Greetings, benders and non-benders from across the Verse and welcome to Avatar: Duality.
I hope your all going to enjoy it as much as I had writing it and now on to the reviews.
girani4: Ah I see. I don't think at this point Soshi is going to cross that line, though I have been know to change events in my stories later. Happy to hear you like it, and I have been updating my other stories.
TragicFiction: Sorry for the torture.
Lelouch of Zero: Thanks! I hope I can keep you entertained.
Now story time.
Soshi's felt very groggy as he laid there with his eyes closed. His limbs felt like lead, his eyelids too heavy to lift. He wanted to lie here, on this comfortable bed, forever.
Suddenly he felt a surge and his brain moved faster, and as it did, he opened his eyes. Everything was slightly blurred. He was lying in his dark bedroom, he could make out Mitsuzo sitting bend over in a chair next to his bed.
Groaning, he moved his head over on the pillow.
"Your awake!", Mitsuzo said relieved, looking up, "...Soshi, what do you think your doing?"
Soshi was sitting up, "Where's Korra?", he said, standing up from his bed, he felt that is side was covered in bandage, "Is she safe? Is she alright?"
"She is currently resting in the Lair with Naga. She was exhausted and slightly could, but she'll live.", Mitsuzo said as he watched his ward put his damaged Vigilante uniform on, "Your lucky Naga brought you two here, or else you would be waking up in a prison hospital."
"I was expecting to wake up in one.", Soshi said, picking up his helmet, "I am going to check up on her. Stay out of sight.", he placed his helmet on before heading down to his secret chamber.
"Before you go, Soshi. There's something I want to talk with you about.", Mitsuzo said, "I know it was a stressful situation, but you were taking it too far, when your out on the streets, you don't stop being Soshi Shuang and become an animal. That lieutenant, you nearly killed him last night."
"He's still alive, isn't he?", Vigilante said, scaring the butler a bit by how indifferent he sounded to it.
"And in the hospital.", Mitsuzo said, "Next time it might be the morgue. Resorting to torture... That's not the true nature of a Shuang."
"Well what is?", Vigilante growled, "Giving everything to this city and then being murdered for it!?"
"My thoughts exactly every time you leave in that costume!", Mitsuzo shouted back, taking the boy behind the mask aback, "Your a good man, Soshi, just like your parents. Remember that."
Korra lay flat on her back, breathing hard as though she had been running. She had awoken laying on a bed in a some sort of secret hideout. She sat up, and immediately she felt the wet tongue of Naga.
"Hey girl.", she said, petting her friend, "Where are we?"
"Your in my hideout."
To her right, near the archive where a tray with a steaming pot of tea and two cups, a chair turned around revealing the Vigilante, without his hood and the part of his outfit that made up his wing-suit.
"Once your ready, I will take you and Naga back to Air Temple Island.", he growled, standing up from his chair, "The other's are worried about you."
"How long have I been out?", Korra asked, watching the Vigilante walk over to her with the trey.
"It's early in the morning.", he growled, as he began pouring tea.
"How are you going to drink that with the...", she waved around her face, indicating his helmet.
He raised a finger, but lowered it when he realized she had a good point. Handing her a cup, "So this is the place you live in?", she said.
"It's my hideout or Lair, when I need to get away from the world.", Vigilante whispered, standing up, checking his equipment, making sure his wrist bands are filled so he had a way home after bringing Korra back.
"I have been meaning to ask.", she said, but he didn't turn to look at her, "How come you can bend two elements."
Vigilante breath deeply, putting his wristbands on, "I... Don't know.", he admitted, "One day I woke up, and I found out I could bend water and fire."
"I see...", she said, finishing up her tea, "Thanks for saving me again, seems you have a thing for it."
"Only because you keep getting into trouble.", he growled which could be mistaken for a chuckle as he turned back to her, "I think it's best we get you back to Air Temple Island. The other's are worried about you, enough so that Beifong willingly called a truce between us."
She looked happy for a moment, before asking, "Even Soshi? Soshi Shuang?"
"What about him?", he asked.
"He... He is my best friend...", Korra said, turning her gaze away from him, "I was wondering... If he was looking for me as well."
"He has been spending the night out looking for you.", he said, walking over to Naga to put on her saddle, "Don't be so surprised. I keep an eye on everyone who is worth something in this city."
"Is it because he is suspected of being an Equalist!?", Korra said, defensively.
"No, it's because he is the riches man in Republic City, maybe even the world. I don't trust anyone who has that much money.", he said simply, before taking a communicator from, "Beifong, can you hear me?"
"Vigilante, where are you?", the voice of Beifong come through it.
"Meet me behind the pro-bending arena in fifteen minutes.", he told them, before turning it off.
A short ride on Naga later, the two found Tenzin, Beifong, Mako, Bolin, and Asami already waiting for them behind the pro-bending arena. Upon spotting them, the Vigilante dismounts Naga just as Tenzin and Beifong came running up to them.
"Korra! Oh, thank goodness.", Tenzin said.
"Where's Tarrlok?", Beifong asked to the young man in black, "How did you get away?"
But before Vigilante could answer these questions, Mako shoves Beifong and Tenzin aside, "Give her some space!", he said, he was about to reach and pull Korra into his arms but Vigilante stepped between them.
"Out of the way.", the young firebender said, sounding almost as if giving an order.
"No.", Vigilante growled, spotting the Sato heiress behind a confused looking Bolin, a pained expression on her beautiful face.
"I said out of the way!", Mako threaten, "Or I'll make you move."
Vigilante merely chuckled, "I'd like to see you try.", he growled, "And I hope you make that first hit count. Because that's the only one you get."
Before more could be said, Vigilante shot a water tendril up to one of the roofs, pulling himself up before swinging away.
Soshi wearing his black formal suit under a black longcoat and carrying a bouquet of flower's as he walked over the courtyard on Air Temple Island where Naga and Pabu are curled up resting.
Walking through the hall he spotted Asami, peeking into Korra's room, she looks down and sadly leaves. As he reached it, he peeked inside to see Korra lying asleep in bed with her hair all undone, as Mako watches over her, holding her hand.
Later that day, Korra chows down on food while sitting at a table in the dinning hall with Soshi, Bolin, Mako, Asami, Tenzin, Beifong, and Pema. The flower's Soshi bought sitting in a pretty nice vase.
"The food tastes amazing, Pema.", Korra said, "I'm finally starting to feel like myself again."
"We're so happy your safe.", Pema said, standing up to retrieve Korra's cleaned plate, "Thank goodness for the Vigilante."
"Let me help.", Soshi said, standing up to assist Pema.
"No, it's alright, Soshi.", Pema said gently, "Your a guest, you should spend time with the other kids.", before walking to the kitchen.
Soshi sat back down as Tenzin began to speak, "Korra, I realize you've been through a lot, but I need to know everything that happened."
"Well, first off, Tarrlok isn't who he says he is.", Korra began, "He's Yakone's son."
Tenzing and Beifong seemed shocked at this revelation, Soshi acted this way as well while he thought, "That makes sense. That's how he was able to bloodbend without a full moon."
"But how did you escape?", Tenzin asked, "And where's Tarrlok?"
"I would be somewhere far away or in a Equalist cell if it wasn't for Vigil.", Korra said, "He showed up to the house I was held at, and he managed to resist Tarrlok's bloodbending long enough to knock him out. But Amon captured Tarrlok... I guess he has no bending now..."
Soshi was pleased that when Korra began to praise the Vigilante, something that made Mako have an jealous scowl on his face.
"This is very disturbing news.", Tenzin said, "Amon is becoming emboldened. Taking out a councilman, almost capturing the Avatar... I fear Amon is entering his endgame."
Soshi stood up to see if he could help Pema was, but just as he entered the kitchen, where he saw her washing dishes. She suddenly doubles over and cries out in pain.
"Pema!", he said, quickly rushing over to her, grabbing her shoulder in concern, "Are you all right?"
"The baby is... just kicking, really hard, is all.", Pema said, smiling to try and show she is fine.
"Should I get Tenzin?", Soshi asked.
"No reason to worry him, dear, it's nothing.", she said, just as Asami walks into the kitchen.
"Hey, Soshi.", she began softly, "Can I... Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"I'm... I'm gonna take some fresh air.", Pema said, a grimaces on her face as she leaves.
"Sure Asami, what's is it?", he asked.
"I know you know Korra longer than anyone... And after what my father has done to you, you have no reason to trust me but...", Asami said, sounding concerned, "Do you think there something more going between Korra and Mako than just friends?"
"In all honesty... I think there is...", Soshi said, feeling no need to lie to the young woman in front of him, "I know they kissed during..."
"They... kissed!?", Asami said shocked, "How do you know?"
"Bolin told me when he was drunk on... noodles...", Sosh said, remembering when he had to drive Bolin back home, "Not sure how one accomplish that."
But his little joke didn't seem to calm her at all, so he placed an hand on her shoulder, "Look Asami, if you need to talk, you can always drop by at my office. Or mansion, Mitsuzo would be delighted to have you over."
This seemed to make her feel better if even a little, just as her expression soured again when Mako walks into the kitchen carrying a teapot. "Can I get some hot water? Korra needs more tea.", he said, eyeing Soshi with suspicion.
"You're a firebender.", Asami said angrily, "Boil it yourself."
She turns around as he begins to wash her dish as Mako stare's at her with confusion.
"I am going to say goodbye to Korra.", Soshi said, looking to the watch on his wrist, "My yacht will have to be leaving soon or else I will be late for my meeting with Varrick at the Fire Nation Capital."
He walked out of the kitchen, leaving Mako and Asami to talk.
After saying goodbye to Korra, and promising to bring back presents for the Airbending kids and Bolin. Soshi walked down the stairs leading to the docks where the large Shuang Yacht was waiting for him.
"Hey you!", a voice shouted behind him.
Turning around, Soshi saw an angry Mako walking towards him.
"You do know I have a name... I hope.", Soshi said dryly, once the firebender was standing in front of him.
"Why did you tell Asami about the kiss I had with Korra!?", Mako shouted, ignoring the remark, his body having a very aggressive posture to it.
"I just told her the truth.", Soshi told him calmly, "Something you should have done when you kissed a girl that's not your girlfriend.",
"This was none of your business, Shuang!", Mako told him.
"The moment a friend gets involved, it is my business.", Soshi said, "And I take very good care of my friends."
It seemed Mako couldn't control his anger anymore as he ignited his fist and took a swing at Soshi's face. But before the fist could connect, Soshi side-stepped, grabbing his wrist and slamming him to the ground and pinning him down.
Mako struggled, but quickly began to calm down. "Your done?", Soshi asked, as the Firebender panted heavy onder his leather shoes.
Letting go of his arm, Soshi boarded his yacht not bothering to look if he might have hurt Mako to badly.
A few hours later, a large house in the richer part of Republic City, the Fire Nation representative of the United Republic Council is pacing nervously about the room, while her husband is absorbed in a newspaper.
"Do you know where my keys are?", Councilwoman asked, "I can't find them anywhere!"
The husband who was reading the newspapers, "No, dear.", he said uninterested.
Councilwoman pulled them out of her purse, "Don't wait up for me. This council session will probably go late into the night.", she said before hearing a knock at the front door and rushes to answer it.
The councilwoman opens the door to find two men in uniforms standing on the front step. "We're here to fix a spider-rat problem.", one of them said, holding up a spray hose and poison can.
"I didn't call an exterminator.", Councilwoman said.
But she was suddenly electrocuted with the spray hose, which is actually disguised Equalist equipment. Both step into the house as her body collapsing onto the ground.
Tenzin lands on the roof of City Hall on Oogi. He dismounts and walks around the dome, where several workers are cleaning the glass. They nod at each other as Tenzin passes.
He walks a few steps further, but pauses as he hears the fizz of electricity. He ducks in surprise as an electrified disk spirals over his head, and spins midair as another barely misses him. He lands on his feet as the Equalists in disguise drop to the ground and seize his wrists with bolas.
Tenzin dodges their attacks, and airbends himself high into the air with an air sprout. The Equalist who was still standing on the ground is flung backward against the concrete wall by a gust of wind; he slumps down against it.
Riding his air spout, the two Equalists holding onto their bolas for dear life as they are spun around. Unable to hold on any longer, they release their grip and are flung onto a nearby rooftop. Tenzin lands back on the ground as the door opens and the council page comes out.
Covering his face as the wind dies down, and lowers his arms, "Ah, I'm so relieved to see you!"
"The other council members.", Tenzin said, "Are they all right?"
"I'm afraid not! I just received a call from Chief Saikhan. They've all been captured!", the page said, looking worried, holding his hands out toward him, "The leadership of Republic City is in your hands now."
Tenzin and the page hear the sound of nearby explosions and run to the edge of the roof to see bombs falling onto the city from airships.
"It is a tragic day indeed!", Council page wailed, grabbing his head, just as a bomb was thrown towards them, which began to spit out green gas.
Using airbending, Tenzin dissipated the gas, but it was already too late as three Equalist approached him, as his vision began to blur.
Refusing to let some coward gain the upper hand. Tenzin adopted his stance. But what the Equalist didn't count on was a second opponent appearing from above, using on to break his fall.
Deflecting a strike with his arm, he punched them hard with his free hand, using a water tendril to grab and pull the remaining Equalist toward's him and spin kicking, his boot landing on his head.
"I am glad you alright, Councilman Tenzin.", the growling voice of the Vigilante said as he walked toward the master airbender. "They hit you with a toxic gas that cause blurriness. It should wear off in five minutes or so."
"I need your help, Vigilante.", Tenzin said, "I need to get to Police Headquarter's."
"And my help you will have, Councilman.", Vigilante growled.
Driving through the chaos of the Equalist attack in Vigilante's black tank, Tenzin's vision began to return.
"I was afraid I was too late and you'd been captured too.", Vigilante growled, drifting around a corner, "Amon has launched simultaneous attacks across the boroughs. The police are trying to regain control but they are spread too thin."
They approached the halls of Police Headquarters, as people run in all direction's. "I am going to drop you off and get back out there.", he growled, drifting to a stop as the tank opened.
Tenzin just got out as the top closed again and the tank speed off.
Vigilante came across three mecha tanks deposit their metalbender officers into a truck. Hearing him approach, one mecha tank fires a pincer cable at the tank, but evades it, before a fireblast was send against the mecha tank, forcing it back.
A mecha tank charges toward the Vigilante tank, but was blasted with exploclay. Which ignited in a powerful explosion, rendering it useless, the debris pinning the last one down to the ground.
Vigilante looked out a window to see a burning police airship falling out of sight behind a building. It seemed they got reinforcement as five more mecha tanks surround the tank and close in.
He began to rave his engine, but before he could charge the Satomobile belonging to Asami was knocked into a mecha tank, taking it out.
The Vigilante saw that Team Avatar was surrounded by four mecha tanks. One of them fires a cable, but was rammed to the side by the Vigilante tank, who launched out of his vehicle, blasting a second one with a stream of lightning bending, overheating it.
"He always has to outdo us.", Mako said as they joined the Vigilante in the attack.
Mako attacks a mecha tank, only to be grabbed by a cable and electrocuted. He grabs the cable and redirects the electricity at the mecha tank. The electricity courses through the tank as its lights go out and it slumps on itself.
Korra melts the nearby snow into two water streams and dodges one of the cable and runs up one of Bolin's ramps and bends the water into the exhaust pipes of another mecha tank.
It begins malfunctioning and Bolin uses earthbending to knock it over. Two Equalists have just carried Tenzin to a truck and set him down when Asami electrocutes one from behind.
She takes out five more Equalists as they attack her, nimbly dodging their attacks before electrocuting them.
Tenzin groans and stands, "Thank you.", he said, before joining the Vigilante as he dodge a mecha tank's attacks. Tenzin positions himself beneath the tank and airbends it high into the air, sending it flying into the dome of City Hall.
"Are you alright?", Korra asked as she and the other's rushed over to the Vigilante and Tenzin.
"I'm fine. Thank you, kids. You too Vigilante.", Tenzin said, "Another moment later and I would have been on my way to Amon."
"Guys... look.", Mako said pointing down the street.
Turning into it's direction, they saw an Equalist airship flying towards Air Temple Island.
"Oh no.", Tenzin said horrified.
"We will never make it there in time.", Asami said.
"We can make it.", Vigilante growled, turning around heading towards his tank.
"We're taking the Avenger?", Bolin said, almost with a child-like glee as the Vigilante, who looked over his shoulder, as if asking him what he had called his car.
"Get in.", Vigilante said, sitting in the driver's seat.
Mako goes to sit next to Asami in the front row, but she looks at him with disdain, "Why don't you sit in back? With Korra and Tenzin." she told him, taking a seat next to Bolin.
"I think I will.", Mako said, sitting between Korra and Tenzin.
"Everything all right?", Korra asked.
Mako turns his head to the side, "Yeah, everything is terrific...", he said sarcastically as Vigilante backs up very fast.
"We're taking the Avenger!", Bolin yelled happily, as the tank sped up.
Using one of the boats Vigilante had prepare, the group arrived at the courtyard where they found the Equalist already defeated in the courtyard, the airbending children and Beifong standing among them.
"Dad!", Ikki shouted.
Tenzin embraces his children, "Oh, thank goodness you're all right!", he said as his son climbs onto Tenzin's shoulder and pulls on his father's head.
"We caught the bad guys.", Meelo said proudly.
"You let them fight?", Tenzin said surprised at Beifong, "Do you realize what could have happened?"
"I would have been toast if it weren't for your kids. You should be proud. You taught them well.", Beifong said, folding her arms, as Tenzin looks over his shoulder at Meelo and down at Jinora and Ikki, "Go on, be with your wife."
Tenzin rushed down into the temple, his children close behind. The eldest, Jinora stopped for a moment, turning to Korra.
"Korra, is that?...", Jinora asked, looking at the masked crime fighter.
"Yeah, that's him.", Korra said, "That's the Vigilante."
"He's real!?", Ikki said surprised.
Down the hall they heard the cries of a baby coming out of Tenzn's and Pema's room. When the other's reached the open door leading to that room, they saw Tenzin sitting on the bed, his hands on his wife's shoulder's who was holding a baby.
"Our new son.", she said, handing the baby to Tenzin.
He puts his finger on the baby's chin and it coos, "Hello.", he said as Meelo, Ikki, and Jinora peer into the room, "Come, meet your new brother."
The Airbending kids walk into the room with his sisters. "A brother? Well it's about time!", Meelo said.
"Welcome, I'm Ikki.", she said to the baby, "And this is Jinora and Meelo. We have a super great family and we're so happy that you're a part of it."
"What're you gonna name him?", Jino said, putting her hands together in excitement, "Can I pick?"
"We already chose a name.", Pema said, resting her head on Tenzin's shoulder
"Rohan.", he said.
Vigilante watches the scene from near the doorway, before entering, "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but more airships are coming.", he said.
Tenzin looks down at Rohan.
"Everything's not gonna be fine, is it, Daddy?", Ikki said worried.
"Don't worry, young airbender.", Vigilante growled surprisingly gently, "If the Equalist's want to get your family, they have to go through me first."
Out on the courtyard, Korra, Mako, Bolin, Asami and Beifong watch the incoming airships as the Vigilante and Tenzin.
"What do you want to do, Tenzin?", Korra asked when they stood next to her.
"I need to protect my family, and get them as far away from this conflict as possible.", Tenzin said with a sigh, "If Amon got his hands on my children... I hate to even think of it."
"If you're leaving, then I'm going with you.", Beifong said, "No arguments. You and your family are the last airbenders. There's no way in the world I'm letting Amon take your bending away."
"Thank you, Lin.", Tenzin said, before turning to the teens and Vigilante, "Korra, I want you to leave this island and hide for the time being."
"I'm not giving up.", Korra said determined.
"We are not giving up, but we can't fight this on our own.", Vigilante growled, "One man can't turn the tides, and it's a dangerous mentality to think so. That's why we need help and a plan."
"I sent word to the United Forces. They will be here soon.", Tenzin said, "And once my family is safe, I will return. With the reinforcements, we can turn the tide in this war."
Sometime later, at a large drainage pipe near the bay, where Team Avatar and the Vigilante watch in dismay as Air Temple Island is raided.
Vigilante places his hand on Korra's shoulder, "Avatar, we should get moving.", he said and he escorts them into the tunnel.
Soon the skies above Republic City is filled with several Equalist airships. As on City Hall, with Equalist airships and mecha tanks around it. Hiroshi Sato is standing on the front steps, addressing a large crowd.
"It is a glorious day, my Equalist brothers and sisters! Amon has torn down the tyrannical bending government! He has declared bending illegal and he has the Avatar and the Vigilante on the run. Our great leader has a vision for the future. One day soon, bending will no longer exist and we will live in a world where everyone is finally equal! The United Forces are on their way right now to try and stop that dream. But we will prevail!"
The crowd cheers loudly in response as in the distance, on Aang Memorial Island where the statue of Aang wearing a large Amon mask, Equalist banners are hanging from Aang's staff.
Well there ya go, hope you enjoyed.
Anyways, many thanks to everyone who reads, reviews, favorite or follows this story, you beautiful bastards!
If you liked what you read, don't forget to leave a review, for now I wish you all a fantastic day and I hope to see you ladies and gents, next time.