethal as the firebender of the Ferrets, wouldnt you all agree?"
"Wow, yeah. For an underdog team, that guys got some moves, right Rarity?" Rainbow asked.
"He certainly is a one man army with balance and technique." Rarity said. 'Though Swampy certain is a one man army himself."
"And how about you, Flux? What do you have to say on account of Makos amazing playing?"
"I will give him this much….he has the chance to go in all the way to the championships!" Flux said.
"Here it comes folks! The fire ferrets line up and…!"
The radio was cut off after that by Tenzin.
"Knew that was coming." Hope said.
"It wasnt directed to you though." Tenzin said. "I know youre up there, Korra. Come down."
Korra landed from the top of the guard post. "You shut it off at the best part!" Korra said.
"I thought I made myself clear. I don't want you listening to this distracting nonsense." Tenzin said.
"You heard the other stuff, what Flux said, right?" Hope said.
"True, he has not had the best history. But recently he's reformed, he's even helped fixed the damages Korra made her first day here." Tenzin said.
"I know but...I dunno. Somethings up." Hope said.
The Next day as Korra was trying to meditate with Tenzin and his children.
"Something doesnt seem right. I'm getting suspicious of Flux." Hope said.
"Hes right. Everywhere we went while traveling, weve seen him do good things all over different worlds." Mukuro said.
"Yeah. He's been like that for the past 5 months. He's even been taken off the wanted list." Sabo said.
"It doesnt feel right, Flux wouldnt turn that easily." Sonia said.
"I havent gotten any world from Ultimate Impostor yet. Wonder how hes doing…" Hope said.
"Dunno, he never got the message of us splitting up." Kazuichi said. "Apparently he stopped investigating Flux 3 months ago and went to infiltrate the Equalists instead."
"We shouldnt worry about him. He can fool anybody no matter who hes with. He'll contact us." Hope said.
"Look, I know how uneasy you are with this Flux thing, but you can't really beat up a guy who hasn't even done anything wrong." Toma said.
"Yeah, I understand that." Hope said. "Maybe there is a way. Flux always goes to sponsor the Pro Bending matches."
"Yeah, I always hear em yappin on the radio every single match." Toma said. :Youre point being?"
"Were sneaking out and hitting the arena. Tonight." Hope said.
"I bet theres three reasons behind that." Titancia said.
"See Rainbow after awhile, spy on flux and see a Pro-Bending Match live?" Riku asked.
"Yep!" Hope said.
"Well, okay. But don't do anything crazy." Aqua said.
"Hey, since when do i do crazy?" Hope said.
That night, they saw Korra escaping and swimming to the stadium. They followed her and took a different way into the arena. There, they saw Rainbow tugging her flight suit walking alongside a man with a green helmet and fire ferret attire with a green stripe on his helmet, or rather, he was following her.
"I gotta know, are you gonna back me and my team up all the way to the champion ship tournament. Well, heh, not that I would wanna have an awesome girl on the circuit."
"Uh, thats sweet of you Bolin, but I'm not a bender." Rainbow said. "Just a sky trainer."
"Yeah, thats the thing. The champ divisons got loads of Sky Trainers to go up against, one for each team. We clinch the next two matches, you could be with us and taking it to the finals."
"Well, I guess there's no harm in doing so." Rainbow said. "I could use a second trophy to celebrate winning two sky trainer tournaments."
"Awesome!" Bolin said. "Though uh, dont you think that interview in Kalos left a bit of an insult in it?"
"I dount any one ever noticed tha…" Rainbow started.
"I'm big headed, huh?" Hope said surprising her as she saw him.
"Hey….you." Rainbow chuckled. "Bolin, this is the guy I was tellin you about."
"Youre Bolin, on the Fire Ferrets? Pleasure." Hope said.
"We'd love to talk Hope but…" Rainbow said before covering her mouth. "Rainbow and Bolin to the arena." she said in a disguised voice. "Aw. Such a shame. Well, goodluck watching our match." Rainbow said walking off.
"Hey!" Hope said cutting after them before seeing Korra cornered in the gym. Bolin looked to see hope glancing at her, then to korra and walked in.
"There you are! Been looking all over for you." Bolin said. "It's alright Toza, shes with us."
"Im with em too." Hope said.
"Hope?" Korra said.
"Not now…" Hope whispered. "Yeah, were both with them."
"You could even say the girl and I are together." Bolin said.
"Well, not together-together…" Korra said.
"Dont care, just get outta my gym. I got work to do." Toza said.
"Thanks." Korra said.
"NO prob." Hope said.
"Id better get to my hangar. This wingsuit doesnt catch a thing on the ground." Rainbow said as she tossed a ball up. "Noivern!"
Noivern came out of the ball and grabbed Rainbow by her arms as it flew off with her.
They soon came to the entry way for the Ferrets.
"Well, whaddya think? Best seats in the house, right?" Bolin said.
"Whoa…" Korra said.
"You know it…" Hope said.
The probending Stage was bigger on the inside. Below the stands of a thousand people stood a lone large pool of water, and in the middle of it raised a plat form with three marked zones with two sides, red and blue. There were grates in the zones for the water benders to grab liquid from, and circular stone disc dispensers made to look like the kingdom symbol, supplying ammo for the earthbenders.
"Yep. This is the probending arena." Bolin said.
JUst then, a new face with styled hair walked in with a helmet representing red, for fire.
"Psst, Bolin." he said. "What did i tell you about bringing your crazy fangirls in before a match?"
"WHoa, sorry man." Hope said.
"Ah, dont worry about it. Hope, Korra, this is my bro Mako." Bolin said.
"Youre Mako? Ive heard alot about you." Hope said.
"Bolin, let's get to the arena." Mako said brushing past them.
"Yeah, guess he's in the zone." Bolin said. "Wish us luck, not that I'll need it…" Bolin said going after him with the Waterbender for thier team following.
"Good Luck! Knock em out!" Korra said.
A ring announcer rose up to the stage.
"Introducing your Fire Ferrets!" he said as the three of them came out on a moving platform.
"Once again tonight, here are the fire ferrets. This team came out of knowwhere and have been advancing amazingly." the commentator said.
"I highly agree with that, darling. They say they were underdogs when they started." Rarity said.
"Hey, lots of underdogs became big. I should know, I've seen them all. Straw Hats, Fairy Tail and most notable of all….myself." Flux said.
"Man, hes got an ego." Korra said.
Spotlights then shone on hangar 1, rainbow coming out.
"Introducing next, from CHS! Shes the queen of the Skies in Kalos with a free spirit…! Rrrrrainbow Dash!"
The crowd cheered.
"Rainbow dash, the high flier of Kalos, making her first ever debut in our Stadium supporting the Fire Ferrets as she goes head to head with the opposing pro bender teams Sky Trainers! I am still astonished by her amazing style of battle and training. SHe has a great linup of fliesrs each one bringing a certain attribute to each match." the commentator said.
"You got that right. First you have Hawlucha, a flying and fighting type. A big disadvantage against other flyers but is great against normals. Then we got her Talonflame, a speedy and powerful hitter and finally, we have Noivern, a dragon flying type with most power to spare." Flux said.
"Possibly the most interesting factor of her career is her training style. She has her other nonfliers train the competitors! Rarity, as a coordinator with the same tactics in contests, what do you think of this unique way of Sky Battle training?"
"Well, it certainly is interesting. She uses a Frogadier to help increase Talonflame's speed, a Sylveon to test against Noivern's reflexes and an Absol to go against Hawlucha's power. A wonderful way of training. For me, I based my performers on looks and personality." Rarity said.
"Well, we are sure to have a great match tonight! It is the Fire Ferrets against the Tiger-Dillos, their sky trainer bringing a Noctowl to the party." the announcer said.
Both teams got at the ready as both sky trainers called out their pokemon as Rainbow called out Hawlucha to deal with Noctowl.
"Yeah! Go Fire Ferrets!" Korra said.
"Go Rain...huh?" Hope said looking at Noctowl as he saw a dark aura around it. "Ah, crap…"
"Shadow Pokemon…" Mickey said. "That Trainers using a shadow pokemon!"
Erica whipped out her binoculars and saw Flux in surprise.
"Even Flux is surprised. Which means he didnt sell it." Erica said.
"So….let's get ready to rumble!" the ref said.
The Bell rung as both sides started the fight while Hawlucha and Noctowl were at each other's necks.
"And theyre off!" the commentator said. "Immediately both Sky trainers waste no time comeing out of their Hangars hot, as both Bender teams also waste no time trying to blast each other out of zone 1!"
"You can really see, even when the fight comes outta the gater, that Mako is on fire. But as for the Sky Trainers, it appears Rainbow is having trouble with the opponents Noctowl for some reason." Flux said.
"This is a Shadow Pokemon shes up against, fast, fierce and show no mercy." Mickey said to the group.
"A Shadow Pokemon? You mean those weapons that have been showing up in the news? But...how come not everyone is phased by its big aura?" Damien asked.
"Its aura can only be seen by a few people like Hope and myself. The audience can't all see aura like we can." Mickey said.
Hawlucha landed a critical hit on Noctowl across the neck.
"Hawlucha, with a Karate Chop to the windpipe! Noctowl is stunned but not out! But...wait, what's this?"
In the audience, a ball was launched as it hit Noctowl as it went inside. The ball shook for a minute before it dinged and went back to a figure in the audience as they soon started running.
"Aria?" Hope asked.
"Definetly." Sabo said. "She's definitely making good use of the Snag Machine."
"Snag Machine?" Hope asked.
"That thing on her arm. It was something Team Snagem was making before you showed up. Its designed to steal pokemon away from trainers. Since Aria wants to criple Flux's shadow pokemon products, she thought the best way was stealing them away from the trainers they were sold to." Koala said. "So far, there's only one in existence and she's wearing it."
The trainer growled before raising a hand. "I….forfeit." he said.
"WIth a Sky Battle Only limited to one pokemon each, its no surprise he forfeited." the commentator said. "Below, the match is still raging on. We are tied one each in round three, but...oooooh! Asuk takes a hit and drags Bolin with him into the pool! Its all on Mako's shoulders now!"
"I can see why hes amazing with his technique, but how can he possibly stand up to a full team with just him alone?" Rarity asked.
"Looks like its not an issue." Flux said as Mako was easily dodging before landing a good three man hit and winning the game.
"Wow, did you two see that?! Mako dragged them down and won by a KO! The fire ferrets have made a comeback against stacked odds, what an amazing match!" the commentator said.
"And that means they need one more win and they qualify for the championships." Flux said.
"Yep. That's right. And that sky trainer, Rainbow, was amazing as well. So, see you next match." the commentator said.
Rainbow came down from the ladder.
"That was great! Well, yknow, up until that chick snagged that Noctowl, but still!" Bolin said.
"Yeah. She kinda looked like one of those girls I battled in a music contest once." Rainbow said.
"It was Aria. I didnt get a good look, but Its her." Rarity said joining her.
"But hey, its been awhile, you two. You guys, youre great. Rarity, with those back to back master class wins, and Rainbow taking the championship title!" Damien said.
"Aw, that was nothin, right Rarity?" Rainbow asked.
"Please. Contests to me are an art form, one I was happy to take part in." Rarity said.
"Its a shame you didnt go all the way to reach the level to challenge her, though." Erica said.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I was never going to challenge Lisia." Rarity said.
"You werent? Oh, well thats a relief." Hope said.
"So, whats you and your groups deal?" Bolin said.
"Were a bit of a wandering hero group. Korras in it actually." Hope said.
"Huh, she is?" Bolin asked. "I was gonna take her up on some moves, but im not sure, she is a waterbender. Im only assuming, with that water tribe getup…"
"Not a problem, she does water, Earth and fire." Damien said.
"Im very confused right now…" Bolin said.
Mako sighed and spoke up. "Shes the avatar, and I'm an idiot." Mako said.
"Both are true." Korra said.
"Whoa….THE Avatar, wow." Bolin said.
In the backstage of the arena, Aria was making her way to the exit.
"You did good out there.' a voice said as she turned to see Sabo and Hope.
"You." Aria said looking at them.
"I saw you snipe that Noctowl. Are you trying to make up for joining Snagem?" Hope asked.
"Ugh. No. I do it cause I hate Flux." Aria said.
"We saw Flux's face. He didnt give that trainer the…" Hope said.
"Doesn't matter if he gave the trainer or not. He's still the one that made the process that makes Shadow Pokemon." Aria said. "I also hate him for tossing the three of us aside like trash."
"If you have a cause, I dont need to get in your grill." Hope said walking off.
"Why did you bring him to me?" Aria asked.
"I wanted to see if I'd get a reaction from you." Sabo smiled as he walked off after Hope.
"Revolutionary….remember….I'm not some sappy loser." Aria said walking out the exit.
Next Morning…
"So, just you and rarity made it here first?" Hope asked.
"Yeah, Jexi said he's having some trouble finding the avatar's world for some reason." Rainbow said.
"But I hear Odd's gonna be coming here by train with some mystery girlfriend he met in Virbank." Rarity said.
"I wonder who it is…" Hope said before he saw a blast of fire. They ran up and saw that Korra, in losing her temper in the machine, burned it all down.
"Oh my goodness!" Rarity said.
"Oh man…" Hope said.
"That was a 2000 year old historic treasure. What...what is wrong with you?!" Tenzin said.
"Maybe you're just a….terrible teacher!" Korra shouted before she marched off.
Hope walked up to him.
"You did everything right." Hope said.
"I just dont know how to get through to her at all. Yet, you had no problem with her as she traveled." Tenzin said.
"Well, someone like Korra tends to listen better to people close to her age." Hope said. "I think."
"Youre not like her at all, are you?" Tenzin asked.
"Nah, im straight." Hope said.
Later that night…
Hope looked around the Island.
"Has anyone seen Korra? I wanted to talk to her about earlier." Hope said.
"Yes… soon as Rainbow went for tonights match, she sneaked off again and followed her." Rarity said. "Well, you're gonna be hearing this later anyway so...why not now." she said lifting up a radio.
"And what is this? A water bender earthbending? No doubt about it. The Fire Ferrets new replacement is the Avatar herself!" Flux said.
Hope and Tenzin were speechless.
"What is she thinking?" Hope asked. Without thinking, he dived into the bay and wisdom dashed to the arena.
He made it to see Korra knocked over and trying to take the lift up before he and Tenzin both arrived at once.
"What are you both doing here?" Korra asked.
"Thats what I should be asking you, you couldve told me you were doing something stupid!" Hope said.
"What are you talking about? You do stuff like this all the time. Breaking into the Paris Museum, charging enemies head on, even going against villains with only you." Korra said.
"Do not speak to the one who lead you before this that way, Korra." Tenzin said. "Now, we're going home."
"No. I'm in the middle of something." Korra said. "Maybe I don't even need airbending. This is what I need. Modern styles of fighting."
"Korra, you dont know what youre saying…!" Hope said.
"Butt out for once!" Korra said as the took the lift upwards and joined the match again.
Hope sighed. "Shes right. I wanted to believe i've changed, that I put my stupid ideas behind me. But even now, I think my team thinks im still the same."
"I dont think that is the reason why your teammates trained away from you." Tenzin said.
"Huh?" Hope asked.
"Old man's right you know." a voice said as Hope saw Aria behind them. "They left to support you and help you. They trained away from you so they could protect you."
"Being a leader of a team is not about protecting your members from harm all the time, but rather…" Tenzin said before seeing Korra move just like tenzin tried to show her this whole time, dodging the attacks of the rival team. "...letting them do things their own way without interruption."
"I get it." Hope said. "Its not the factor of my straying away from the center of attention, its about sharing the battlefield… with my friends."
"Everyone always needs someone to depend on, even the mightiest of leaders. Such as your friend." Tenzin said.
"Jexis strong yeah, but he always got friends that always get his back whenever he needs it." Hope said.
"Wouldn't the two warriors in the ring be equals...if the one who fought the other that day did not follow by their friends sides?" Aria said.
"That's a good question. Honestly, no one can get anywhere unless they have help of some kind." Hope said.
After the match….
Korra approached the others and Tenzin.
"Im really sorry for how i acted guys, I felt disappointed in myself. I mean, I'm the odd one out when it comes to us training, and i felt so frustrated with getting the one last piece to being who i need to be, i kinda took it out on you guys." Korra said.
"Im the one who should be sorry. This entire time, I was trying to teach you about patience, but in the process I lost mine. You moved like a real airbender out there." Tenzin said.
"You stayed and watched." Korra said.
"Yes. It would seem that Probending is the perfect learning tool for you." Tenzin said.
"I'll see you guys for airbending practice bright and early." Korra said running off. "By the way, I may have permanently joined the fire ferrets and we're playing in a tournament in a couple weeks!"
"Its never easy…" Hope said. "I got something to say to everyone. This whole time i didnt realize what a total idiot i was, thinking i was protecting you when you guys wanted to protect me."
"Of course we wanted to protect you. Why would we let our best friend take all the hits?" Riku said.
"Point is...we like you a lot Hopey, but there are times when you need people who have your back when you aren't powerful enough to fight back. We're those people." Gemini said.
"I know that now." Hope said. "From now on, we all fight. Together. No one goes into a fight alone without us."
"Yeah!" The team said.
"If thats all settled we got two priorities." Hope said. "First we gotta get an idea of what Amon is all about. We find Impostor, we find his plans for his revolution. And then we see about Flux, and find out what hes really planning…"
Meanwhile with Flux….
"I think Hope's onto your act, boss…." Ian said.
"Act? Please. I mean everything I say genuinely. Course he thinks bad things about me. He's known me as an evil genius for a long time now. Hard for him to think of me as anything other than that." Flux said.
"I know, but if he finds out youre here to assassinate amon for the...thing…" Ian said.
"Hey, this is big for me. I've always wanted a membership for all that info and money. But… you are right about something. Its time I started my approach. A couple nights, there's gonna be a secret Equalist Rally. And I'm going to join them." Flux said.