Disclaimer: The Legend of Korra, all characters and settings, and anything else you would recognize as pertaining to this cartoon does not belong to me. I do not intend to make any money off the writing of this fan fiction; it is merely for entertainment purposes.


Title: The Caress of Water.

Summary: The Avatar battles both the powerful Equalist activists and her own feelings for their mysterious leader—a tale of unbreakable family ties, tolerance, and self-exploration.

Pairings: Amon/Korra, unrequited Tarrlok/Korra, slight Mako/Asami, slight Mako/Korra, slight unrequited Bolin/Korra.

This chapter was totally revamped for your enjoyment on October 20, 2017.


Chapter IV: Purity's Cruel Grasp


The morning was bright and sunny, winning the war against the slight chill of the autumn wind. It was during this fine weather that Tenzin burst into Korra's room, lively and well-rested. The young Avatar was dead to the world, only just having succumbed to sleep, so she didn't react to the intrusion.

"Korra, it's time to practice your airbending. Please wake up." When he was ignored, the airbending master moved closer and prodded sharply at her blanket-covered form. "Korra? I know you're tired and hate mornings, but I told you that you wouldn't be able to get out of practice today."

Torn from her precious sleep, she poked her messy-haired head out of her blankets and peered up at him, her vision unfocused. "What."

"You look more tired than you did yesterday at breakfast," he said sternly. "This is precisely why you need to master meditation. If you could clear your mind every evening before you sleep, you wouldn't have so much trouble—Korra! Don't fall asleep when I'm speaking to you, young lady!"

With a final grumble, she heaved herself out of her bed, stumbling on her feet. A huge yawn stretched her face.

"I've already eaten an early breakfast, but I'm sure there's some left over in the kitchen. Once you've straightened yourself out, I'll meet you outside at the training field, but don't dawdle. If you try to escape the island, I'll find out!" Tenzin shot her a very threatening look before stalking out of the room. Despite his forceful attitude, he softly closed the door behind him.

Korra yearned to collapse right back into her soft, warm, inviting bed, but she simply couldn't. If only she hadn't once again wasted the night away by thinking of a certain masked man, she lamented. Sighing loudly, she went about making herself presentable for the day. Once her hair was tidy, her skin scrubbed, and her stomach full of Pema's food, she trudged outside, shielding her weary eyes from the merciless sunlight that likened to getting stabbed in the retinas.

Tenzin was already seated within an open-air gazebo, and his children were arranged around him. They all had matching expressions of tranquility, though Meelo appeared to be more asleep than meditative.

Korra quietly seated herself on the empty cushion next to Tenzin and studied her companions, folding her legs, one over the other, as she saw the rest of them doing. Her silence didn't last. "Okay, so, what do I do?"

Furrowing his brow, Tenzin opened an eye to critically peer at her posture. "Knees against the ground. Sit up straighter. Relax your muscles and take even breaths. Clear your mind."

She situated herself in the Lotus position as he instructed. She inhaled and exhaled, taking cues from the airbenders' similar breathing patterns. The waves tumbled over the shore, sweeping sand and foliage into the bay as it withdrew. The wind whistled through the trees, rustling their branches. It was the perfect combination for meditating, but Korra could only think of the next time she would face Amon.

Her eyes snapped open. When she closed her eyes, all she could see was that haunting white mask.

"You must clear your mind," Tenzin murmured. He hadn't opened his eyes, but her frustrated huffs told him that she was struggling. "Focus on the sounds of nature. Visualize the waves washing away the impurities of the sand and allow your worries to similarly vanish from your mind."

Taking a deep breath and relaxing her tense muscles, Korra reluctantly allowed her eyes to drift shut once again. She could hear the wind snag at the fallen leaves and whisk them away. The surf crashed against the sandy beach below them once again, and she perfectly pictured it in her mind. The water was soothing and familiar—relaxing, calming. She sagged, her exhaustion catching up to her. She knew it wouldn't… be long before she…

A chill snaked through her clothing, wrenching a shudder from goose-pimpled skin, and Korra's eyes flew open. Wiping the drool from her lips, she knew she had fallen asleep but couldn't tell for exactly how long. Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo were no longer in sight, but Tenzin was still there, standing at the railing with his back to her.

"I'm sorry. I must've been really relaxed," she explained sheepishly, moving to join him. "If I could master that, I'd definitely get to sleep on time every night."

"It's all right. I know how much difficulty you have with your spirituality. We'll continue meditation again later, but, for now…" He frowned, his attention caught by something in the distance. "Hm. There's a storm coming."

Korra opened her mouth to speak, but a very familiar someone interrupted her before she could.

"Good morning, Avatar Korra."

"Good morning, Councilman Tarrlok," she said warily, turning to face the dark-haired man.

Tarrlok, dressed elegantly in his Water Tribe garments as usual, had stopped at the entrance to the gazebo with White Lotus guards accompanying him on both sides. "I've been eagerly awaiting your answer about my task force for a few days now, but I haven't seen you at City Hall. So, I decided to come and ask you myself."

"It appears there is something to get you out of your airbending training. For today." Tenzin looked down at Korra before dismissing the White Lotus guards. He passed by Tarrlok, pausing next to him. "I'll see you at the council meeting today, Tarrlok."

"And you, Tenzin. Take care."

Privacy descended upon the pair when Tenzin and the guards left them. Tarrlok spied a nearby bench, a quaint one adorned with curling vines and leaves and nestled amidst attractively groomed bushes, and he gently grasped Korra by the arm and led her to it so they could sit together. "So, what is your final answer?"

"I will join your task force," she began, watching him preen with visible satisfaction. "But… in exchange, I would like a chance to speak to the council about some issues."

"Issues? What kind?"

"Some things related to nonbenders."

His expression darkened considerably. "Did they give you trouble?"

"No, no. That's not it. They have issues with some things that have been happening in the city, and I think I have a few solutions for them. I just need the council's support before I can do anything."

Tarrlok was taken aback, and he opened and closed his mouth a few times, grasping for a suitable response. "Have you been listening to the Equalists again? I can pass a law to forbid them from public protesting. The thought has crossed my mind several times. Believe me, I could do without that headache."

"That won't be necessary… I've heard Equalist protesters, but I'm actually talking about the homeless nonbenders in the city—the ones who can't find jobs, are unable to eat, and have been run out of their homes by gangs."

"Ah… right. Well, Korra, it's noble that you want to help the homeless, but I'm afraid Republic City's resources are tied too much into dealing with the constant threats of this so-called 'Revolution.' We simply can't do anything more for them."

"That's where I can come in," she hurriedly assured him. "I can find jobs for them, and I'll reclaim their homes so they have a place to live. Once that's settled, they'll be able to eat and pay their taxes."

"Your energy would be much better devoted to the task force…" he trailed off, unconvinced.

"Please let me to speak to the council about it. At least give me a chance to speak for the nonbenders. I'll do everything I can for the task force, too, and you have my word on that."

Tarrlok reluctantly relented at her pleading. "…Fine, I will schedule it for tomorrow. Will you make a statement to the press that you're on the task force—without a doubt?"

"I will," she promised. "Thank you so much."

"Wonderful. Now, is there anything more you want to discuss with me before I take my leave?"

Korra looked into his clear blue eyes, frowning. Amon's words floated through her mind: Loyalty of the unjust is an auction of blood, and he is looking a little pale these days. But she only shook her head. "No, that's all for now."

"All right. I'll expect you at City Hall tomorrow, noon. Have a pleasant day, Avatar Korra." He bowed respectfully before departing.

During the conversation, the sky had darkened with rain clouds. Korra wrapped her arms around herself when the wind howled, thunder ominously rumbling overhead.


It was many hours later when Korra joined her teammates on the shore after having navigated the crashing waves of the normally calm waters surrounding her home. She'd once again left Naga on the island—the polar bear dog was simply too obvious. They set off on foot, their destination being the industrial sector.

Night had fallen long ago. They had an hour and a half to find the meeting point for the Revelation the Second, and conversation was strictly limited to their mission.

"He lights the way for his fellow Equalists," Korra muttered in contemplation. They'd passed several darkened restaurants and dwindling food vendors and darted into an alleyway so nobody could eavesdrop.

"Everything is lit up." Bolin peered out, considering the numerous lanterns that lined the streets. There were fewer people outside so late at night; the darker it became, the more dangerous. "We're still in too populated of an area. More than just Equalists are here."

As if on cue, a passing bender snapped his fingers and used the flame that appeared to roast some skewered meat. "They barely cook it," he grumbled to himself. He glanced at them weirdly but hurried along.

"You're right. Let's keep heading west."

They wove their way through the alleyways, and it grew steadily quieter and darker the deeper they traveled into the industrial sector. All traces of life vanished, and the warmth of activity fizzled into silent, biting cold. The buildings, ominous and towering voids, blocked their view of the sky. All they could hear was their own breathing and their footsteps slapping against the cobblestones. They squinted through the inky blackness, searching for anything to give them a clue.

With her hands out in front of her, cautious of obstacles, Korra led the way. She slid her palms over a wall, following it until it opened up on a street. She huffed an exasperated sigh, wishing she could use her firebending to better see, as she stumbled over a crack in the ground.

"Do you see anything ahead?"

"No, not yet…" she muttered. "Can't see anything."

To make matters worse, Korra felt drops of rainwater pelt her from above. Water was infinitely more annoying when she couldn't bend it; she glowered at the nothingness stretching ahead of her, tugging her hat lower over her face. She hurried her steps, cautious but gaining distance at a faster rate. When they ducked around another corner, Korra froze, exhaling in delight. "Do you see that?"

Mako and Bolin glanced over her shoulders, and their faces twisted into identical expressions of relief.

"He lights the way for his fellow Equalists." She nudged them both. "C'mon, fellow Equalists."

They darted past the first glass-enclosed lantern, the dancing flame casting long shadows ahead of them. In the distance, they could just barely spot another lantern beckoning them forward. The rain grew fiercer as they neared the assembly.

When they turned yet another corner, Korra immediately flattened herself against the left wall, edging forward, with the brothers following her lead. She nodded her head at the beacon ahead of them—the most inviting sight they'd beheld since beginning their traversal of the industrial sector. The building's entrance was bathed in a circle of orange light by four lanterns, and a lone figure stood guard at the closed doors.

There was a dip in the wall, and they crowded into it, melding seamlessly with the shadow.

"Korra, how are we supposed to get in there?" Mako whispered in the Avatar's ear, his warm breath fanning over her skin. The alcove was narrow, and he was pressed against her to stay hidden.

Korra enjoyed the firebender's proximity and basked in the heat seeping through her damp clothing and bringing life back into her chilled limbs. She suppressed a sigh of pleasure and was snapped out of her daze when Bolin, squeezed against her other side, muttered, "I don't suppose Amon put you on tonight's guest list. A disguise is worn so you can be someone you're not, and, tonight, you're not the Avatar."

"Bolin, I seriously doubt Amon told his Avatar-hating guards to let me to stroll right into their meeting. The entire point of him leading their revolution is that we're enemies. Heh, I can hear him now…" She cleared her throat and imitated, in a deep and silky voice, "'Avatar, there's a very special entrance for you. We nonbenders refuse to sully ourselves with your filth, so I expect you to dramatically crash through the ceiling.'"

Bolin snickered, regarding her fondly. "Yeah, of course, that's always an option, but we're supposed to be stealthy this time. There's nothing he gave to you that can count as an invitation? How do the new recruits get in, then?"

"You said you went to a recruitment rally. Did they give you anything there?"

Korra slid her eyes closed briefly to think back. "I got there, and it took a while to get started. They passed around some papers—oh. Maybe that's it."

"All right, where'd you put yours? …Don't tell me you left it on the island."

"I didn't leave it anywhere. I think it's… hmm…" She wiggled an arm out from behind Bolin and explored her right pocket, which only contained Amon's note to her. Shaking her head and nearly smacking both of her companions with her untied bangs, she wrenched her other arm out so she could search her left pocket. Her fingers brushed against another piece of paper, which she immediately pulled out and unfolded. She dared to produce the tiniest flame on her fingertip so they could read it. "Yeah, here it is. I wore this coat at the rally. I guess I put this paper in my pocket without even thinking about it."

I was so distracted by AmonI'd almost forgotten, she mused, choosing to keep the shameful sentiment to herself.

"It doesn't strictly say it's an invitation," she said, scanning the text, "but that's probably as a safety precaution in case it falls into the wrong hands." When Bolin suddenly elbowed her in the side, she grunted and glared at him.

"Sorry," he whispered sheepishly. "It's really cramped in here. I'm starting to ache."

"Seconded." Mako winced when his hand brushed against Korra's leg. "…Sorry."

"I think Amon told everyone else where the meeting was, but I was only given hints," she said, ignoring their discomfort and extinguishing her flame. "I don't know for sure if this'll work, but it's the only thing I have."

"So, we're going to pretend to be your strong, roguish, devastatingly handsome brothers, and, together, we're joining the Equalists. Yep, sounds good to me."

"Make sure you keep it toned down; we need to be inconspicuous," Mako scolded. Slipping out of the alcove, he gestured for them to follow him across the street.

Korra, mourning the loss of heat, hurried after Mako, with Bolin behind her. A subtle flare of firebending temporarily fixed the issue, but, with the storm hammering down, drenching them, it quickly became useless. She shivered in both anticipation and the cold night air as they approached the hulking guard.

The Avatar startled slightly when a soft scarf, having been warmed with firebending, was laid over her shoulders. She glanced up at Mako, but he avoided her bemused stare.

"I thought you might be cold."

"Thanks, big brother," she said, playing along. She folded both of her arms around those of her 'brothers,' pulling them close under the awning of the entryway. "Look, we're finally here! I hope it's warmer inside."

Bolin tipped his hat at the guard and flashed a winning smile. "Heya! How about that crazy rain, eh? I was beginning to think we wouldn't make it in time. Thought there'd be more people out."

"You're not late," the man responded, dispassionate. He held out an expectant hand, studying their expressions.

"Oh, he must want the invitation." Korra chortled, an awkwardly forced sound to her ears, and placed the paper on his palm. "I went home after the rally and told my brothers about it. Is it okay if they join me?"

The guard glanced at the paper before meeting Korra's wide eyes. "We don't make a habit of turning away recruits, especially in such heavy rain. But, if you bring any other people next time, make sure you have an invitation for everyone."

"Of course! Next time, I promise everyone will have the necessary paperwork." Grateful, she grinned at him.

"All right, go in and find a spot in the crowd. Be quiet and respectful while Amon speaks."

"Absolutely. We want to hear everything he has to say." Mako led his companions inside. Only once they had left the scrutinizing atmosphere did they sigh in relief at their success—plus, it was much warmer inside.

There were two wide double doors at the end of the rug that stretched the length of the room, and they opened up on the main hall. At both sides of the doors were staircases, which led to balconies overlooking the crowd. The Equalists who had claimed the first few balconies were thoroughly distracted, immersed in conversation with each other.

"I think I'd prefer a balcony seat," Korra whispered, slinking toward the left-hand stairs, leaving a puddle of water in her wake. With a smile, she buried her face in Mako's scarf. The brothers kept in step closely behind her, and they passed the balconies until they reached the end, which was devoid of any Equalists. Settling against the railing, they had a perfect, unobstructed view of the stage.

"Look at them all," Mako muttered. The crowd below them was wildly enthusiastic, filling the air with clamor. Faces shone with hope and loyalty. "It's hard to believe there are this many people who blindly follow Amon."

"This isn't even all of them, I'm sure. Their numbers just keep growing," Korra said.

"What draws them in? What do they get out of this?"

"I've heard the Equalists provide a place to live and three meals a day if they agree to fight."

"And if they can't fight?"

Korra looked toward the stage, which was covered by a curtain and propaganda posters. "Well, in their eyes, it's better than throwing themselves at the mercy of benders—you know, the ones who start the wars, take advantage of weakness, and force nonbenders out of their homes."

"Know what would be hilarious?" Bolin quipped. "If they thought Amon was a bender. His little revolution would fall apart completely."

"Yeah, if only," Mako agreed. "I'd like to see him explain his way out of that. They wouldn't give him a second thought."

The Avatar smirked. "He would just tell them the spirits gave him a special kind of bending to counter benders—which makes it okay."

As the group snickered, the room suddenly grew silent.

Equalists were emerging from the door at the side of the stage, Amon included. He briefly spoke with his lieutenant, who nodded. With a flourish, the masked man brought all attention upon himself. "Brothers and sisters, I warmly welcome you to the Revelation the Second." He paused to allow the room to explode into applause. "Revolution is upon us!" Again, applause filled the high ceilings of the hall.

"We just started. At this rate, he won't be able to get more than one sentence out before his followers wet themselves in excitement," Bolin mocked, which drew stifled laughter from Korra.

"I'm ecstatic to see so many of you here tonight. Most of you have never had the opportunity to see firsthand just how much power we nonbenders hold, so I will use this time we have together to extinguish all doubt… with this hand." He held up his right hand in demonstration. "This is all I need to crush every bender into submission. There's no reason to fear them, and there's certainly no reason to allow them to trample through your lives any longer. All you need to worry about is learning to accept them as brethren… after I've taken their bending away forever!"

At the wave of Amon's hand, the curtain parted, revealing four terrified men, clad in Water Tribe garments, restrained against thick poles with copious amounts of rope. Their hands were purple, making bending impossible, and their huddled forms cast shadows over the thin rice paper wall behind them. The rowdy crowd jeered at their expense.

"Let's welcome our guests, the Red Monsoon Triad. As you can see, they're thoroughly tied up and won't be performing any manner of waterbending. Now, if I wanted to terrorize people as they do, I would leave them like this, unable to defend themselves. But I'm not here to terrorize; I'm here to bring about equality, so we'll meet on even ground."

The first man was cut free, and he dropped to his knees, whipping his head up to glare at Amon in equal parts anger and fear. Standing, he frantically rubbed the circulation back into his hands and watched as the Equalist leader, unhurried, with his arms swinging at his sides, approached him. A bucket of water was kicked toward the waterbender, and it toppled over, flooding the stage. The water was quickly drawn into the air in a protective swirl around the gang member, who hardened it into smooth ice with a fierce exhale—before tearing it apart into long, thin spikes and rapidly hurling them across the stage.

Amon dodged out of the path of each knifepoint, flinging himself from side to side, as he steadily gained distance on his opponent. The icicles sliced through the air, inches away from him, and he leaped over the final one, just as the projectiles started battering the far metal wall in a deafening cacophony, denting it beyond repair. Dropping in front of the powerless gang member, to the rabid fervor of his cheering audience, he swept his legs out from under him and sent him crashing to the stage.

Before he could recover from the teeth-rattling impact of his fall, the waterbender found himself seized by the back of his neck in an iron grip. Amon's armored knees dug into the back of his thighs, keeping him trapped against the stage. He let out a desperate yell and writhed against his attacker.

"Your efforts have been in vain, waterbender, and I've given you one chance to defend yourself. From this moment on, you will live your life like the rest of us do: as a nonbender." Amon laid his thumb on the horrified man's forehead, and, in that very same instant, it was over. He released him and climbed to his feet, motioning for the stage to be flooded with water once again.

The gang member rolled over and threw a hand out to manipulate the water. He ripped at the air with his fingers again and again—but nothing happened. Equalists moved to drag him off the stage, his screams disappearing when the door swung shut behind him.

Korra, frozen with abject terror, couldn't tear her eyes away from the spectacle. "He… took his bending away. With his thumb."

"I can't believe… What did I just watch…" Mako stammered.

Bolin was surprisingly speechless.

"We have to do something! I won't stand here and watch him destroy all those benders' lives like they're spectacles to ogle!" Korra rushed away from the balcony without waiting for the brothers to catch up with her. Hurrying back to the lobby, she swiveled her head around, searching for a way to get backstage.

Spotting a nondescript door that blended with the wall, she ripped it open and darted inside. She followed the copper pipes lining the walls and ceiling, pushing onward through scalding clouds of steam and swiping at her sweating forehead. When she came to the end, there were two doorways waiting for her. The first door, she speculated, led to the stage, so the second doorway had to be what she was looking for.

Cautiously, she opened it and found herself in a room behind the rice paper backdrop. The exaggerated shadows of Amon appealing to his crowd greeted her, and she ducked low, moving toward the elevated stage. Three dark shapes were still side-by-side and tied up, so she had some time to think. She plopped down and clenched her eyes shut.

"What to do… what to do…" she whispered to herself. "How do I untie the benders without alerting the Equalists? Ugh, it's impossible!"

Her eyes drifted open, and she was drawn to the very animated way Amon's arms lifted above his head, dropped back to his sides—how they were thrown in opposite directions as he paced in front of the crowd. She chewed anxiously on her lip. A slow dripping noise alerted her to the presence of water on the stage.

Know what would be hilarious? If they thought Amon was a bender. His little revolution would fall apart completely.

That's brilliant, Bolin! she thought triumphantly.

"…know all of you are wondering how I could hope to equalize all the benders in the world. It'll be a very slow process, but I'm prepared to devote my life to seeing it through."

Korra crawled up onto the stage, directly behind Amon. She mimicked his stance and raised her hands as he did. The giant puddle stirred restlessly at their feet.

The second waterbender was cut from his bonds.

"I'll do what I can, one day at a time. Now, without further delay, I will demonstrate my power once again."

Amon raised his arms, holding his hands aloft, and Korra did the same. The water flew up from its resting spot and surrounded him. It was motionless, an entity awaiting instruction.

A deathly silence claimed the crowd.

For a few tense seconds, the masked man did nothing. Then, slowly, his arms dropped to his sides. Korra released the water, and it noisily showered the stage.

The waterbender saw his chance and struck a hand out, wrapping the water around Amon's ankles and yanking him down onto his back. "You should've known not to mess with us!"

With a sharp exhalation and a subtle flick of his fingers, Amon forced the grip of water to bend to him and release his ankles. He pushed himself upright, and, in a flash, he had wrenched the waterbender's arms behind his back. "You were certainly eager for this to happen. I'd barely finished my sentence before you had the water around me. It doesn't surprise me that you find it to be something to gloat about."

It was disturbingly easy for the spectators to disregard what they saw with their own eyes, instead falling back into their shouts of encouragement when the man's bending was swiftly taken, the same as the first.

Amon faced his followers and announced, "I'll need a few moments before I continue. Please take this time to enjoy a variety of refreshments that will be passed around."

His lieutenant intercepted him and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Is something wrong? Why are we taking a break?"

"I need to compose myself."

"All right. Do what you need to do, and I'll speak for a while."

Meanwhile, Korra hopped off the stage and took a few steps backward, dismayed that her plan had failed. She hadn't counted on the waterbender attacking so quickly and making it appear as if he were doing it the entire time. Perhaps she could try again when Amon returned, before they released the third Red Monsoon Triad member? It was worth a try, since it appeared that he had no idea what happ—

She collided with something solid and breathing.

"That was quite sneaky, Avatar. Welcome, by the way."