"Why do you always insist on carrying me?" the Avatar grumbled at Mako.
"Why do you always insist on being so stubborn?" he shot back. Korra pouted. "You tried walking remember? All of Tahno's cheap shots and falling from a twenty story roof starts to add up after a while," he continued as he walked from the ferry to the main house.
Korra sighed and allowed herself to be carried, subconsciously leaning her head against Mako's shoulder. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. She groaned.
"Katara is going to kill me."
*** Korra hissed as the elder Waterbender wrapped the glowing water around her knee. Katara hadn't said a word since the Firebender had brought Korra in. That wasn't a good sign.
"You're mad aren't you?" Katara said nothing in reply as she concentrated on relaxing the muscles around the ligament. "Look, I'm sorry. But I had to go after him. I wasn't about to let that-"
"You do not understand what is like watching someone you care so deeply for continually put their lives in danger," the old master interrupted. She didn't look up at Korra.
"But Katara-"
"You promised me that you wouldn't do anything reckless if I allowed you to compete in the match," she cut her off again. Her tone was somewhere between disappointed and angry, Korra couldn't exactly pinpoint it. "And then you return from the ruins of the arena, having done more damage to yourself because you thought it was necessary to go chase after a man who could destroy you if he even had the slightest intention of doing so." Katara's eyes burned into Korra's; a fierce battle of blue sparking between the two Waterbenders.
Korra was the first to look away. "So, forgive me if I'm a bit irritated at the moment," the old woman finished, returning to her healing process. Korra stared down at the sheets guiltily.
"I couldn't let him hurt anyone else," she finally said, almost inaudibly. "I realize what I did was completely reckless, and you have every right to be mad, but it's my duty as the Avatar to stop that madman…I won't let him harm anyone else."
Katara sighed. "Korra, I know the duties of the Avatar are infinite. But putting yourself in danger time and time again isn't going to help you become a better one. Your duty as of now is to rest and completely recuperate. You will face Amon when the time is right and not a moment before."
"But you can't expect me to sit here and do nothing while that lunatic is running around taking people's bending away," she stated. The older Waterbender shook her head.
"That's exactly what I expect you do," Katara replied. Korra looked at her and saw the concern that lay in the old woman's eyes. She sighed and looked away again, not knowing what else to say.
The old master continued to heal her student's leg, a somewhat more comfortable atmosphere filling the room. Korra let out another hiss as the actual healing process started.
"Sorry," the master apologized.
"Are you still mad at me?" Korra asked. Katara sighed and smiled a little.
"Not as much as before. Just try and not make this a routine."
The young Avatar smiled. "Wasn't planning on it."
*** "Korra?" Mako called from the door.
The young Avatar sat up in her bed. "I thought you'd be back at the arena by now," she commented.
"I just wanted to see if you were ok," he replied with a shrug.
"I'm fine. Nothing really new," she replied, knowing there was more to this visit. Mako sighed and sat down on a chair next to her bed.
"Are you sure you're fine?" he asked again. She knew what he really meant. He wasn't just asking if she was okay physically. He was asking about how she was emotionally.
"Yeah. I think so," the young Avatar replied, sounding slightly unsure. The Firebender nodded and was about to go when she started talking again. "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure," he answered, crossing his arms.
"I've-I've been having flashbacks about my past life," she said. Mako raised a brow.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I see Avatar Aang and his friends. And then there's a man…I get this strange feeling that I should know who he is but I just can't figure it out. No matter how hard I try, the name won't come to me."
"When did this start happening?" Mako asked curiously.
"When Amon knocked me out the first time I faced him on Avatar Aang's Memorial Island. And then tonight at the arena after we were electrocuted."
Mako looked at his teammate. He had already figured out the pattern. An unconscious Korra equaled another vision.
"So every time you get knocked out cold, you see another one?" he asked.
Korra frowned. "It's more like a cluster of images every time it happens. But I don't know what any of it means!" she said exasperated.
"Maybe you should talk to Tenzin about it," the Firebender suggested. "I mean, this is his father's life we're talking about. Surely he would know something."
"You're right! Maybe he can tell me who that guy is," she said making a move to get up from the bed. Mako lightly pushed her back.
"I'll get him. You stay put," he said getting up. Korra pouted but nodded in agreement.
"Mako?" she said. He turned to look at her. "Thanks." He gave her a smirk.
"No problem. Good night, Korra," he said.
"Good night," she replied after he left.
*** Tenzin walked into the Avatar's room a few minutes later, a slight smile on his face. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh, you know. Fine."
"Mako said you wished to speak with me?"
"Yeah," she replied, unsure of how to start. She took a deep breath and told the Airbender what she'd told Mako about having these weird visions and the strange, slyly grinning man she'd seen. Tenzin listened patiently, but Korra could tell something had unsettled him. The old man stroked his long beard thoughtfully.
"My father often talked about his visions," he finally replied. "He told me it was usually Roku's way of messaging him."
"So you think Avatar Aang is trying to tell me something?" Tenzin made no indication that had been what he meant. "And what about the man? Who is he?"
"A criminal, I suppose by the way you describe him. And a dangerous one at that, if it forced my father into the Avatar State." Korra frowned.
"What aren't you telling me?" she asked after a moment of silence. Tenzin averted his eyes from the Avatar and did not answer. Korra's frown deepened. "You know who the man is, don't you?"
"No."
"Yes, you do. Don't lie to me," Korra growled.
"Why would I lie to you, Korra?" The Waterbender paused. "Now I suggest you get some rest. You've had a long day."
"What's so important about that man?" she asked as he reached the door. He didn't reply as he shut the screen behind him. Korra sighed. That would be the last time she took Mako's advice.
*** The next morning Korra found herself being dragged to the Police Station. Apparently Lin was doing her best and asking everyone who'd been present about what they saw during the attack last night. Tenzin had escorted her down here, for he was going to help with the questioning as well. That had been a pleasant walk.
Korra leaned against one of the pillars, her crutch right next to her. She was only using it to make Katara happy…she wasn't thrilled with having to use it again. Right now, she was sure they were interviewing Hiroshi Sato. Which they had been doing for about twenty minutes. Korra sighed, squeaking her boot against the floor.
"Hey, Korra." The Avatar looked over at the bench she was standing by and saw…Tahno? No, it couldn't be. The man she saw was nowhere near as imposing. And he didn't radiate the same self-centered aura, his hair was flat and lifeless and she was certain he was paler than usual. He looked awful…but yet…it was him.
"Tahno?" she asked. The former Waterbender tried to smile but it didn't exactly reach his eyes.
"Yeah, it's me. Or at least what's left of me." His voice was hollow, like all the life had been sucked out of him. He eyed the crutch she had under her arm. Korra saw something flicker through his pale eyes before he looked away. "Sorry about that," he said, his voice sounding sincere. Korra looked down at the stick and then shrugged taking a seat next to her ex-rival.
"Look, Tahno, I know we aren't exactly friends…but I'm sorry you had your bending taken away." The ex-pro-bender sighed.
"I've been to the best healers in the city…whatever Amon did to me…its permanent." He sounded so…defeated. Then he turned to look at her again and there was a little spark in his eyes, determination maybe. "You got to get him for me," he said. Korra placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded. A silent promise from one Water Tribe member to the other.
"Don't worry. He won't get away with this." Tahno nodded back.
"Mr. Sato, please inform us if you remember anything else." Both teens turned to see Lin, Tenzin and Hiroshi walking toward them.
"I will. These Equalists need to pay for what they've done," Hiroshi replied. The Future Industries tycoon noticed Korra and nodded at her before leaving the station. Lin and Tenzin then turned their attention to Tahno.
"We're ready for you," Tenzin stated, staring at the boy before him. Tahno stood, making to follow the two adults before turning to look at the Waterbender.
"See you around then…Avatar," he said with a slight smirk, giving her a two finger salute. For a moment he looked like his old self, but then he faded and trudged after the Chief and master Airbender. Korra watched him go, an all too familiar feeling of guilt welling up inside her.
She was the Avatar. She was supposed to stop things like this from happening. Sure Tahno had been a real pain in the…well, you know. But that didn't make what Amon did any more justifiable. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair in silent frustration.
If she couldn't protect a jerk, pardon, ex-jerk like Tahno, how was she supposed to protect an entire city? Doubt started to creep its way into her mind. She remembered the dream she'd had a couple weeks ago.
"You doubt your abilities as the Avatar. You wonder if the Spirits made a mistake in picking you."
"You are right to doubt their choice. You are far from worthy of holding such power. But the Spirits have chosen me to stand against you, and I will bring the Bender's reign of terror to an end. And you will be there to witness every last second of it."
What if she really wasn't fit to be the Avatar?
*** "Hey, Korra!" Bolin greeted as the Avatar and Airbender exited the police station sometime later. She gave the Earthbender a small smile.
"Hey, Bo," she replied.
"Me and Mako are going to catch a late movie. Wanna come?" Korra looked over at her Airbending master. The older man looked from her to the Earthbending boy. He sighed.
"Just make sure she stays on the crutch," he said before looking back at the Waterbender. "Or else my mother will have both our heads."
Korra gave a short nod and turned to follow her teammate. Tenzin frowned.
*** "That movie was amazing!" Bolin yelled, imitating the different roles from the film. Mako rolled his eyes at his younger brother and glanced over at the Waterbender of their group. She'd been really quiet all night. Something was up.
"What did you think of the movie?" he asked her. Korra didn't answer, her mind was somewhere else. "Korra?" He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Huh? What?" She seemed to come back into reality.
"What did you think of the movie?" he repeated.
"Oh…it was good," she replied with a shrug. Truth be told, she couldn't have told you what they'd seen.
Mako narrowed his eyes suspiciously but said nothing as they continued their walk back to the arena, Bolin still acting out his favorite parts excitedly.
The arena was under some serious heavy duty construction. Just seeing the damage, even if it was only a glimpse, made Korra clench and unclench her fist. How could she have let this happen?
Bolin was the first to hit the hay, snores immediately reverberating throughout the apartment. Korra lay on the couch, hands behind her head, staring out across Yue Bay at Avatar Aang's statue. Mako sat down on the opposite end of the couch.
"Something on your mind?" Korra tore her gaze away from the monument and raised a brow at the Firebender. "You're never this quiet. What's up?"
She didn't answer. She just stared at him. Mako sighed. "Come on, Korra. Talk to me."
She sighed. "Maybe it was a mistake."
"What was?"
"Coming to Republic City," she whispered. "Me being the Avatar." Mako had to admit, that was the last thing he had expected. He waited for her to elaborate. "I ran into Tahno today." The Firebender visibly tensed.
"What did he say?" There was an edge to his voice.
"Nothing really. He looked so…un-Tahno like. You know, Amon took his bending. He seemed half dead. And I got to thinking about how since I came here, things have gone from bad to worse. Not to mention my pride has almost gotten you all killed." Her voice cracked. "And now there's a war starting. This is exactly what Avatar Aang had been trying to avoid." Her tone was somber now. "I just keep screwing everything up…"
"Avatar Aang screwed up a few times, if I remember right. Didn't he run away for a hundred years or something?" Mako stated.
Korra slowly shook her head. "Maybe I should have stayed in the South Pole." Mako didn't like that look she had on her face.
"Korra, you can't keep comparing yourself to Avatar Aang. And you really can't keep blaming yourself for a problem that you inherited from your past life." Korra said nothing, still not looking convinced. "And not to mention the fact that if you hadn't come along, we wouldn't have had half a chance of getting to the finals, let alone the championship. You didn't give up on us…and I'm not going to give up on you," he said gently. "I know you're going to be an amazing Avatar."
Korra managed a small smile, which the Firebender returned. "Where you sleeping?" he asked.
"I think I'll sleep down here," she said gesturing to the couch she was laying on. Mako raised a brow.
"You sure?" Korra nodded.
Mako frowned before disappearing up the stairs, only to come back a couple of minutes later with the mattress.
"What are you doing?"
"Making your bed," he stated, as if it were completely obvious, placing the bed a few feet away from the couch.
"So, where are you sleeping?"
He thought about it for a second. He really hated that cot upstairs…
"I guess I'll take the couch." She frowned.
"Well, we could, you know, share the bed," she mumbled. "I mean, it's not like we haven't before." Mako turned and looked over at the Avatar. Sure, he'd slept in the same bed with her before, but the circumstances had been very different.
"Uh…" Mako mentally slapped himself. Very smart, Mako, he thought.
"We could share the blanket," she added. Mako cursed under his breath. He knew he'd forgotten something. Another freaking blanket. He watched as Korra seemed to figit where she stood, situating her crutch in an attempt to distract herself as she waited for his answer.
He made a move toward the mattress but stopped short. He thought of Asami…they were a couple. And he knew Korra liked him. Would this be considered leading her on? That was never his intention. So reluctantly, Mako shook his head.
"Good night, Korra," he said as he settled himself on the couch. He heard her sigh and then the mattress squeaked.
"Night…" he heard her barely audible reply.
*** Hehehe...I know there's new clips that they moved into Asami's house or whatever but this our story and that aint gonna fly!
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So anyway, see you guys for the next chapt and dont forget to review! Adios!
WE OUT PEACE!