Korra and Sora rode to the arena on Naga's back.
"No way," Korra chuckled.
"I may not have that Time Traveler's sixth sense anymore but I'm telling you that's what is going to happen," Sora said.
Sora stepped aside and placed a hand on the ladder leading to Mako and Bolin's apartment.
"Ladies first," Sora said with a smile. Korra placed her hands on her hips and cocked a brow, "…what?" Sora asked his smile widening. Korra just sighed and started to climb.
As Sora got to the top he heard a high pitched voice.
"Come on Korra. Come spend some time at Asami's fancy house," the voice said.
Korra laughed, "Alright Pabu…you win," Korra replied.
"You guys want some help moving?" Sora asked. Mako, Bolin, Asami, and Kanade looked at each other.
"Um…sure," Mako and Bolin said together.
As Korra left Sora leaned towards her and kissed her on the cheek, "I'll meet you at Asami's?" Sora asked. Korra smiled and nodded as she went down the ladder.
At this time Cabbage corp. was being raided and subsequently shut down by Republic City PD for Equalist ties.
Korra walked through the Sato mansion escorted by the butler. They came to the pool hall.
"The Avatar has arrived," he said bowing his head.
"Hey! Korra!" Asami exclaimed.
"Hey; Nice place you got," Korra said looking around.
Kanade swam past Mako and to the edge where Korra stood.
"It turns out Asami never asked her dad if we could stay here," Kanade chuckled looking at Asami with a smirk.
"Well…asking forgiveness is easier than asking for permission," Asami retorted.
Korra looked around, "Where's Sora? I thought he'd be here," Korra asked.
"Right here babe," Sora suddenly said as he stepped out of the pool in nothing but a pair of swim trunks. He grabbed a towel from the nearby table and toweled himself off. As he dried his hair the group notices the numerous scars across Sora's chest; then when the towel was lowered the scars on his face became more noticeable.
Sora walked out of the room towards the locker room with the towel on his shoulder.
Korra followed him out of the pool hall. As they left Bolin got a wide smile on his face which didn't go unnoticed by Mako.
"What are you planning?" Mako whispered. Bolin just signaled for his brother to be quiet. Bolin dove under the water and swam straight for Kanade. Kanade was floating in the center of the pool. Bolin swam right between her legs and lifted Kanade out of the water.
"Hey there!" Bolin laughed, "What are you doing over here all by yourself?"
Kanade laughed as the two went tumbling back under the water. Mako laughed at his brother's antics.
Mako swam to Asami, "Let's give those two a few minutes alone shall we?" Mako said with a smile. Asami giggled to herself and followed Mako out of the pool
When they emerged Kanade had Bolin in a Full Nelson.
"Challenging a waterbender to a wrestling match in a pool…you didn't think this through did you Bolin?" Kanade asked.
"No not really…" Bolin said with a smile. With all his strength he lifted Kanade off the bottom of the pool. Kanade lost her grip and Bolin grabbed her in a bear hug, "I like improvising," Bolin said. Kanade squirmed out of the hold and froze him in a block of ice.
"Hey!" Bolin exclaimed.
"What?" Kanade said.
"Could you thaw me out please?" Bolin asked.
"Why should I?" Kanade asked, leaning towards Bolin; her hands on her hips and a big smile on her face.
Bolin smiled, "Come closer and I'll tell you," he said and Kanade leaned in closer, "no, no, closer still." Kanade leaned in and Bolin kissed her. The ice block melted as she did.
Bolin looked around and chuckled, "Wow, what do you know? Waterbending done by an earthbender."
Kanade blushed and walked towards her room to change. Bolin smiled big and followed her.
Few minutes later Sora and Sonic found the rest of the Krew at what looked like a race track. Sora saw Korra walking out to the cars with Asami. Sonic smiled and leapt over the railing as the two cars zipped by, one with Korra and Asami in it and the other with one of the Sato family's workers driving. Sonic looked back and forth across the race field.
"Whoa…that looks like fun," Sonic joked. Sora laughed at his friend's comment while joining Korra and her friends in the bleachers.
"…let's do it!" Korra said excitedly. Korra and Asami went down to the track. Sonic decided to join the two cars in the race, Sora sat with Kanade, Bolin, and Mako in the bleacher. As the two cars and Sonic took off Sora's attention was suddenly diverted to the field just outside of the track, behind the starting line. Sora stood, the scent of darkness washed over the bleachers; only he could detect it. Suddenly through the outer fence crashed a large Heartless. About half again as big as a Large Body, however this beast was on all fours. It proceeded to gallop after the racers. Sora stood swiftly before his three friends saw the creature. When Sora vaulted over the railing then they took notice.
"Sora?! What are you…" Bolin trailed off when he saw the Heartless he was chasing. The creature bypassed the Future Industries worker's car and went straight for Korra and Asami's car. Sora leapt forward with all of his might and landed on the back of the worker's car.
"We need to stop that thing!" the worker exclaimed.
Sora smiled, "Drive this thing right between that thing's legs. I've got an idea," Sora said. When the car was positioned between the creature's legs, Sora simultaneously wrenched up the parking brake and cranked the steering wheel hard to the left. Sora grabbed the driver and quickly leapt away. When the car turned the Heartless tripped and skidded on the black top. Korra and Asami drove to safety. The worker sprinted to safety after Sora put him down. Sora drew the Ends of the Earth and slowly approached the Heartless. The Heartless woke up and lunged at Sora. This awarded it with a Keyblade square between its bright yellow eyes. The creature slumped over and faded, Sora flicked the darkness residue off of the Keyblade and proceeded to dismiss it. Sora ran to Korra as she exited the car and scooped her up in a tight embrace.
"Are you alright?" Sora asked as he put the young Avatar down.
"Yes babe, I'm fine," Korra answered looking Sora up and down, "but it looks like that outfit could use a good washing after that scuffle." Sora looked down and saw that she was right. His jacket and shorts were covered in splotches of soot.
Sora chuckled sheepishly, "Asami, do you have a shower I could use?" Sora asked.
Asami put her hand to her mouth and giggled a bit.
"Yeah, when you enter the house, go up the stairs and it's the 4th door on your right. Korra if you want there is a ladies powder room right across the hall," Asami directed.
"Thanks," Sora said unclipping his jacket and shrugging it off. Korra stared at the now shirtless Sora for a moment. Sora flung the garment over his shoulder and looked to Korra offering his hand.
"Shall we?" Sora said. Korra laughed as she took Sora's hand.
Later as Korra left the powder room she saw Sora standing outside Hiroshi Sato's office with two fingers on the door. Sora saw her and placed a finger on his lips, signaling her to keep quiet. After another minute Sora swiftly walked away from the door with Korra under his arm.
Later the Lin and Tenzin arrived with Sora in tow.
"Sora what's going on here?" Korra asked.
"I have reason to suspect Hiroshi of working with the Equalists," Sora said.
"What?!" Asami snapped.
"How could you Sora?" Korra growled. They all followed Lin and Tenzin up to Hiroshi's office.
Asami swung the door open hard.
"Lies! My father would never support the Equalists," Asami blurted out.
"What? Is that what this is about?"
"I overheard you talking to someone on the phone. I believe your words were '…don't worry about it. Wait a little longer, before long we'll be able to strike.' Or am I mistaken?" Sora said, folding his arms across his chest.
Hiroshi laughs.
"This is just a misunderstanding. I was talking with an associate about "striking" the market with a new line of Satomobiles; now that my competitor Cabbage Corp is out. But if you want to search our warehouses go ahead, I have nothing to hide." Hiroshi explained. Sora arched a brow; he then turned and left the room.
"Sora what is with you?" Korra asked, "Hiroshi lets us stay in his home and you accuse him of working with Amon."
"I couldn't care less about Amon. He isn't a threat, the fact that Vanitas works with the Equalists means that they a threat. Not just to this world, but to all." Sora explained.
"I'm sorry but if you keep this up we're through. My friends have nowhere to go and you are falsely accusing a man who gladly opened his home to them," Korra scolded.
"I'm sorry Korra. But I will do anything to protect this world," Sora said, "I have to seek out a friend of mine. He'll either clear Sato's name or implicate him in all of this." a single tear rolling down his cheek as he kissed the Avatar on her forehead, "I truly am sorry Korra." Sora walked out and the mansion's doors closing slowly behind him.
Sora went to the homeless community under the city and retrieved the cloak and mask from his Reaper persona.
"I know I still owe you one dinner Gommu, the Reaper is needed one last time before I fulfill my promise to you my friend," Sora said lifting his hood. He placed the mask on.
"The city's at war. I think we can wait a little longer," Gommu said.
Sora started tracking an Equalist spy as he watched him leave the Sato Mansion when everyone except Asami left. Sora ended up at the last of the warehouse searches. Sora landed and tripped up the Equalist. The Krew turned suddenly and saw the Reaper (Sora) holding a man over his shoulder. The Reaper threw him down.
"You're looking in the wrong place for Future Industries and Equalist ties." Sora said, disguising his voice, "I watched this man leave the Sato mansion just as soon as you all were gone," Sora explained.
"This is just a warehouse worker," Korra said.
"If this is so…" Sora started as he ripped the worker's bag off, he dug through it and threw some things out of it, "why does he have an Equalist glove weapon, an Equalist mask and other thing like this in his 'workbag'?" Sora asked.
Sora grabbed the man by the collar.
"What is Sato's link to the Equalists?" he growled, "WHAT IS IT?"
"He makes those gloves, and the word is that he's working on an even more powerful weapon," the frightened man whimpered, "that's all I know I swear!"
"It's time to pay Sato a visit," the Reaper said as he dropped the frightened Equalist.
The Reaper kicked open the door to the main guest room of the Sato mansion.
"What is it this time?" Asami growled.
"We have discovered your father does have ties to the Equalists," the Reaper explained, "if that is the case he can lead us straight to that monster Vanitas."
"Where is your father?" Lin asked.
"Out back in his workshop," Asami answered.
The whole group entered the workshop only to find it empty.
"Maybe that Equalist misled us after all," Lin said. The Reaper simply walked into the center of the room. He threw his fist down and the metal floor buckled. The Reaper withdrew his hand, now bloodied, and pointed.
"Chief if you'd be so kind as to bend the door off the tunnel please," he said.
Suddenly Korra noticed the gloves the Reaper was wearing, Sora's. She didn't say anything though.
Lin ripped the section of floor up and The Reaper raced down the tunnel. The police officers followed and Korra as well. When Kanade, Asami, Mako and Bolin tried an officer stopped them.
"Your friend Sora gave us instructions to keep you all safe," the officer said.
The Reaper walked down the stairs after the tram stopped. Korra, Tenzin, Lin and her officers followed closely. Lin looked over to the large machines on the side of the room.
"I guess those are Sato's machines," Lin observed.
Suddenly a metal wall closed behind them. Lin tried to bend it out of the way but it didn't even budge.
"Don't bother Chief Bei Fong. It's solid Platinum. Not even your esteemed mother could bend metal so pure," Sato's said, seemingly from every direction. Suddenly the group was illuminated by the spotlights mounted on Sato's machines.
"So you were working for Amon! Sora was right!" Korra barked angrily, "Come out here Hiroshi!"
"So you can do what? Attack me with your bending?" Hiroshi scoffed, "I think I'll retain my advantage. These mechatanks are platinum as well; you'll find I'm almost invincible."
Suddenly one of the other Equalist's Mechs emitted a loud "THUNK" sound. Everyone turned to sound and saw the Reaper on top of the machine. He raised his hand to the heavens and the Chaos Ripper keyblade appeared. The blade passed through the armor as though it weren't even there. The Reaper tossed the keyblade away and grabbed the edges of the breach. He proceeded to rip the armor asunder, slivers of platinum rained around the mechatank. The Reaper grabbed the Equalist from the pilot's seat. The Mechatank's arms slumped down and its lights shut off.
"I don't care about Hiroshi. I just followed a trail," the Reaper started, "Now Amon's attack dog. Where is VANITAS!" the Reaper roared.
"Get away from him you filthy bender!" Hiroshi yelled. The Mechatank raced at him and swung its claw arm. The Reaper was sent flying and his mask flew straight up. The Reaper landed face down, the hood still covering his head. The Equalists proceeded with subduing the rest of the group. Unbeknownst to the group Asami, Mako, and Bolin had snuck in and were watching.
"I'd that was a worthy test run," Hiroshi laughed. Mako and Bolin were trying to get away with Tenzin, Lin, and Korra.
"Not so fast you two…" the familiar voice of Vanitas said.
Hiroshi, Vanitas and Amon's lieutenant blocked their escape. Vanitas stood between the two with his arms folded, Hiroshi wore a pair of shock gloves but these had claws on the fingertips and the Lieutenant had his signature electric kali sticks
"Dad!" Asami exclaimed. Hiroshi looked genuinely shocked.
"Asami…I had hoped to not bring you into this. These benders…they…they took your mother. Amon is making the world a better place. Please…" Hiroshi said as he took off one glove and handed it to Asami. Before she could grab it a hand grabbed Hiroshi's shirt from behind. The shrouded, unmasked face of the Reaper appeared behind him.
"YOU'RE MINE!" he growled. Hiroshi shouted as he was flung like a ragdoll across the vast room. As the Reaper approached Hiroshi, Korra and Tenzin regained consciousness and watched. In one hand a flame of light energy, in the other a dark Firaga. The conflicting forces started to dissolve the Reaper's cloak from the feet and it worked its way up. Korra instantly recognized the outfit as Sora's. When the cloak was gone Sora was left in an outfit similar to his Drive Form outfit; however this one had a black upper body with black and purple tripps. Sora stopped and shot his hand up, the Reaper mask landed perfectly between his fingers.
Sora placed the mask in the pouch at his hip as the Chaos Ripper returned to his hand. Suddenly Sora sensed motion behind him and spun around in time to intercept Vanitas. Sora deflected the Void Gear and grabbed Vanitas' wrist. Vanitas was then flung against the nearest mechatank sending them both sprawling to the ground. Sora ran to the Krew and picked up Chief Bei Fong.
"Let's get out of here for now," Sora said. Sora extended his hand and the Lanes Between opened. The Krew stepped through and found themselves on the surface. They retreated by way of Police airship.
"We were wrong about the Reaper...er...I mean Sora," Lin said, "You were trying to help all along."
"You would've known that sooner but you were too busy giving me these," Sora joked pointing to the multiple small scars on his face. Sora chuckled and walked off. Sora stopped at the front window and looked over the shining city. Kanade, Mako and Asami noticed Korra with a worried look on her face looking out the side window. Kanade tapped her little sister on the shoulder.
"What's wrong Korra?" she asked. Korra looked up, tears in her eyes.
"I drove Sora away because I thought he was obsessed with exposing Hiroshi. And he only wanted to find that monster Vanitas," Korra said, "I don't know if he'd forgive me."
"Korra. You clearly don't know a lot about men. We don't hold grudges often," Mako said, "It doesn't matter what world or time he's from." Korra smiled and Mako motioned her towards Sora.
Korra walked nervously walked up to Sora.
"Um…Sora…I just wanted to apologi…" Korra started. Sora then cut her off.
"No need. I should have shared everything with you, my work against the equalists, conflicts with the police force, everything. Discovering Hiroshi's connection with Amon was just an added bonus. I needed to flush Vanitas out, when I realized your safety was a greater priority I abandoned my pursuit" Sora explained.
"What about me? About us?" Korra asked.
"If you want it'll be like nothing happened," Sora said as he turned to the Avatar with a smile on his face. Korra's face lit up with a smile. Sora embraced the Avatar as they looked over the city together.
At an undisclosed location…
Amon looked out of a window over Republic City.
"So we have new weapons, new allies; now is the time to strike at the heart of this infested city," Amon said. Vanitas sat across the room without his helmet on; his feet on a table. Another person walked in, donned in a black hood.
"Amon, my forces are ready" he said.
Amon chuckled, "Good, send the word. We move midday tomorrow," Amon ordered.